Passions Watch Exchange

About This Watch

Vintage. Comes with orig. boxes but no paper.

The late 1950s was a very exciting period for Rolex as they launched several new models that would become the cornerstone of sports watches today. This is a very beautiful Oyster Perpetual Chronometer dating to 1957 and is a rare find in such an exceptional condition including the accompanying box set that was dry stored from USA. The box and dial of the watch are almost spotless which is remarkable for something that is almost seventy years old.

The diamond-cut hobnail dial in beige is in near mint condition except for a lume dot that broke off at 4 o'clock and was running around but we couldn't save it. Otherwise, the watch is very pleasing including the spring loaded and riveted oyster bracelet. Upon dismantling the watch for cleaning, we didn't find any rust spots which means that this watch saw little moisture nor abuse over the past seven decades. The case and bracelet appears to have never been polished while the engine-turned bezel is definitely untouched with sharp features and sparkles under light. We have cleaned away the dirt in the crevices and replaced a new flat-top acrylic so the watch looks resplendent now but left it unpolished.

Have a look at the images and you'll appreciate the quality of this watch. The inner back cover is stamped with 6564 (for smooth bezel) that's cancelled out and re-stamped with matching 6565 (engine-turned bezel) which is a common practice by Rolex prior to 1980s and a manufacture code of III 56 for 3rd quarter of 1956.

We ran a check on Chrono24 and almost all of those on sale there are with poor re-dials that impacts the value. We wouldn't blame them as it is difficult to find water resistant watches that have stood up to the test for so many decades.

The Ref.6565 is a rare bird in a 3pc steel Oyster case which has an engine-turned bezel, a hallmark of Rolex design that appeared from their 1930s catalogues. It has an original matt beige dial with hobnail texture & Explorer style indices featuring the Arabic nos on the quarters. It is fitted with a chronometer rated automatic Cal.1030 and this was the movement that powered all automatic Rolexes of the era from this to Datejust, Day-date, Explorer, GMT-Master, Turn-O-Graph, Milgauss and Submariner. The movement in our watch here shines as new.

It will be quite impossible to find something like this again in this condition. The original bracelet is worth in excess of US$1500 and the vintage box alone is worth more than US$500.