1930s rectangular steel vintage Rolex watch (4700)
£4,295.00
Date: 1935
Case: Stainless steel, 21 x 36.5mm(including lugs)
Movement: Rolex Calibre 360 HW
Dial: Champagne with luminous batons
Lugs: 18mm
A rare, stainless steel rectangular vintage Rolex watch from the 1930s, in fabulous condition!
A 1935, stainless steel rectangular vintage Rolex watch. The case measures 21 x 36.5 mm (including lugs), with 16mm lug size. The case is signed Rolex, 31 Records Universels, Geneva-Suisse and numbered (dating to 1935), with reference 2873, to the back. The manual wind, Rolex Calibre 360 HW, movement has 15 Rubies and numbered. The champagne dial, with original patina, has luminous batons with a subsidiary seconds dial and fine blued steel hands. The dial is signed Rolex above the centre.
Rolex Calibre 360 HW
The calibre 360 HW, or better known as the HW movement, named after Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf, is the first tonneau totally in house movement. Produced by Rolex after Rolex bought the Gruen’s share at Aegler’s. Thus the calibre 300 and its derivatives was one of the last used by both companies.
It is not precisely known when the HW calibre was released, but early to mid 30’s and it is closely related to the release of the Omega T17 (ca.1934) as the two companies were trying desperately to target each others customers.
HW, remains without doubt, one of the most desirable tonneau shaped Rolex movements of the Art Deco period and the first in house Rolex products.
