This solid gold men’s Rolex Oyster Precision has a little extra sauce, in the desirable Super Oyster crown. Model reference 6020.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
From the serial number on the inside of the case back, which matches the one between the bottom lugs, we can accurately date this watch to being made in 1951. We also have a letter from 1967 from a solicitors acting as executors of a will to say that a Rolex watch was part of the addressees brothers estate – it doesn’t specify this exact watch, but it did come with the watch and is an interesting addition.
CONDITION
What is a Super Oyster crown? Rolex Oyster cased watches normally have a screw down crown, but in the early fifties Rolex used a non screw down crown called the Super Oyster. While they reverted back to a screw down crown in 1953, these non screw down crowns do mean that the potentially expensive replacement of a vintage screw down crown and tube will never be needed on this watch. Plus of course it is more convenient not to have to unscrew a crown when the watch needs winding. The screw down caseback, which does have a mark on the outside, has some interesting things on the inside. It is stamped for 10K gold, but then also assayed for 9k gold, imported into Glasgow in 1951. The metal will be 10k gold, but UK assay offices judge in either minimum of 9, 14 or 18k gold standards. It was likely that the watch was intended for the US market, where 10k is a standard, but then diverted to the UK when it was new. The movement is Rolex’s 17 jewel 710 calibre, with the Breguet overcoil ‘Super Balance’ balance. It is all running well. The case size is small for a man’s watch today, but normal for 1950 – the Patek Philippe Calatrava ref’ 96 is the same size. The case hasn’t been polished, so will show some marks, but the dial is very nice. The leaf hands are great too, with the blued centre second hand being an extra touch. The leather strap is new, and could be swapped for a different colour or material if preferred. The watch is signed on the dial, case, movement and crown.
This watch will be supplied with our branded and reusable zipped travel case and cleaning cloth, and our Certificate of Authenticity.
This watch has been checked against the Watch Register and has not been reported as lost, stolen or implicated in fraud, and a copy of that certificate will also be included.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 32.8 mm
Width without crown 30.2 mm
Between lugs 17 mm
Lug to lug length 36.5 mm
Case Thickness 11.7 mm
All sizes are approximate. The watch is photographed on a wrist of 190mm/7.5 inches.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
From 1st September 2021 we will be planting a tree for every watch we sell, working with the International Tree Foundation (Est 1922) to make this business positive on carbon. By buying anything pre owned you are effectively reusing what already exists, but this takes it further and makes us feel good.
