Watches like this show a very different side of Rolex, from a period when the manufacture was still creating incredibly elegant and jewellery-focused watches for women. During the 1950s and 1960s, many Rolex cocktail watches were actually made in collaboration with independent jewellers or retailers, such as Bucherer, who would use Rolex movements or watch heads in their own elaborate creations.
What makes this example particularly special is that it was made by Rolex themselves. The watch is signed throughout, including the beautiful integrated 18k yellow-gold bracelet, making it a true Rolex creation rather than a jeweller-made watch built around a Rolex movement.
The design is centred around a petite round case with a warm champagne dial signed Rolex Precision. A faceted crystal surrounds the dial and catches the light beautifully, while a brilliant-cut diamond is positioned above and below the case. The real highlight, however, is the intricate woven gold bracelet. Made from numerous fine strands of 18k gold, its twisted construction gives it an almost rope-like appearance and inspired the nickname we have given the watch.
For us, pieces like this are some of the most interesting Rolex watches to discover. They come from a period when the brand was willing to experiment with unusual forms, precious materials and jewellery design, and this fully Rolex-made example is a particularly charming reminder of that lesser-known part of the manufacture's history.
Watches like these remind us why we started to collect, find and eventually sell vintage watches in the first place!
