First launched in 1954, the ‘Tru-Beat’ model was originally marketed to doctors and medical professionals as an aide to calculate pulse rates. The ‘Tru-Beat’ has a dead-seconds complication, meaning the second hand ticks, thus dividing each minute into segments. The ‘Tru-Beat’ mechanism was truly different than anything offered on the market.

Many watchmakers did not have the ability to repair such movements, and switched out the mechanism in favor of typical automatic movements, hence the rarity of a correct example today. Another element of delight is the watch’s provenance, having been sold at Antiquorum’s historic The Mondani Collection of 309 Rolex Wristwatches sale.

John Goldberger's Opinion

The present watch, cased in yellow gold and fitted with a mesh bracelet, is possibly the finest and most complete ‘Tru-Beat’ I have ever seen. The silvered dial is lovely. The white gold markers reflect the yellow gold case, and are acommpanied by original, perfectly round, luminous that has aged to a warm orange colour. Most striking is the ‘cross’ on the dial, usually reserved for examples cased in stainless steel.

The case features a sharp milled finish to the top of the lugs and a crisp hallmark beneath. The accompanying bracelet, stamped for the first quarter of 1962, is beautifully crafted. Less than 10 examples cased in yellow gold are known to the market today, and I particularly like that this watch is accompanied by its original guarantee and box.