ROLEX - an Art Deco 9ct rose gold 'Channel Swimmer' Oyster m...

ROLEX - an Art Deco 9ct rose gold 'Channel Swimmer' Oyster mechanical wristwatch, circa 1930, silvered dial with black Arabic numerals, square openwork hands, subsidiary seconds dial with octagonal case having coin-edge bezel and caseback with wire lugs, 15 jewel movement, signed Rolex Extra Prima, caseback marked Rolex 20 World's Records Great Britain Patents 260554/1925 274.789, serial no. 25491, case width 28mm, 22.5g gross, working order. Notes: Rolex's reputation for waterproof wristwatches was famously established in 1927 through British swimmer Mercedes Gleitze, the first British woman to swim the English Channel. Following her successful crossing Gleitze wore an identical model Rolex Oyster around her neck during her subsequent 'Vindication Swim'; despite more than 10 hours in the cold channel water, the watch remained watertight. An evocative association for collectors of early Rolex, Vintage watches and horological history.

Estimate:£1,000

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