{"product_id":"1938-rolex-rare-early-oyster-vintage-mens-full-size-watch-with-bow-tie-dial-stainless-steel","title":"1938 Rolex Rare Early Oyster Vintage Mens Full Size Watch with Bow Tie Dial - Stainless Steel","description":"\u003cp\u003eToday's offering showcases this very fine and rare early Rolex Oyster, made while the company was building its early Oyster line.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWithout question one of the company's greatest contributions to horology is in the area of waterproof cases. The Rolex Oyster case birthed the idea of the modern sport watch as we know it and was a key catalyst for the initial widespread acceptance of the wristwatch.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSeveral events worked to greatly popularize the watch: Sir Malcolm Campbell's land speed record attempt where he achieved a speed of 272 mpg, all done while wearing perfectly functioning Oyster. And, of course, perhaps the most well-known early event in the company's history: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/English_Channel#By_swimming\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eMercedes Gleitz's English Channel swim\u003c\/a\u003e wearing an Oyster. Following the historic event, Rolex took out a full-page ad in the Daily Mail introducing the Oyster. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat really gives the watch its personality is its uncommon and wonderfully expressive “bow tie” dial. It gives the dial a wonderful sense of rhythm and symmetry, making an otherwise time-only watch feel visually distinctive. It has strong prewar character and a graphic charm that is quite unlike the more restrained Rolex dial designs that followed. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCombined with the aged silvered surface, dark blued hands, and railroad-style minute track, the result is unmistakably early Rolex: functional, legible, and full of authentic period character rather than polished modern perfection.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe centerpiece of the watch is its original dial with wonderfully expressive “bow tie” layout associated with some early Rolex Oysters. Together with the subsidiary seconds register, railroad minute track, and blued steel hands. The original finish only enhances that sense of authenticity, giving the watch the warm, unmistakable presence of a genuinely early Oyster.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSurprisingly full size for the era, it measures 32mm in diameter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePowering the watch is its high grade Rolex caliber handwound \"hunter\" movement. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn interesting functional design element of this case is also its anti-magnetic design. It has an iron ring with cap that forms a Faraday cage around the movement protecting it from magnetic and electromagnetic fields and also offering another layer of physical protection.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt has all of its original parts down to the dial, hands, and Patent + Oyster winding crown. We were fortunate to acquire it in pleasing original condition. It clearly retains its original serial number on the back. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts stainless steel Oyster case is in excellent condition. Its fantastic bow tie dial is original and untouched, in pleasing original condition for its age. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it. We have also timed it on a machine that spins the watch in all directions simulating it being worn, and it continues to keep very accurate time. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIncluded with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. warranty on the movement and its function and a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYour watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/b\u003e Rolex \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCountry of origin:\u003c\/b\u003e Switzerland\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eModel:\u003c\/b\u003e Ref. 2081 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSerial no:\u003c\/b\u003e 50,813 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear built:\u003c\/b\u003e c. 1938\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/b\u003e Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDesigned for:\u003c\/b\u003e Men\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase material:\u003c\/b\u003e Stainless steel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase markings (outside):\u003c\/b\u003e 50,813\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase condition:\u003c\/b\u003e Excellent condition with only fairly light signs of previous polishing and a few hairlines on the back from previous opening. The back retains crisp original stamping. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCrown:\u003c\/b\u003e Original, Patent + Oyster crown\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDial:\u003c\/b\u003e Two-tone silver in \"bow-tie\" configuration, black painted radial Arabic indexes, signed Rolex Oyster Perpetual, original and untouched, only fairly mild aging\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e 32mm wide (excluding crown - 35.5mm with the crown ) by 37.5mm long lug tip to tip \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHands:\u003c\/b\u003e Original, blue steel, \"batons\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMovement type:\u003c\/b\u003e Rolex, manually wound, nickel finished, correctly signed, 15-jewel lever movement with Breguet overcoil hairspring, index regulator\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBand:\u003c\/b\u003e Leather, fully stitched, designed for fixed lug use\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWidth between lugs:\u003c\/b\u003e 16mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCrystal type:\u003c\/b\u003e Acrylic, excellent condition\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eServiced:\u003c\/b\u003e One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it. We have also timed it on a machine that spins the watch in all directions simulating it being worn, and it continues to keep very accurate time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTiming:\u003c\/b\u003e Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. We have also timed it on a machine that spins the watch in all directions simulating it being worn, and it continues to keep very accurate time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWarranty:\u003c\/b\u003e 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBox\/Papers:\u003c\/b\u003e BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReturns:\u003c\/b\u003e 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rolex","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44783677735001,"sku":"10645SH","price":3895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1219\/5194\/files\/1181349661_o.jpg?v=1788363708","url":"https:\/\/shop.connoisseuroftime.com\/products\/1938-rolex-rare-early-oyster-vintage-mens-full-size-watch-with-bow-tie-dial-stainless-steel","provider":"Connoisseur of Time","version":"1.0","type":"link"}