Rolex C.1946 30mm Oyster Speedking Precision Ref.4220 manual winding in Steel

Description

Vintage. No box or papers but a Passions box will be given.

This Rolex Oyster Speedking dates to 1946, just a few months after the devastating WW2 which explains the very desirable military style full radium Arabic numerals dial & blued steel hands.

The 2pc Oyster steel case has been lightly polished and a new crystal replaced so it presents very well. Case bezel and lugs are thick with little wear over the ages. The internal of the back cover is polished with circular grain, stamped 31 Victoires and RWC Ltd. If you’re sharp, there’s actually a spelling mistake where HAUTE PRECISION has the C stamped with O but nothing to be alarmed of and unlikely to add extra value for the error which happens for even present day production watches.

The 17 rubies movement is in good condition, takes about 12 winds to full and keeps time but this is not a chronometer and being over 70yrs old so it will not be accurate. Do bear in mind that these vintages are not water resistant nor shock-proof so please use it with care and it can still serve you well as a daily.

The screw-lock crown is non-period correct and a later replacement (very common) but is an original Rolex. The dial is an original in a desirable style with full Arabic numerals and applied radium matched with a pair of matching pencil hands in blued steel but the radium has fallen off over the decades. Case has been polished but not recently and presents very well for it’s age.

There are many such watches out there but over half of them are in poor condition and most are with re-dials that impedes the value. An original period-correct dial+hands are the most integral part of a vintage watch and this is what you’re getting here. You may custom an olive green or aged brown leather strap to match this watch to add flavour to it.