This is a rare, all original 9ct Rolex Oyster Chronometre from 1937/38. The model reference is 2595 which is an uncommon mid-size piece. The standout element of this charming watch is the gold chapter ring around the hour markers, which glistens in the light. The Arabic numerals are another lovely touch, with the puffy aged radium lume in-fill intact. These two elements add a beautiful dimension and texture to the dial. The rare 9ct gold case is British hallmarked and is in good original condition. Inside is a beautiful and quality 18 jewel Rolex Ultra Prima Chronometer calibre, with sweep second and hacking function. This neat and handsome watch will make an excellent addition to a vintage Rolex collection.
The 30mm case is formed of 9ct and is in very good original condition. The bezel is flat with a polished finish. It is a classic Oyster case with a brushed finish on the face of the lug, falling into a polished finish on the sides. The lugs are drilled which makes spring bar removal very easy. The case back is 9ct gold and is in good original condition. The coin edge finish is in good condition. The flat surface of the rear has a polished finish. There is light surface scratching consistent with natural aging. The serial number and reference number 2595 are visible to the rear. The inside of the case back is signed “Oyster Watch Co, Geneva-Swiss, Great Britain Patents, Swiss Patents, French Patents, U.S.A Patents, German Patents, R.W.C. LTD”. It has British hallmarks for 9ct gold by Glasgow assay office, with the date letter “o” for 1937.
This is a rare and classy dial which is in excellent original condition, making this a very good example. The dial has a silver powdered finish to the centre, with an excellent gold tone chapter ring which shines in the light. The silver tone is slightly dirtied with age, but this represents a beautiful even aging to the dial. The hour markers are Arabic numerals, with a puffy original Radium lume in-fill, which is in excellent condition. This has aged to a pumpkin tone which is beautiful. The gold chapter ring is signed Fab Suisse by 6 O’clock. The exterior of the dial has a detailed second / minute track which splits into 1/5s of a second graduations, for accurate timekeeping with the sweep second hand. This is marked with Arabic numerals for every 5 second mark. Below 6 O’clock the dial is signed Swiss made, whilst below 12 O’clock the dial is signed Rolex Oyster Chronometre. This is a simple yet intriguing dial, with a couple of standout touches enhancing it into a collectors piece.
The hour and minute hands are original, of Leaf style in a thermally blued tone. They have the original lume filled centre which is in good patinated condition. The gold tone central second is also original and is in good condition. This is a very good original handset.
The crown is original. It is 9ct gold and is of classic Oyster style and is in good condition. It screws down and has a sharp coin edge. It is signed “Oyster Patent”. It screws down as it should.
The acrylic crystal is a replacement and is in very good condition.
The movement is a Rolex Ultra Prima Chronometer calibre, marked as being timed to 6 positions, with 18 rubis. The movement has gold train wheels and ruby capped end stones on the balance & escape wheels. This was the top of the range calibre from Rolex at the time. The movement has a sweep second hands, as well as hacking function.
The watch has been recently serviced by ourselves. It had some balance issues which no longer mean it has chronometer grade timekeeping. It is keeping time to +160 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 232 degrees and a beat error of 2.7m/s.
The watch is on a Black Alligator leather strap. This is non-Rolex with non-Rolex buckle.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
This is a rare and classy dial which is in excellent original condition, making this a very good example. The dial has a silver powdered finish to the centre, with an excellent gold tone chapter ring which shines in the light. The silver tone is slightly dirtied with age, but this represents a beautiful even aging to the dial. The hour markers are Arabic numerals, with a puffy original Radium lume in-fill, which is in excellent condition. This has aged to a pumpkin tone which is beautiful. The gold chapter ring is signed Fab Suisse by 6 O’clock. The exterior of the dial has a detailed second / minute track which splits into 1/5s of a second graduations, for accurate timekeeping with the sweep second hand. This is marked with Arabic numerals for every 5 second mark. Below 6 O’clock the dial is signed Swiss made, whilst below 12 O’clock the dial is signed Rolex Oyster Chronometre. This is a simple yet intriguing dial, with a couple of standout touches, that make this a great collectors piece.
Hands:
The hour and minute hands are original, of Leaf style in a thermally blued tone. They have the original lume filled centre which is in good patinated condition. The gold tone central second is also original and is in good condition. This is a very good original handset.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is a replacement and is in very good condition.
Crown:
The crown is original. It is 9ct gold and is of classic Oyster style and is in good condition. It screws down and has a sharp coin edge. It is signed “Oyster Patent”.
Case:
The case is formed of 9ct and is in very good original condition. The bezel is flat with a polished finish and has light surface scratches consistent with age. It is formed of 9ct gold. It is a classic Oyster case with a brushed finish on the face of the lug, falling into a polished finish on the sides. The lugs are drilled which makes spring bar removal very easy.
Caseback:
The case back is 9ct gold and is in good original condition. The coin edge finish is in good condition. The flat surface of the rear has a polished finish. There is light surface scratching consistent with natural aging. There serial number and reference number are partially rubbed. This is natural due to wear on the wrist over the years. The inside of the case back is signed “Oyster Watch Co, Geneva-Swiss, Great Britain Patents, Swiss Patents, French Patents, U.S.A Patents, German Patents, R.W.C. LTD”.
It has British hallmarks for 9ct gold by Glasgow assay office, with the date letter “o” for 1937.
Movement:
The movement is a Rolex Ultra Prima Chronometer calibre, marked as being timed to 6 positions, with 18 rubis. The watch has been recently serviced by ourselves. It had some balance issues which no longer mean it has chronometer grade timekeeping. It is keeping time to +160 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 232 degrees and a beat error of 2.7m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 30mm
Case width with crown: 33mm
Case length: 28mm
Case length lug to lug: 36mm
Lug width: 15mm
Case Depth: 11mm