A gorgeous stainless-steel Rolex Oyster dating to the 1940s, distinguished by an extremely rare configuration and strong collector appeal. The black gilt dial features Arabic numerals, an inner minute track, central seconds, and hands with radium luminous material: a particularly unusual combination that makes this example highly collectible.
The watch is presented in an exceptional state of preservation. The case retains very correct proportions and is in excellent condition; it was probably polished at some point over the years, but with great care and without altering its original shapes and geometry. The gilt dial is extraordinarily well preserved considering the age of the watch.
Of particular importance is the presence of the extremely rare original Rolex Oyster crown, a detail that is very difficult to find today and highly significant in terms of the completeness of the watch. The movement, caseback, dial, crown, and case are all original, correct, and consistent with one another and with the production period. The movement has been recently serviced; the photograph of the movement shown here was taken before the service. The leather strap and buckle are instead modern, generic, and not original Rolex components.
Overall, this is a 1940s Rolex Oyster of truly exceptional rarity and quality. What makes it special is not only the configuration of the black gilt dial with Arabic numerals, central seconds, and radium hands, but above all the overall level of preservation and the presence of original components that are now extremely difficult to find. A highly appealing example for the advanced collector, combining rarity, originality, and exceptional preservation in a particularly compelling way.