Rolex

• cal. 1040 automatic nickel lever movement, 26 jewels, mono-metallic compensation balance, adjusted to 5 positions and temperature, unusual jumping seconds mechanism • satin finished silvered quartered dial, applied faceted baton and luminescent dot numerals, black jumping centre seconds hand • stainless steel Oyster case, polished chamfered bezel, screw-down crown and back • case, dial and movement signed • with a stainless steel Rolex bracelet and folding clasp

Automatic movement running while cataloguing. Dial is lightly spotted throughout and with some light scuffs at 11 o'clock, between 2 and 3 o'clock, and 5 o'clock. Case and bracelet with minor scuffs, but overall the watch is in very good condition. REF 6556. Serial numbered 139477. Case back 6556 - I.56. Rare and collectable.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

The Tru-beat was designed to have a seconds hand that jumped exactly to each seconds marker rather than moving several times each second, as is more normally found in mechanical watches. To emphasize the point, the original Rolex advertisements for the Tru-beat showed an image of a grasshopper jumping to each calibrated second on the watch's dial.

The origins of this watch lie in the creation, by the movement maker Chezard, of the calibre 115, a dead seconds movement. This was followed by companies like Omega and Doxa who created their own versions. Rolex followed the lead by modifying their calibre 1030 to produce the 1040. As a movement it is extremely difficult to work on, a fact borne out by the many Tru-beat watches that have had the dead seconds mechanism stripped out. This also means that there are very few intact examples of the Tru-beat.