Rolex Chronometer 1960 ‘Disco Volante’ Rare 36mm Gents Vintage 18K Gold Watch

Description: The Far-Out Rolex Chronometer 18 Carat Solid Gold 36mm nick named ‘The Disco Volante’ bearing hallmarks for Glasgow ‘1960’. Powered by the original Rolex Chronometer calibre 1000 18 jewelled movement which is much sought after and rare. The original Rolex signed satin silvered cross hatch dial has wonderful patina. A spectacular and rare Rolex dress watch with great details. Serviced by a master horologist, running beautifully keeping accurate time. Ready to treasure and enjoy! Disco Volante," or flying saucer in Italian. As others have nicely documented, the Disco Volante's roots are firmly Art Deco with Audemars Piquet, Vacheron, Patek Philippe and others making saucer-shaped cases, but Rolexes late 1950s spin refined the idea and pulled it firmly into the world of midcentury design. It's quite easy to make a simple watch look complicated, but it's very hard to make a complicated watch look simple.' The Disco Volante perfectly illustrates this." The Rolex Disco Volante is one of the less out there as they were produced in very small numbers circa 1955 to 1960. Yes, the fastball for Rolex is sport, but the Crown will surprise you every once in a while with something precious and gorgeous. It’s not often you come across a dress watch like this from Rolex, especially in 18k yellow gold with a 36mm case size. A little-known fact is that Rolex switched their focus on making high end solid gold dress watches in the 1950s to compete with Pateks, Ap’s and the Vach’s of the World (yes, the same period the brand was introducing the GMT, Explorer, and the rest), which is how this watch came to be. There are a lot of 50s and 60s Precision’s and Chronometers out there with similar traits like a manually wound movement, a solid gold thin case, – but this is something different, something special. With the concealed lug design, 36mm round case, here this watch is able to sit between dressy and casual in a way others cannot, the result is stunning in the precious metal and on the wrist. The dial and hands stand out in this example as well with great details like the small seconds sub-dial at six o'clock, the "OCC" text below 12, and the baton shape to the hour and minute hands. These are the details collectors love from dress Rolex from this period and show the true design prowess of Rolex. This Rolex was produced as part of the Chronometer and Precision range which was first introduced in the 1940's. Rolex did produce a number of minimalist, elegant gold dress watches to compete with the likes of Patek Philippe ‘Calatrava’ and Vacheron Constantin’s ‘Patrimony’. The Pateks and Vach’s are selling for 3/4 times more than this Rolex today albeit this Rolex is clearly a sleeper. Gold Rolex dress watches such as this offer enduring style to those that appreciate understated elegance. A rare vintage time piece - The understated and utterly timeless Rolex. The Original Dial: Signed Rolex Officially Certified Chronometer - Light Silvered cross hatch dial has raised gold gilt baton indexes with a raised gold gilt Rolex coronet sitting proudly at ‘12’ - Gold hand set with a auxiliary seconds dial at 6 o clock. Please note dial has patina with noticeable marks all over commensurate with age and wear. Please observe photographs. The Original Case: The case is strong with some scratches and appears to have been lightly polished. The concealed solid gold wire lugs are in good condition with some scratches on the reverse side from strap removal. Solid gold case bearing hallmarks to the side, sunken crown feature and a smooth chamfered fixed bezel. The case has hairline scratches associated with precious metals commensurate with age and wear. The Original Case Back Cover Outer: Solid gold case cover. Has surface scratches commensurate with age and wear associated with precious metals. The Original Case Back Cover Inner: Signed Montres Rolex SA Geneva Switzerland 18.750 bearing hallmarks for Glasgow denoting the letter N dating to ‘1960’. In good overall condition. The Original Movement: Signed Montres Rolex SA Geneva Swiss 18 Jewels numbered *N647209*.. Was overhauled by a Rolex specialist watchmaker with no issues to report. The watch carries its original high-grade Rolex Calibre 1000 which as can be seen in the photographs, is in spectacular condition. The movement is all correctly signed. These movements are strong, accurate and very reliable making the watch appropriate for regular everyday use, with regular servicing, every 3 years, you can expect this watch to run very happily for many more decades to come! The Original Crystal: Good condition. The Crown/Winder: Unsigned crown in good functioning order. Has scratches commensurate with age and wear - A later aftermarket replacement. The Aftermarket Strap/Buckle: Recently fitted new aftermarket unauthentic good quality vintage leather strap and gold plated buckle. *Photographs form part of the description please observe carefully* Please note this Rolex is over 65 years old and a well used vintage watch. Shipping DHL insured registered post World wide. Buyer responsible for any taxes or duties due which may delay or hold up your shipment at destination port. Additional Information; Founded in 1905 in England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, the partnership became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving to its new Geneva headquarters in 1919. The success of the wristwatch can be largely attributed to many of Rolex’s innovations which made the company one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These have included its famous “Oyster” case — the world’s first water-resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and its “Perpetual” — the world’s first reliable, self-winding movement for the wristwatch, launched in 1933. These would form the foundation for Rolex’s Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956. Also and equally importantly, Rolex is known for its sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

Price: 3250 GBP

Location: Birmingham

End Time: 2024-12-13T00:12:27.000Z

Shipping Cost: 63.55 GBP