119
Rolex
Ref. 6564
“Oyster Perpetual”
A spectacular, rare, and very well-preserved pink gold wristwatch with bracelet
- Estimate
- $20,000 - 40,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1955
- Reference No
- 6564
- Movement No
- 633’391
- Case No
- 193’581
- Model Name
- “Oyster Perpetual”
- Material
- 18K pink gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1030, 25 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K pink gold Rolex bracelet, max overall length 195mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K pink gold Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 1.56
- Dimensions
- 34mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Rolex is the king of tool watches and while the names Submariner, Explorer and GMT-Master are icons in the world of horology, the “Oyster Perpetual” is one of the most important timepieces ever produced by any brand. First released at the turn of the 20th century, Rolex’s “Oyster Perpetual” was the first waterproof self-winding wristwatch.
The reference 6564 was in production for a relatively short period of time from 1954 to 1959 as a time-only, no date wristwatch and is a transitional model between the early bubble back watches of the 1940s and more modern examples from the 1960s. While Rolex was offering the Submariner and Explorer models during this period, a reference 6564 cased in prestigious, solid gold appealed to a wealthy civilian customer who wanted a simple yet sporty timepiece with chronometric accuracy.
The present “Oyster Perpetual” impresses with its spectacular original condition and lovely linen textured dial. Extremely rare in 18 karat pink gold and fitted with its original 18 karat pink gold bracelet, the present watch is a treasure of 1950s horology for the discerning collector.
The reference 6564 was in production for a relatively short period of time from 1954 to 1959 as a time-only, no date wristwatch and is a transitional model between the early bubble back watches of the 1940s and more modern examples from the 1960s. While Rolex was offering the Submariner and Explorer models during this period, a reference 6564 cased in prestigious, solid gold appealed to a wealthy civilian customer who wanted a simple yet sporty timepiece with chronometric accuracy.
The present “Oyster Perpetual” impresses with its spectacular original condition and lovely linen textured dial. Extremely rare in 18 karat pink gold and fitted with its original 18 karat pink gold bracelet, the present watch is a treasure of 1950s horology for the discerning collector.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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