Today's offering showcases this quite uncommon and pleasing Rolex Oyster Athlete made c. 1942. We've been wanting to get our hands on one of these for a number of years, and finally have. This is the very first Athlete that we've owned.

As you probably suspect, the Athlete was so named because its special early Oyster case was built to be impermeable to water and sweat, perfect for athletes. While not a large watch, it is bigger than many other similar early Oysters. Rugged yet elegant it measures 32mm in diameter without the crown by 40mm long, and the case is thick and solid.

Its an incredibly interesting model for the Rolex collector.

Powering the watch is its original Rolex "hunter" movement with Super Balance system for great accuracy. The dial has wonderful Mercedes hands and large luminous numbers, original suitable for swimming and diving uses.

Our Athlete has all of its original parts down to all hands and its original Rolex + Oyster winding crown. The dial, which is very well restored in vintage times, and could pass as original to an untrained eye, gives the watch an original look, and the luminous looks great.

Its case, which has a wonderful design and well-balances function with elegant form, is in excellent condition, strongly retaining its original case number.

One of our Master Watchmakers who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker (for many years now Rolex does not "certify" they only "train"), has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components with genuine Rolex parts, installing a new correct mainspring and crown gasket, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and timing, testing and regulation (a $795 value).

For the finishing touch we have equipped it with a brand new crocodile strap and aftermarket Rolex style buckle making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a full-page custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity.

A pleasing Athlete for the discerning collector.

• Manufacturer: Rolex
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Serial no.: 212,992
• Year built: c. 1942
• Model: Oyster Athlete, Ref. 4127
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: Stainless steel
• Case markings (inside): Rolex S.A., Geneva Suisse, 31 Victories, Brevetee Haute Precision, R.W.C.Ltd, 4127
• Case marking (outside): Stainless Steel, R.W.C., 212,992
• Case condition: Excellent with fairly mild to moderate wear to the case grooves used for opening as expected for early Oysters and light remnants of wear to the back
• Dimensions: 32mm wide (excluding crown) by 40mm long, 12.2 thick
• Crown: Original, signed Rolex + Patent
• Dial: Salmon, signed Rolex Oyster Athlete and Swiss Made, luminous Arabic numerals, very well restored in vintage times - could pass as original to an untrained eye and gives the watch an original look. Excellent condition with only light aging. The luminous looks great.
• Hands: Original, blue steel luminous "Mercedes", excellent condition
• Movement type: Rolex hunter, nickel finished 17-jewel lever movement with Breguet overcoil hairspring, index regulator, adjusted to two positions, Super Balance system
• Movement markings: Rolex, Geneva, Swiss, Seventeen Jewels, Adjusted 2 positions, Patented, Superbalance
• Band: Crocodile, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn with aftermarket Rolex style buckle
• Width between lugs: 17mm
• Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition
• Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker (for many years now Rolex does not "certify" they only "train"), has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components with genuine Rolex parts, installing a new correct mainspring and crown gasket, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and timing, testing and regulation (a $795 value).
• Timing: Timed on a state-of-the-art computerized system. 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 experienced team of four watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts.
• Warranty: 1-year C.O.T. international warranty.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide