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1970s 9ct gold Rolex precision vintage watch
A fine and elegant 1971 Rolex Precision wristwatch, presented in a beautifully proportioned solid 9ct gold case, fully hallmarked for London 1971. Measuring 33mm in diameter, excluding the winding crown, this classic vintage Rolex displays the understated elegance and refined styling associated with the company's dress watches of the 1960s and early 1970s.
The attractive white dial features elegant baton hour markers positioned at five-minute intervals, with the famous applied Rolex crown emblem at the 12 o'clock position. The dial is signed Rolex Precision and features a centrally mounted seconds hand, giving the watch a clean, balanced and timeless appearance.
The simplicity of the dial, together with the warm tones of the gold case, creates a particularly elegant combination. This restrained design is characteristic of Rolex's traditional dress watches, which placed great emphasis on clarity, quality and enduring style.
The Gold Case – David Shackman & Sons
The solid 9ct gold case bears the maker's mark DS&S, identifying the respected British watch case manufacturers David Shackman & Sons, and is fully hallmarked for London 1971.
David Shackman & Sons were established British manufacturing jewellers and specialist makers of precious-metal watch cases and bracelets, with premises at Golden Square in London and the Chiltern Works in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.
The company became particularly well regarded for the quality of its gold watch cases, supplying several prestigious Swiss manufacturers, including Rolex, Omega and Jaeger-LeCoultre. Their craftsmanship and attention to detail made them an important part of the British watch trade during the middle decades of the twentieth century.
During this period, it was common practice for Swiss watch manufacturers to supply their movements and dials to the British market, where they were fitted into locally manufactured precious-metal cases. This arrangement was influenced by import duties and enabled manufacturers such as Rolex to offer watches combining Swiss precision engineering with traditional British goldsmithing.
For many years, the Birmingham firm Dennison had been one of Rolex's principal British case suppliers. However, following the closure of Dennison in 1967, David Shackman & Sons became a major supplier of gold cases for Rolex watches intended for the United Kingdom.
The presence of the DS&S hallmark on this 1971 Rolex Precision is therefore particularly significant, placing the watch within an interesting period of British Rolex production when Shackman was supplying gold cases to the company.
The London assay marks further confirm the case's 9ct gold content and its hallmarking in 1971, providing an important historical record of this attractive vintage wristwatch.
The Rolex Calibre 1225 Movement
Housed within is the highly regarded Rolex Calibre 1225, a finely engineered 17-jewel, Swiss manual-winding movement, signed Rolex Montres, 17 Jewels, Swiss.
The Calibre 1225 belongs to an established family of Rolex mechanical movements developed for the company's Precision range during the middle decades of the twentieth century. These movements were designed to offer accurate and dependable timekeeping, combining traditional Swiss watchmaking techniques with the quality of engineering for which Rolex had become internationally renowned.
Operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, equivalent to six beats per second, the Calibre 1225 represented a development over the slower-beating movements commonly found in earlier wristwatches. Its balance and escapement were designed to provide a consistent and controlled release of energy from the mainspring, contributing to stable and reliable timekeeping.
The movement incorporates 17 synthetic ruby jewels, carefully positioned at important bearing points within the mechanism to reduce friction and wear. This traditional jewelled construction helps preserve the smooth operation and longevity of the movement's delicate components.
The Calibre 1225 is also fitted with a shock-protection system designed to help protect the delicate balance staff against the everyday knocks and movements encountered during normal wear. This was an important feature in the development of reliable mechanical wristwatches.
With a power reserve commonly quoted at approximately 58 hours when fully wound, the calibre reflects the practical engineering and dependable construction associated with Rolex's hand-wound movements of this period.
The movement features a centrally mounted seconds hand, giving the watch its familiar three-hand dial arrangement. This provides a particularly clean and elegant appearance, with the seconds displayed around the outer edge of the dial rather than on a separate subsidiary seconds register.
Unlike Rolex's automatic Perpetual models, the Precision range retained the traditional manually wound mechanical movement, requiring the wearer to wind the watch using the crown. This simpler and more traditional arrangement remains especially appealing to collectors who appreciate the mechanical craftsmanship of vintage wristwatches.
The Calibre 1225 was used in a number of Rolex Precision models during the 1960s and 1970s and is today appreciated for its robust construction, traditional engineering and association with some of the company's most elegant vintage wristwatches.
