A solid eighteen carat yellow gold Rolex 'Precision' dress watch. This is a very clean, handsome and classic dress watch from one of the finest names in horology. Although a simple and quite basic looking watch, these references are quite rare and desirable when offered from Rolex. Rolex is not really the name one associates with making this style of dress watch in the 1950's and '60's. Watches like this are much more common from their competitors such as; Longines, Omega and Jaeger LeCoultre. Therefore, although not what people often look for when it comes to Rolex, they are sought after and desirable.

The thirty four and a half millimeter case is a fine and unadorned design. A thin outer bezel allows the watch to wear bigger than its millimeters would suggest. It is quite big for the time and model. Often these are thirty three millimeters. The clean drop lugs are flat, not beveled in any way. The Rolex coronet features on the winding crown. The snap-back case back features the Rolex coronet engraved into it. However, the unique serial number that is engraved below it has mostly rubbed away now. Quite often with these watches this is gone. t was very finely engraved into the case back, and has not resisted the over sixty years of wear.

The movement inside the case is a Rolex seventeen jewel, manual wind, calibre 215. The case is fully signed inside and out, as mentioned still showing the Rolex coronet on the outside. Inside the case is the model reference number of 9971J. The watch dates to the circa 1960's.

The dial is quite classic of these elegant more dressy watches from the time. The dial is original, unrestored, and is showing no damage or patina. It is quite common for these watches to be restored/refinished as the sealing is quite poor and susceptible to moisture seeping in, if not well cared for. Therefore finding these examples in this condition is also rare. The hands are original Rolex gold dauphine hands, with the center mounted gold sweep second hand. The case is sharp and shows no polishing, again rare from a watch now over sixty years old. There are two sharp, original, assay marks stamped into two opposing lugs. These dress watches were no-lume dials so you do not find any lume plots on the hour markers or any recess in the hands. 

The watch is presented on a period correct solid fourteen carat yellow gold bracelet that is not made by Rolex, but was jeweller made and added to the watch around the time of manufacture. It was quite often the case for the retail store selling these watches to provide a series of bracelet options to add to the watch, if so desired. It is very possible to remove the bracelet from the head and add a leather strap, if so desired. A leather band will be sold along with the watch in a colour of the buyer's choosing.

This is a superb example of refined Rolex elegance with examples in original condition hard to find. The watch comes with an original green leather Rolex box.  Although this would look more at home under a dress shirt, or paired with a jacket and pants, it does not look out of place with a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.  

The watch has recently been serviced. There are no original papers with the watch. The watch will come with a Foundwell one year warranty upon purchase.