Rolex Oyster Precision 6423 (1966)

A large sized stainless steel, manual wound wristwatch;

Measuring 36mm in diameter, this is one of the largest of the vintage, time only, Rolex Oyster models. The silvered dial has spear shaped indexes at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock which compliment the ‘Alpha’ shaped hands and are interspersed by tapered faceted indexes. Dating to the early 60’s, this is one of the last Rolex models to feature this type of numeral and hand configuration which had first been used in the 1950s. The dial is unfortunately no longer in original condition, it has sustained severe water damage, causing the dial to discolour, rust and mark. The hands and hour markers have too taken damage  and no longer show their gilt. Please see images as indicated in the listing. On this example sits an original Rolex riveted bracelet with code 7206 and end-links 75.

Reference 6424 considerably rare and has a number of distinctive features. First, in size terms, not only does the 6424 have a large case diameter of 36mm, but the overall length (including lugs) measures 43mm. The 6424’s lugs are un-pierced to the outside of the case, leaving an unbroken sweep to the polished case sides and are designed to take a 20mm wide strap. The larger case back of the 6424 is also shaped differently with a central satin finished circle surrounded by a broad polished chamfer.