Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1953 Reference No: 6305 Movement No: H94753 Case No: 971'887 Model Name: Datejust Material: 18k pink gold Calibre: Automatic, A.296 Bracelet/Strap: 18k pink gold Rolex Jubilee Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp, stamped 3. 53 Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
At the time of manufacturer of the present reference 6305, the Datejust was not yet 10 years old. Nevertheless, it has already progressed a lot in terms of design and has by then found its own personality. This example from 1953 is a superb specimen from the golden years and has a number of qualities appreciated by collectors.
The subtle rose-coloured dial harmonises beautifully with the pink gold case and has substantial faceted spade-shaped hour markers. The date of the month is throughout in red, a typical feature for Rolex wristwatches during the mid-50s. The finely reeded bezel is the correct one for the period as is the jubilee bracelet dated 1953.
Overall in lovely and unrestored condition, one struggles to believe that it is already over 60 years of age as it does not only have a very contemporary look but could equally impress its wearer daily on the wrist.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.