Rolex Vintage Oyster 34mm 4499 (1946)

The Rolex Oyster Ref. 4499 is a classic mid-1940s manually wound wristwatch that embodies the early spirit of Rolex’s Oyster line — durable, utilitarian, yet elegant in its simplicity. With a 34 mm stainless steel Oyster case, screw-down crown and caseback, and a slim profile, it harks back to an era when wristwatches were valued for reliability, understatement, and precision. The dial typically bears raised Arabic numerals in a style that reflects the Art-Deco influence of the period, often taking on a warm, even patina over time — a feature that lends each example a unique character and vintage charm. Inside beats a hand-wound movement, offering a tactile, mechanical connection to its heritage. For collectors and vintage-watch enthusiasts, Ref. 4499 stands out as a historically significant piece: one of the earliest iterations of the “Air-King / Oyster” lineage, and a link to the post-war era of watchmaking.

Specifications:

• Range: Vintage Oyster Precision
• Model: 4499
• Dial: Ivory / off-white
• Crystal: Acrylic / plexiglass
• Bezel: Smooth, polished stainless steel bezel
• Case Size: 34 mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Bracelet: Stainless steel
• Movement: Manual-winding Rolex “10.5” (hunter) calibre
• Water Resistance: Not recommended – vintage