VINTAGE RARE 9CT SOLID GOLD ROLEX TUDOR OYSTER AUTO WATCH+BOX

VINTAGE RARE 9CT SOLID GOLD ROLEX TUDOR OYSTER AUTO WATCH+BOX (image 3/[null, null, null, null])

VINTAGE RARE 9CT SOLID GOLD ROLEX TUDOR OYSTER AUTO WATCH+BOX (image 4/[null, null, null, null])

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source
Online Marketplace

Vintage Rare 9ct Solid Gold Rolex Tudor Oyster Automatic Watch Semi-Bubbleback, Original Condition, Model 951, Ca.1950 As most collectors know Rolex have been making watches with the Tudor name on them for many decades, using Rolex cases, bracelets, dials, hands, crystals and crowns and there is actually very little difference between the design and conception of Tudor and Rolex. Apart from Tudor watch movements generally having fewer jewels, their conception and construction were virtually identical to those of Rolex. This beautiful watch however is quite a rarity having a Harwood style bumper self-winding movement. What also makes the watch very interesting from a collector’s point of view is the fact this movement appearing in an oyster model some ten years after Rolex had introduced its full rotor version of the successful perpetual mechanism. Pictured on pages 331 & 337 of the Dowling Hess Rolex bible ‘The Best of Time’ this model stands out as extremely unusual for Rolex to use this movement. It is possible it was an experiment made in relatively small numbers but it remains a bit of a mystery in Rolex history. Tudor 951’s with this movement do appear from time to time but they are scarce. In solid gold they are very rare and a rarer watch by far than any vintage Tudor Submariner and much more interesting than a standard manually wound Rolex Oyster from the 1970s The Dial: As can be seen from the extreme close up photographs the mellowed original dial is in reasonably clean condition considering its age but it does have some age patina. Collectors know how important dial condition and originality are in defining the value of any collectible vintage watch. The fingers are also quite clean and the typically unfussy applied lumed baton hour markers look excellent. The Case: The classic Rolex Oyster solid 9ct gold case is in good condition and the gold although not rose gold, does have a reddish hue when compared to standard yellow gold. The case does not have the usual metal insert which is seen in most gold watches but appears, apart from the lugs, to be machined in one piece. It should be noted the case did not have a hallmark which again suggests something of a prototype but has since been tested by the Birmingham assay house and confirmed as 10ct gold but they had to use a 9ct laser hallmark as it falls within that category - all paperwork as proof will be included with the sale. The stainless steel screw down bubble style back is clean and bears the model number and Tudor logo to the inside together with ‘Geneva, Switzerland and Patented. The watch retains its original chunky Rolex Oyster signed screw down crown and is quite large measuring approximately 35mm (excluding the crown). The Movement : As mentioned earlier, the movement is a Swiss made 17 jewel Harwood bumper style hammer mechanism and the rotor winds the watch in only one direction with springs to absorb the impact. The mechanism is in good clean condition with a few age related frosting marks here and there as shown in the close up photographs and seems surprisingly responsive to movement keeping quite good time. No caliber number is present which is also very unusual for Rolex. The spring loaded Rolex Oyster screw down crown works as it should and winding and setting are fine though there is a little play which is to be expected in a watch of this age. The watch is supplied on a new genuine Teju lizard dark tan watch strap which suits the watch well and comes in a Mappin and Webb Vintage blue watch box which itself is in very nice condition. Thank you for looking and please see my other watches for sale PLEASE NOTE – UK SALES ONLY If any item I sell proves to be other than genuine I will refund money in full, including postage. All photographs are of the actual item offered for auction. Please look at them closely as they give a good indication of the items overall condition. Please note, measurements and weights are approximate... read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.

VINTAGE RARE 9CT SOLID GOLD ROLEX TUDOR OYSTER AUTO WATCH+BOX

Live Lots

Discover and Bid on Current Inventory Available from Our Industry Partners

(results based on your current search)