Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, with underlined Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified, Ref. 1012. 18K yellow gold with a Rolex buckle. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. Circa 1962.
Case. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, screwed-down case with original crown, personalized engraving on caseback.
Dial. Silver with applied yellow gold bâton and dart indexes and radium dots. Radium-coated yellow gold "dauphine" hands. Double signed with "Tiffany & Co" and underline Superlative Chronometer Officially certified.
Movement . Cal.1560, rhodium plated, 25 jewels, straightline lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance-spring, Microstella regulating screws.
Serial Nr. 856XXX
Diameter 36mm
More about Rolex:
The Rolex reference 1012 was made exclusively in 18k yellow gold and in very small production between the late 1950's and early 60's. The watch was produced with different dials and hands, a silver or gold dial, and dauphine or baton hands. The reference 1012 was among the early modern oyster perpetual references made after production of the bubble backs and Bombay was discontinued. It was Rolex answer to the practical dress watch produced by the other Swiss manufacturers like Patek Philippe with its 2526 and Vacheron Constantin with its Chronometre Royal. These automatic dress watches with dauphine hands and luminous dial were produced in very small quantities during the same period.
This watch has its original silver dial with perfectly preserved dart indexes with radium dots. It is fitted with a beautiful set of radium filled dauphine hands. The result is not only elegant but practical. This particular watch was retailed by the famous New York jeweler, Tiffany and Co. Like a few other famous Rolex retailers around the World, Tiffany and Co. started to sign the dials of the Rolex watches which it sold in the early 1950's, and Tiffany is considered the most prestigious Rolex agent. Also, the watch has an underline below the superlative chronometer officially certified markings. The meaning of the underline is by itself a mystery. One theory is that it was made by a specific dial maker; other theories are that it was to help center the stamping of the dial or that it marked the transition from radium to tritium. Because of its rarity it has much appeal for collectors.
This watch has it all: a rare and well preserved reference in extremely good condition. A gorgeous dial and hands with a unique combination double signed Tiffany and Co. and underline. A treat for any watch collector.