The watch belongs to the four-digit Day-Date generation, which retained the 36mm Oyster case and the domed acrylic crystal. The attractive feature of the four-digit references lie in its "pie-pan" dial which wasn't carried over into the subsequent five-digit Day-Dates. It's powered by the self-winding Calibre 1556, a chronometer movement known for its robust architecture and non-quickset calendar function.
Founded in 1905 by the visionary Hans Wilsdorf, Rolex was born from a singular, revolutionary idea: to transform the wristwatch from a fragile piece of jewelry into a robust, precise, and reliable daily companion. This ambition was masterfully realized in 1926 with the invention of the Oyster, the world's first waterproof and dustproof wristwatch case. Proven by a triumphant swim across the English Channel on the wrist of Mercedes Gleitze, the Oyster case established the foundational pillar of the brand's identity—performance and dependability in the most demanding conditions—a standard to which every Rolex is held to this day.
Building upon this foundation, Rolex went on to pioneer the defining features of the modern watch, including the self-winding Perpetual rotor in 1931 and the date-displaying Datejust in 1945. The brand then cemented its legend by creating the "professional tool watch" category, developing iconic models engineered for specific endeavors: the Submariner for deep-sea diving, the GMT-Master for intercontinental pilots, and the Cosmograph Daytona for the world of motorsports.
Today, Rolex positions itself as the universal symbol for success, quality, and prestige. As a fully integrated manufacturer, the brand exercises complete control over every component, from smelting its own proprietary gold alloys to assembling its "Superlative Chronometer" certified movements with uncompromising precision.
Overall Grade: 8 / 10 | Great Condition, Light Visible Wear Production: est. 1976 Contents: Watch Only Genre: Vintage Dress Watch
Size: 36mm Thickness: approx. 12mm Lug Width: 20mm
Case: Solid 18k yellow gold case, mirrored sides, brushed lugs, light signs of wear Bezel: Solid 18k yellow gold fluted bezel, light signs of wear Dial: Champagne dial, applied gold markers, visible wear on tritium dots Hands: Gold baton hands, tritium lumed
Crown: Functional and original yellow gold screw down crown, light signs of wear Crystal: Acrylic crystal, light signs of wear Bracelet: Aftermarket leather strap and clasp Caseback: Solid screw yellow gold caseback, light signs of wear Movement: Automatic Caliber: 1556 Chronometer