Rolex Ladies Cocktail Watch Manual Wind - Rare 1930 - Solid 9ct Gold

Specifications

Year: 1930
Box/Papers: No/No/Yes - TWW Authenticity Guarantee Card

Reference: 516P

Serial: 37509
Case size: 24mm (27mm with crown)
Movement: Rolex Manual Wind 
Crystal: Mineral
Strap Size: Stretch bracelet

History

Dating to 1930, this is an exceptionally rare and early example of a Rolex ladies’ cocktail watch. During this period, Rolex was beginning to establish its presence in the ladies’ watch market, and this piece predates the Rolex Precision line, introduced in the 1940s and subsequently produced throughout the golden era of ladies’ cocktail watches, which extended into the 1960s.

Condition

This elegant timepiece features a solid 9ct gold case with a pocket-watch-style opening, reflecting an important period in Rolex’s history as the brand transitioned from pocket watches to wristwatches. The beautiful porcelain dial is adorned with gilt Arabic numerals and Spade-style blued hands, complemented by a solid 9ct gold stretch bracelet for convenient wear and sizing. Remaining in outstanding condition for its age, the watch is running very well, keeping excellent time within specification.

Adding to its historical interest is the inscription “7th World’s Records”, used by Rolex on early watches to highlight the company’s achievements in precision timekeeping. The number seven refers to the number of records Rolex was claiming at the time the case was manufactured.

The inside of the case back also bears a beautifully engraved personal inscription, “HH Sep 1930”.

With its early Rolex provenance, distinctive design, historical inscriptions and excellent condition, this timepiece offers a fascinating glimpse into the brand’s formative years and a wonderful opportunity to own a genuinely historic example of early Rolex watchmaking.

Dial - The beautiful porcelain dial are timeless and remain in remarkably in clean condition with only light sins of age, and tiny imperfections, which are mostly visible only under magnification.

Case - The solid 9ct 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 crown was replaced at some point in the past and remains in excellent used condition, working perfectly. 

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 markings, hallmarking and numbering clearly.

Strap - This piece has a period 9ct gold stretch bracelet, which is in good vintage condition and shows light common wear.

Crystal - The crystal is in very nice condition, with light common signs of wear visible at closer inspection.

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.

JM49