The watch is fitted with a 16mm lizard leather strap, complementing the warm gold case and enhancing its elegant appearance. With its comfortable 33mm case diameter, this is a beautifully proportioned vintage dress watch, equally suitable for everyday wear or more formal occasions.
Servicing and Warranty
At Ascot Antique Clocks, we take great care in the selection and preparation of our vintage timepieces. This watch has been professionally cleaned, inspected and serviced by an experienced watchmaker to ensure reliable performance while preserving its original character and historical integrity.
For added peace of mind, it is supplied with a 12-month mechanical warranty covering the movement under normal use, together with a presentation box.
Please note: As with many vintage wristwatches of this period, this watch is not waterproof.
With its elegant white dial, classic baton hour markers, fully hallmarked British 9ct gold case and finely engineered Rolex Calibre 1225 movement, this 1971 Rolex Precision represents an attractive example of traditional Rolex watchmaking.
The combination of its London-hallmarked gold case, the historically significant David Shackman & Sons maker's mark, and its quality Swiss manual-winding movement makes this a particularly appealing vintage wristwatch, bringing together the finest traditions of British case-making craftsmanship and Swiss precision engineering.
Watch Details
Brand: Rolex
Model: Precision
Year: 1971
Period: Vintage, Early 1970s
Case Material: Solid 9ct Gold
Case Maker: David Shackman & Sons
Case Maker's Mark: DS&S
Case Shape: Round
Case Size: 33mm Diameter, Excluding Crown
Hallmarks: London 1971
Dial: White Dial with Baton Hour Markers
Hour Markers: Baton Markers at Five-Minute Intervals
Dial Signature: Rolex Precision
Dial Emblem: Applied Rolex Crown at 12 O'Clock
Seconds: Centre Seconds Hand
Movement: Rolex Calibre 1225
Movement Type: Manual Wind
Jewels: 17 Jewels
Escapement: Swiss Lever
Frequency: 21,600 Vibrations per Hour
Power Reserve: Approximately 58 Hours (Calibre Specification)
Shock Protection: KIF
Movement Signature: Rolex Montres, 17 Jewels, Swiss
Strap: Lizard Leather
Strap Width: 16mm
Condition: Professionally Cleaned and Serviced
Warranty: 12-Month Mechanical Warranty
Water Resistance: Not Waterproof
Presentation: Supplied with a Presentation Box
A fine and elegant 1971 Rolex Precision wristwatch, presented in a beautifully proportioned solid 9ct gold case, fully hallmarked for London 1971. Measuring 33mm in diameter, excluding the winding crown, this classic vintage Rolex displays the understated elegance and refined styling associated with the company's dress watches of the 1960s and early 1970s.
The attractive white dial features elegant baton hour markers positioned at five-minute intervals, with the famous applied Rolex crown emblem at the 12 o'clock position. The dial is signed Rolex Precision and features a centrally mounted seconds hand, giving the watch a clean, balanced and timeless appearance.
The simplicity of the dial, together with the warm tones of the gold case, creates a particularly elegant combination. This restrained design is characteristic of Rolex's traditional dress watches, which placed great emphasis on clarity, quality and enduring style.
The Gold Case – David Shackman & Sons
The solid 9ct gold case bears the maker's mark DS&S, identifying the respected British watch case manufacturers David Shackman & Sons, and is fully hallmarked for London 1971.
David Shackman & Sons were established British manufacturing jewellers and specialist makers of precious-metal watch cases and bracelets, with premises at Golden Square in London and the Chiltern Works in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.
The company became particularly well regarded for the quality of its gold watch cases, supplying several prestigious Swiss manufacturers, including Rolex, Omega and Jaeger-LeCoultre. Their craftsmanship and attention to detail made them an important part of the British watch trade during the middle decades of the twentieth century.
During this period, it was common practice for Swiss watch manufacturers to supply their movements and dials to the British market, where they were fitted into locally manufactured precious-metal cases. This arrangement was influenced by import duties and enabled manufacturers such as Rolex to offer watches combining Swiss precision engineering with traditional British goldsmithing.
For many years, the Birmingham firm Dennison had been one of Rolex's principal British case suppliers. However, following the closure of Dennison in 1967, David Shackman & Sons became a major supplier of gold cases for Rolex watches intended for the United Kingdom.
The presence of the DS&S hallmark on this 1971 Rolex Precision is therefore particularly significant, placing the watch within an interesting period of British Rolex production when Shackman was supplying gold cases to the company.
The London assay marks further confirm the case's 9ct gold content and its hallmarking in 1971, providing an important historical record of this attractive vintage wristwatch.
