A rare opportunity to acquire this much sort after Gents ‘California Dial’ classic Rolex Precision Chronometer reference 3359 circa 1944 towards the end of the war. Case serial numbered 285115 dating the watch to 1944 on the Rolex date register. Has been subjected to a complete overhaul by a Rolex specialist watchmaker. In superb working order keeping accurate time, ready to enjoy and treasure!
It has a striking dial and uncommon and beautiful pink gold accents. The sepia luminous and rose gold bezel give the watch a wonderful vintage look, wears larger on the wrist due to its unique case design. It showcases the company's greatest contributions to watchmaking. The Rolex Oyster case birthed the idea of the modern sport watch and was a catalyst for the widespread acceptance of the wristwatch. Besides its highly functional design, its 18K pink gold engine-turned bezel brought a touch of extra class to the watch. Powering it is its high grade calibre 710 Rolex 10 1/2''' ligne movement with Rolex's patented Super-Balance system with early shock resistance system. The luminous dial is honest with pleasing sepia toned luminous and original "Mercedes" hands giving the dial the nick name ‘California’.
Case measures 29.5mm with out crown which was mid sized for gents back in the 30’s/40’s, designed for maximum comfort during combat on the battle field or equally in the Air. Unique and original solid pink gold engine turned bezel matching the extremely rare solid gold Rolex Oyster ‘Brevet’ (cross in relief) signed crown - this all adds character to this handsome manually wound wristwatch. Reference 3359 is housed in the original Brevetee Rolex steel case dressed with an original Rolex signed silvered dial which has wonderful patina.
The Dial: Signed Rolex Oyster Precision. The silvered dial has wonderful patina giving it a lovely vintage look, has foxing marks between 11 and 12. Blue steel lume filled ‘Mercedes’ hands with a gold gilt spear seconds hand providing a clear contrast between the aged tone of the luminous Arabic/Roman numerals with baton indexes and the surface of the dial itself. 1/5th of a second outer chapter ring with applied indices and lume plots. Luminous has dulled with age in particular to the numerals. Dial has marks and soiling all over please observe photographs.
Original Crystal: Domed crystal is in good condition.
Original Case: 29.5mm steel case with polished down turned lugs and sides. Features a unique original factory engine turned pink gold fixed bezel. Has surface hairline scratches associated with polished metals commensurate with age and wear. Downturned lugs are in good order.
Original Case Back Cover Outer: Milled edge steel screw back cover fits flush with case. Signed R.W,C (Rolex Watch Company) stainless steel numbered 285115 dating the watch to 1944 on the Rolex register. Has surface scratches and x1 pin dent associated with stainless and base metals commensurate with age and wear. Please see photos.
Original Case Back Cover Inner: Signed BREVETEE ROLEX SA GENEVE -SWISS 31 VICTORIES
HAUTE PRECISION R.W.C Ltd (Rolex Watch company) 3359. In good condition.
Original Movement: Signed Rolex Geneva 17 seventeen Jewels Superbalance Patented Swiss made chronometer ROW (numbered) 13403 . In any field, be it vintage wristwatches, period motorcars or antique fishing reels, there are definite classics that are universally acknowledged to be key units that are of the utmost historical significance. The movement in this watch, Rolex’s 10.5 ligne ( the ligne is the unit of width measurement traditionally used in the Swiss watch industry) Hunter, fits into this revered category perfectly, and is, without doubt, the most important mechanism that the company has ever created. Launched in 1923, the hand wound Hunter was the movement that replaced the venerable Rebberg that had powered the firm’s officers’ watches of the World War I era. It was the mechanism fitted to the first waterproof Rolex Oyster model of 1926 and, quite remarkably, remained in production until 1969. This long manufacturing span wasn’t in any sense because Rolex rested on its laurels in terms of innovation and research, far from it, but simply because the Hunter was so right from its first moments that there really wasn’t any feasible way of revising it. This movement is in superb working order keeping accurate time, recently serviced by a Rolex specialist watchmaker.
Original Crown/Winder: Screwback pink gold crown signed Rolex Oyster with the Brevet cross in relief. In good working order.
Strap/Band/Buckle: Recently fitted new aftermarket unauthentic good quality leather strap and steel buckle.
*Please observe photographs carefully as they form part of the description*
Please note this Rolex is over 80 years old. Shipping DHL insured registered post World wide. Buyer responsible for any taxes or duties due which may delay or hold up your shipment at destination port. (018)