Rolex

nickel lever movement, unusually engraved with instructions to the watch maker for disassembling, compensation balance, silvered sector dial, arabic numerals, luminous hands, steel tonneau Oyster case with screw-down crown and case back, case, dial and movement signed, with a stainless steel Rolex link bracelet and folding clasp.

Interestingly the movement of this wristwatch is engraved with instructions to the watchmaker for its disassembly. Rolex patented their automatic movement with their specially designed 'Rotor' on May 16th, 1933. It is believed that the movement was officially launched either late in 1933 or early 1934 [Dowling & Hess, The Best of Time, Rolex Wristwatches, 2nd Edition, p.79]. Consequently it seems that this wristwatch was one of the earliest Oyster Perpetuals made by Rolex. As the new 'rotor' system covered the movement, it was obviously deemed helpful to provide instructions to the watchmaker on the rotor cover to assist with its disassembly. The instructions on this movement are in English, but a similar example with French instructions is illustrated in: Dowling & Hess, The Best of Time, Rolex Wristwatches, 2nd Edition, p.82.