Rolex Ladies Cocktail Watch Manual Wind - 1920s - 9ct Rose Gold - Britannic Bracelet - Silver Guilloche Dial

Specifications

Year: 1923 - 1924
Box/Papers: No/No/Yes - TWW Authenticity Guarantee Card

Reference: 3690 case number
Case size: 24mm (27mm with crown)
Movement: Rolex Manual Wind 
Crystal: Mineral
Strap Size: The stretch bracelet will comfortably fit a wrist between 160mm/6.3in and 185mm/7.28in approx.

History

This is a special and authentic piece of Rolex history hallmarked at the Glasgow Assay Office, which indicates that this watch was imported into Britain by the Rolex Watch Co. Ltd. and assayed between 1 July 1923 and 30 June 1924. The solid 9ct rose and yellow gold Rolex-signed case features a three-piece hinged, pocket-watch style opening mechanism. It represents a fascinating transitional era in horological history, charting the early evolution of the Rolex brand. In the 1920s, luxury watch cases were entirely hand-fitted; every single hand-finished case and hinged frame was micro-adjusted to fit one specific watch body.

Beautifully preserved and original to the watch, the piece is completed by a premium 9ct gold "Britannic" expanding stretch bracelet, stamped with the British registered design number 541109 (originating from the 1909 patent framework). Invented and engineered by the renowned British manufacturing jeweller Edwin Harrop, the Britannic design was the premier luxury expansion band of the era. This style of bracelet even earned personal praise from Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf for its craftsmanship and comfort.

In the Rolex Vade Mecum, Hans Wilsdorf noted:
"Next came the idea of expanding bracelets, which an important jewellery firm invented and launched in about 1906. This too won the approval of our British clientele ... [and] became increasingly popular throughout the Empire."

This elegant timepiece features a rare, authentic metal Guilloché dial with an intricate engine-turned pattern cut directly into the surface, which remarkably remains in exceptional condition for a watch that is over 100 years old! The original, high-grade 15-jewel manual-wind movement is stamped "ROLEX PATENT", a standard practice during this era to protect the early design innovations of Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf. Remaining in outstanding condition for its age, the watch is running very well and keeping good time within vintage specifications.

Condition

Dial - The dial remains in remarkably beautiful vintage condition with all features still perfectly defined and unworn.

Case - The solid 9ct rose gold (and yellow gold inner) case is in fantastic shape for a watch of this age and shows just light common signs of wear. 

Crown - The large and easy to operate period crown remains in excellent used condition, working perfectly. Please note that this watch is delicate and the crown should be operated very gently and carefully. 

Movement - The watch encases its original Rolex manual wind movement which is working very well for its age and keeping good time within vintage specification.

Case back - The original 9ct gold, pocket watch style case back shows light common signs of wear, displaying it's Rolex and British import markings, hallmarking and numbering clearly.

Strap - This piece has its original Britannic 9ct gold stretch bracelet, which is in excellent vintage condition and shows light common wear.

Crystal - The crystal is in exceptional condition, with only few little signs of wear visible only under a loupe.

For a watch of this age, this piece is in spectacular order and is ready to wear!

If you have any further questions about this piece, please don’t hesitate to contact us via email or Instagram.

@thewristwatcher1

thewristwatcher1@gmail.com

Terms of sale

Please note these are vintage timepieces and their timekeeping abilities will never be the same as modern equivalents. We ensure that all of our watches are keeping time within vintage specification. We categorise watches as keeping good time when they’re running within +/- 60 seconds per day.

We are a registered limited company and can be found on Companies House and therefore are legally required to accept returns within 14 days and provide our customers with fully authentic timepieces.

We guarantee the full authenticity of all out of timepieces. Each piece is fully tested and inspected by our watchmaker to ensure both full functionality and authenticity.

International customers are responsible for customs charges when receiving a purchase.

We cannot guarantee any water resistance due to the age of these watches.

Returns

Customers may return their purchased item within 14 days of delivery date as long as the item(s) are returned in the same condition as received.

International buyers are responsible for customs charges that apply when returning an item.

JM55