Sterling Silver Rolex, Art Deco, 1926

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Sterling Silver Rolex, Art Deco, 1926

About the Item

An Art Deco vintage wristwatch by Rolex dated 1926. This unusual and rare square shaped Rolex was made in height of the Art Deco period. Sterling silver square shaped case marked Rolex and “RWC LTD” for the Rolex Watch Company Ltd and “7 World’s Records”. Hallmarked for Glasgow import into the United Kingdom in 1926. 15-Jewel (Rubies) movement signed Rolex and Swiss made. Silvered dial with black stylised Art Deco numerals. Black minute chapter and subsidiary dial for seconds. Blued steel Fancy Breguet hands. Art Deco The Art Deco period was one of the first truly worldwide movements of fashion in the arts, which reached its peak during the 1920’s and 1930’s. It had its roots in Paris just before the First World War. It took its name from Arts Décoratifs, an international Exhibition of Modern Decorative Arts in Paris in 1925. Art Deco was a stylistic about turn to the Art Nouveau movement which preceded it. Gone were the soft, curved shapes and lines and in came straight lines and the bold geometric forms influenced by cubism and the desire to be modern. Parisian designers and jewellers such as Louis Cartier and René Lalique played an important role in popularising the Art Deco mode in their jewellery and objects. Infusing their designs with bold bright colours, setting emeralds, rubies and sapphires in simple lines and elegant settings. Watch design was, as everything else, also influenced by the new modern ideal of straight lines, so watch case began to become rectangular and square shapes. However, rectangular shaped watch movements had not yet been created, so they were obliged to use round movements in square cases. Case, movement and dial signed. Case Measurements: Length (lug to lug): 32mm / 3.2cm / 1 1/4” (1.26 Inches) Width : 26mm / 2.6cm / 1” (1.03 Inches) All watches are given a full thorough service. They are stripped down to their individual parts, thoroughly checked for any obvious wear and tear, cleaned, re-oiled, reassembled and regulated. The final result is that the case, dial and movement are in pristine condition.

Creator:
Rolex
Case Material:
Silver,Sterling Silver
Case Dimensions:
Width: 1.03 in (26 mm)Length: 1.26 in (32 mm)
Style:
Art Deco
Place of Origin:
Switzerland
Period:
1920-1929
Date of Manufacture:
1926
Condition:
Repaired. Pristine, fully serviced, 2 year guarantee and full after sales maintenance service.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 23091stDibs: LU9227915511

Shop All Rolex

Rolex

While the rise in popularity of vintage Rolex watches is of no surprise to aficionados, collectors and industry experts, when it comes to contemporary luxury wristwatches, Rolex is also often the first brand that springs to mind. Not only is the company revered for its precision timekeeping and impeccable craftsmanship, but its name was designed to be memorable.

Rolex's enviable worldwide recognition can be credited in part to the genius of company founder Hans Wilsdorf. When the German-born watch dealer and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, set up their London enterprise, in 1905, they called it Wilsdorf & Davis, according to the traditional formula.

But Wilsdorf was determined to come up with another name that was short, would look good on a watch dial and was easy to say and remember in several languages. In 1908, he trademarked the name Rolex, and by 1920, he had moved the company to Geneva and redubbed it as Montres Rolex S.A.

But the main reasons for the brand’s success are its aforementioned commitment to precision and unflagging pursuit of innovation. In 1926, the company introduced the aptly named Oyster model. With a screw-down crown and case back, both fitted with rubber gaskets, this was the first truly waterproof watch.

Five years later, Rolex upped the ante with the Oyster Perpetual. That model’s patented Perpetual movement contained a rotor mechanism enabling it to self-wind. In another trendsetting move, in 1945, the brand debuted the Datejust, with a date window prominently displayed on the dial.

The company’s two most iconic models are sports watches. Although the Submariner, which debuted in 1953, was developed as a dive watch, its waterproof case, solid construction and good looks made it a favorite of adventurers and urbanites alike, including James Bond, who wore it in classics like Dr. No and Goldfinger. The Daytona, the racing chronograph made famous by Paul Newman, is especially sought after by collectors. Newman’s personal Daytona, which hit the auction block in 2017, sold for $17.8 million.

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