62 Rolex Attractive and Fine Oyster Perpetual Cushion-Shape Automatic Wristwatch in Steel Reference 4961 With Black Radium Arabic Numerals

Estimate: € 8,000 –⁠ 16,000

Sold € 9,750

Model: Oyster Perpetual
Reference: 4961
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1948
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 9 3/4
Case N°: 616520
Dimensions: 30 mm
Signed: Dial, movement and case
Literature: Published in John Goldberger book

Rolex in 1926 gave birth to a totally waterproof case, this innovation has been one of the founding elements of almost all Rolex production and is what lies at the base of the watch offered here. But being waterproof wasn’t quite enough to make the wristwatch the essential item that Wildorf believed it could be, so in 1931 Rolex introduced the world’s first self-winding mechanism with a free rotor and the Oyster Perpetual heralded a new era of convenience and functionality. The fascinating cushion-shaped case in steel of the lot offered here comes in great conditions and is the incarnation of the ideas and dreams of Hans Wilsdorf. A further rarity is the black gilt dial with unusual radium Arabic indexes completed with the outer minute track, radium hands and the screw down the crown for the waterproof resistance.