The Rolex Calibre 1225 Movement
Housed within is the highly regarded Rolex Calibre 1225, a finely engineered 17-jewel, Swiss manual-winding movement, signed Rolex Montres, 17 Jewels, Swiss.
The Calibre 1225 belongs to an established family of Rolex mechanical movements developed for the company's Precision range during the middle decades of the twentieth century. These movements were designed to offer accurate and dependable timekeeping, combining traditional Swiss watchmaking techniques with the quality of engineering for which Rolex had become internationally renowned.
Operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, equivalent to six beats per second, the Calibre 1225 represented a development over the slower-beating movements commonly found in earlier wristwatches. Its balance and escapement were designed to provide a consistent and controlled release of energy from the mainspring, contributing to stable and reliable timekeeping.
The movement incorporates 17 synthetic ruby jewels, carefully positioned at important bearing points within the mechanism to reduce friction and wear. This traditional jewelled construction helps preserve the smooth operation and longevity of the movement's delicate components.
The Calibre 1225 is also fitted with a shock-protection system designed to help protect the delicate balance staff against the everyday knocks and movements encountered during normal wear. This was an important feature in the development of reliable mechanical wristwatches.
With a power reserve commonly quoted at approximately 58 hours when fully wound, the calibre reflects the practical engineering and dependable construction associated with Rolex's hand-wound movements of this period.
The movement features a centrally mounted seconds hand, giving the watch its familiar three-hand dial arrangement. This provides a particularly clean and elegant appearance, with the seconds displayed around the outer edge of the dial rather than on a separate subsidiary seconds register.
Unlike Rolex's automatic Perpetual models, the Precision range retained the traditional manually wound mechanical movement, requiring the wearer to wind the watch using the crown. This simpler and more traditional arrangement remains especially appealing to collectors who appreciate the mechanical craftsmanship of vintage wristwatches.
The Calibre 1225 was used in a number of Rolex Precision models during the 1960s and 1970s and is today appreciated for its robust construction, traditional engineering and association with some of the company's most elegant vintage wristwatches.
The watch is fitted with a 16mm lizard leather strap, complementing the warm gold case and enhancing its elegant appearance. With its comfortable 33mm case diameter, this is a beautifully proportioned vintage dress watch, equally suitable for everyday wear or more formal occasions.
Servicing and Warranty
At Ascot Antique Clocks, we take great care in the selection and preparation of our vintage timepieces. This watch has been professionally cleaned, inspected and serviced by an experienced watchmaker to ensure reliable performance while preserving its original character and historical integrity.
For added peace of mind, it is supplied with a 12-month mechanical warranty covering the movement under normal use, together with a presentation box.
Please note: As with many vintage wristwatches of this period, this watch is not waterproof.
With its elegant white dial, classic baton hour markers, fully hallmarked British 9ct gold case and finely engineered Rolex Calibre 1225 movement, this 1971 Rolex Precision represents an attractive example of traditional Rolex watchmaking.
The combination of its London-hallmarked gold case, the historically significant David Shackman & Sons maker's mark, and its quality Swiss manual-winding movement makes this a particularly appealing vintage wristwatch, bringing together the finest traditions of British case-making craftsmanship and Swiss precision engineering.
Watch Details
Brand: Rolex
Model: Precision
Year: 1971
Period: Vintage, Early 1970s
Case Material: Solid 9ct Gold
Case Maker: David Shackman & Sons
Case Maker's Mark: DS&S
Case Shape: Round
Case Size: 33mm Diameter, Excluding Crown
Hallmarks: London 1971
Dial: White Dial with Baton Hour Markers
Hour Markers: Baton Markers at Five-Minute Intervals
Dial Signature: Rolex Precision
Dial Emblem: Applied Rolex Crown at 12 O'Clock
Seconds: Centre Seconds Hand
Movement: Rolex Calibre 1225
Movement Type: Manual Wind
Jewels: 17 Jewels
Escapement: Swiss Lever
Frequency: 21,600 Vibrations per Hour
Power Reserve: Approximately 58 Hours (Calibre Specification)
Shock Protection: KIF
Movement Signature: Rolex Montres, 17 Jewels, Swiss
Strap: Lizard Leather
Strap Width: 16mm
Condition: Professionally Cleaned and Serviced
Warranty: 12-Month Mechanical Warranty
Water Resistance: Not Waterproof
Presentation: Supplied with a Presentation Box