ROLEX | 'OVETTONE' OYSTER PERPETUAL, REF 5028STAINLESS STEEL WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET AND UNUSUAL COMBINATION OF SWEEP CENTRE AND SUBSIDIARY SECONDSCIRCA 1946

Dial: silvered Calibre: cal. 10 1/2 automatic, 18 jewels Movement number: 80'664 Case: stainless steel, screw-down back Case number: 493'109 Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp Dimensions: 36 mm, bracelet circumference approx. 170 mm (max. 220 mm) Signed: case, dial and movement Accessories: none

The present lot is an extremely attractive example of a vintage Rolex. Thanks to a diameter of 36 mm it is very much wearable today as it was in the mid-40s. Back then, it was uncommon for watches to have a case measuring 36mm. What enhances the rarity of the present watch even more is the unusual combination of sweep centre and subsidiary seconds. While the reference 5028 was normally produced with centre seconds, its sister reference 5026 had subsidiary seconds. To find a watch with both together is very seldom and gives it an interesting twist. What is rarer still, is the reverse of the case and reference numbers.  The reference number can be found at 6 o'clock and the serial number at 12 o'clock.  A very similar watch, no. 493'076 was sold at public auction in 2006.

Its nickname 'Ovettone' is Italian, meaning 'Big Egg', and refers to the bubble-shaped case. Due to the rotor being screwed onto the movement, more space was needed and the case back formed to accommodate that. 

Offered with a Rolex rivet bracelet this stylish model will please as a wearable everyday vintage timepiece that has been retained in lovely original condition.