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A Rolex Oyster Precision, ref: 6422. Produced 2nd quarter 1957.
- Manual wind Rolex cal. 1210, 17 jewel movement.
- Fitted with Rolex 6635 stretch rivet bracelet, clasp ‘2 64’ & no. 57 end links.
This is a beautiful 34mm, oyster cased ref. 6422 from circa 1957, fitted with a slightly later bracelet from 1964. A classic, without the added clutter of a date window. However, in contrast to the simple dial layout, this particular example has an eye-catching Arabic 3,6,9 quadrant ‘Chevron’ dial, with silver dagger markers and dauphine hands, the marker plots and hands filled with radium lume.
When I found this watch it was missing its handset, crown and the plexiglass had aged beyond repair and the watch was a little dirty. Furthermore, the cal. 1210 was damaged and it would not have been be easy to find original parts for. Probably the reason it was out of action. I could however its potential, so made the decision to find a nice donor movement and an original handset. After several weeks searching, I managed to source a beautiful movement & crown from the UK. And from the US, an original radium handset with uncommon, but era correct blued seconds hand.
A Personal Note:-
The uncluttered chevron dial is the start of the show, and changes dramatically depending on the light. And the watch just wears beautifully on this strap. A winning combo and a really unique head-turner overall.
Condition:-
This piece is in lovely overall condition. The case and smooth bezel, although showing signs of use from their 69 year life, remain very strong. The lugs have retained their shape with their holes remaining well defined and with plenty of metal between them and the lug edges. The reference number & serial are still clearly defined and visible.
The dial is of course showing plenty of patina, but is honest and really quite clean, especially given its age. Many of these will deteriorate in an unpleasing way. The original radium lume is present on both the dial and the handset, having aged to a darkish, cream hue. The plexiglass is brand new and replaces the original which had suffered too much age-related cracking.
The crown is original twinlock Rolex. The screw-in caseback is original to the head, with the dates matching. An interesting observation when it comes to the caseback markings, is that it is stamped with a ‘6494’, which has then been struck-through. A ‘6422’ is stamped below instead. Although this may at first seem strange, it is not uncommon for some watches from 1956/7 to be found like this. Rolex often repurposed components for different, but related, references. I see it as a lovely factory quirk!
The bracelet is a seldom seen 6635 stretch rivet item from 1964 and is in unbelievably good condition. Virtually no stretch in the links and the springs are all working perfectly and are very strong. It would not have started out life matched with this head, but for whatever reason, was with the watch when I acquired it. The 57 end links are not strictly known to be used primarily for this case, but work nevertheless. The Rolex clasp shuts reassuringly. The blades are in good condition and the coronet is well defined. These bracelets alone are highly sought after, especially in this condition.
Movement:-
The Rolex Cal. 1210 is keeping good time. If being extremely picky, the amplitude is on the lower end of where I would like to see it, if for example it had received a full overhaul. In my opinion however, it does not currently warrant undergoing a service.
I guarantee the authenticity and the working order of this piece at the time of sale, and will offer a 3 month extended warranty. Servicing the movement at cost is also an option. Although this is a sports watch, please don’t expect it to be waterproof.
Heuer Autavia 1163 GMT. Red Needles. Heuer Automatic Cal:14.
Original Gay Freres, beads-of-rice bracelet, stamped ‘4 71’.
- Freshly serviced.
This is a very rare piece from circa late 1971 or 1972, and from researching the serial, likely one of the last of this particular variant. It uses the updated Heuer Cal:14 automatic movement.
This variant is known for its distinctive red sub-dial hands, and was only produced for around 6 months. Reason being, is that it was soon apparent that these hands were difficult to see in red light by the pilots using them. A rather serious issue! These red hands were quickly replaced with black hands, making this variant extremely sought after.
This particular piece comes with a nice story, which I will briefly share-
This watch was purchased from the daughter of a garage owner, who some 40 years ago, took this watch as part payment for some work he carried out on a car. From then on it sat in a drawer, as his wife told him it was a piece of rubbish which needed throwing out! Last year, it went off to the vintage Heuer restoration team for a full overhaul. A year later, it’s almost as good as it was when it originally left the factory.
