1974 Rolex Oyster Precision 6426 on Bracelet
Ref: 6426

Points of Mention

This watch is sold as "Watch Only". The watch is paired with its original Oyster bracelet with a signed folding clasp. The watch is from Circa. 1974, based on the serial numbers, and is sold in worn, vintage condition, but in overall very good condition as you can see. The dial with the gilding and luminance is in excellent condition. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

The Watch

Hans Wilsdorf founded Rolex in 1905 at the age of 24, along with Alfred Davis in London. In 1919 they moved their operation to Geneva, Switzerland. This move was brought about by high wartime taxes on Gold and Silver in the UK after the Great war 1914-1918. They were now closer to their suppliers in Bienne. 

The Rolex Oyster case was released in 1926. Marketed as the world's first “waterproof” watch. The notches on the bezel and case back meant they could be screwed down to the middle case with a special tool invented and manufactured by Rolex to hermetically seal the case. In 1927 a young swimmer Miss Mercedes Gleitz swam the English channel wearing the “Oyster”. Later in 1933 the team of the first expedition to fly over Everest wore them. It was also famously worn by Sir Malcolm Campbell, “King Of Speed”, on the 4th September 1935. An advert of the time made a big splash with him saying “The Rolex watch is still keeping perfect time- I was wearing it yesterday when Bluebird exceeded 300 mph” He broke the world land speed record 9 times between 1924 and 1936. 1931 saw the debut of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, their first self-winding watch that was also water-resistant and dustproof. The Oyster Perpetual 1013 was first introduced in 1965.

Here we have a 1974 Rolex Oyster Precision 6426 has a 34.5mm stainless steel Oyster case. The slender case has a subtle curve towards the satin-finished lugs with a lug to lug length of 41.5mm and a thickness of 10mm ensuring a comfortable fit on your wrist. On the right side, a signed screw-down crown. The polished chamfered bezel holds a domed crystal above a sunburst silver dial. An outer minute track with Tritium lume pips and applied bevel-edged gold-toned baton indexes marking the hours. Gold-toned sword hands are complemented by a tapered center second hand. Text is precisely printed with “Rolex Oyster” underneath the applied Rolex crown. At 6 o’clock you find printed “Precision”. On the reverse, a coin-edged screw-down case back. Inside a Manually Wound Rolex Cal. 1225, 17 jewels, 21,600 beats per hour. The watch comes fitted on its original 19mm Oyster bracelet with a signed folding clasp.

Personal Note