Rolex Precision jewellery watch, white gold and diamonds, 1950s
Identity Rolex Precision jewellery watch with hinged cover, 18-carat white gold and diamonds, 1950s. Manual-winding mechanical movement. White gold case, 17 mm, crown on the flank, dial concealed beneath a diamond-set cover, diamond-set lugs. Ecru-white dial signed Rolex Precision, applied indexes, dauphine hands. Mineral crystal. White gold bracelet woven in a two-strand herringbone, clasp stamped with the Rolex coronet with safety chain. Horological context At Rolex, the Precision designation marks the manual-winding watches outside chronometer certification — a line that ranked among the maison's most sought-after in the 1950s and 1960s. Alongside the men's models, Rolex made a more discreet ladies' Precision. In the 1940s and 1950s a jewellery strain appeared: small cocktail watches in precious metal, their dial sometimes concealed beneath a hinged cover, set with diamonds and mounted on woven gold bracelets. Hand-assembled, these pieces are among the last entirely hand-crafted Rolex watches. Watchmaking then reached out to jewellery. Character The hinged cover conceals the dial beneath a scatter of diamonds forming a five-pointed star around a central stone. On either side of the case, the transition to the bracelet is made by lugs in clusters of diamonds. Woven from two strands of white gold in a herringbone, the bracelet stays supple and fluid on the wrist; it closes with a ladder clasp stamped with the Rolex coronet, backed by a safety chain. Serviced. Very good condition with patina. Supplied with the maker's box and the 12-month Contre-Temps warranty certificate.