A Personal Note:-
Just look at that dial!!!! I need say no more. And I very much doubt you will find a better example. A very pretty movement hides within too.
Condition:-
This piece is in outstanding condition. Essentially, as new and unworn since its restoration. The black tritium dial is all original and in perfect condition. The tritium has developed a nice, deep cream patina. All glowing as one would expect under UV light and fading off quickly after exposure. The hands are all original to the watch and are also tritium, in great condition. They also lose their luminosity straight after being subjected to UV. The silver date wheel is original to the watch.
As indicated by the service paperwork, the head has received a new plexiglass, crown and pushers and the case/caseback are as new.
The bezel insert is the original item and is looking very nice indeed, with a little fading, but not too much. Many of these have been changed for inserts with lume pips, but this is what they would have come with originally.
The head comes with its original gay Freres beads-of-rice bracelet, stamped ‘4 71’ and is in almost as new condition. It also benefits from being full length.
It pains me to let this one go, because condition-wise, this is pretty much as good as it gets.
Movement:-
The beautiful Heuer Cal:14 is the updated version of the original automatic Calibre, and is running extremely well indeed. The crown and pushers all work as intended.
I personally guarantee the authenticity and the working order of this piece at the time of sale. This watch also benefits from being sold with the remainder of its 2 year manufacturer warranty. The paperwork corresponding to this warranty will be supplied with the watch.
Although this is a freshly restored watch, it is over 50 years old, so please don’t treat it as one which is waterproof.
A Rolex GMT Master, ref: 16758. Nipple Dial. Solid 18k Yellow Gold. Full Set.
- Automatic Rolex cal. 3075, 27 jewel movement.
- Fitted with Rolex hidden clasp Jubilee bracelet.
GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time - the time zone that regulates world clocks and is required for all aviation planning and schedules. The Rolex GMT Master has a fourth 24-hour hand that directly displays the same time zone as the standard 12-hour hand but on a 24-hour scale. The addition of this GMT hand enabled crews to set the watch to GMT or another time zone, and, using the rotating 24-hour scale bezel, correct the offset to display a second time zone on the 24-hour scale.
The Rolex Ref. 16758 was first introduced in 1980 shortly after the Ref. 16750 and was in production until 1988. Both the 16758 and 16750 featured the updated Cal. 3075 quick set date movement. In addition however, the 16758 featured a sapphire crystal and a bidirectional click spring bezel.
A Personal Note:-
From an outsiders perspective, one could easily think it’s a little too much. However, on the wrist it all just makes complete sense. The weight, fit and feel of the case are sublime. The gold/black, 2-tone harmony with nothing else distracting one’s view. The old-school vibe, but with modern enhancements makes it so useable too. It’s an absolute cracker.
Condition:-
Finding one like this again would be extremely tough. it is absolutely incredible and extremely honest. The case and bezel show only tiny superficial surface marks, and in my opinion remain completely unpolished. The lugs are very sharp with their spring bar holes remaining crisp. The crown guards are quite often rounded off on these 18k pieces, however these remain very defined and sharp like the lugs. The reference number, serial and all hallmarks are still very clearly defined and untouched.
The tritium nipple dial, under good light is showing a little patina around the centre. But it is looking splendid overall. Some of these dials deteriorate in an unpleasing way with. The original tritium lume is present on both the dial plots and the handset, having aged to a cream hue and matching the date disc nicely. The sapphire crystal is like new.
The crown is the original, as is the screw-in caseback.
The bracelet is a beautiful hidden clasp jubilee with hollow centre links and is in unbelievably good, unpolished condition. There is no more perceivable stretch than when it would have left the factory and the hidden clasp shuts reassuringly. The blades are in great condition and the coronet is well defined. Pretty much as good as it gets really.
Movement:-
The Rolex Cal. 3075 is keeping very good time and everything functions exactly as it should. Absolutely no complaints here.
I guarantee the authenticity and the working order of this piece at the time of sale, and will offer a 1 year extended warranty. Although this is a sports watch, please don’t expect it to be waterproof as it is untested.
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