This Watch

We are very excited to have an early Rolex Oyster Perpetual, model 6285, from 1953.  Rolex began producing the Oyster Perpetual in the 1950s and this earlier model has a semi-bubble case back, which came after the (full) bubble back, designed to accommodate the automatic system.  The 34mm, stainless steel case wears as a more compact watch so it is perfect for those who are not impressed by larger watches.

The polished bezel draws the eye to the honeycomb/waffle dial, complete with all arrowhead markers, a raised Rolex sign and dauphine hour, minute and sweeping centre seconds hands.  We have had the gorgeous honeycomb/waffle effect dial restored to its former glory and the watch looks like the embodiment of 1950s design!

We have paired the watch on a later, but genuine, riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet for a more sporty feel but the watch looks equally good dressed up on leather.

Hans Wilsdorf founded Rolex in 1905 at the age of 24, along with Alfred Davis in London. In 1919 they moved their operation to Geneva, Switzerland. This move was brought about by high wartime taxes on Gold and Silver in the UK after the Great war 1914-1918. They were now closer to their suppliers in Bienne. The Rolex Oyster case was released in 1926. Marketed as the world's first “waterproof” watch. The notches on the bezel and case back meant they could be screwed down to the middle case with a special tool invented and manufactured by Rolex to hermetically seal the case. In 1927 a young swimmer Miss Mercedes Gleitz swam the English channel wearing the “Oyster”. Later in 1933 the team of the first expedition to fly over Everest wore them. It was also famously worn by Sir Malcolm Campbell, “King Of Speed”, on the 4th September 1935. An advert of the time made a big splash with him saying “The Rolex watch is still keeping perfect time- I was wearing it yesterday when Bluebird exceeded 300 mph.” He broke the world land speed record 9 times between 1924 and 1936. 1931 saw the debut of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, their first self-winding watch that was also water-resistant and dustproof.

This watch has been fully serviced with our on-site workshop and comes with a 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.

What we think 

We love this watch and are proud to have revived such a stunning piece of design, making it available for the next generation.  We like to be as transparent as possible with what our watches have gone through, and we are happy to present quality craftsmanship that means these timepieces get many more years of use!  This is a watch that is perfect for him or her, it slips nicely underneath the cuff while maintaining a discreet elegance and can be switched from bracelet to strap at your leisure.

Spec Stuff