A Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust in stainless steel.    This watch is quite important as it marked the first year of production of what is recognised today as being the "Datejust" model.  The watch pre-1957 has been lovingly known as the "ovettone", or big egg, due to its large case back in the rear that pushed the watch higher off the wrist.  This was undertaken in order to provide room for the automatic rotor to freely rotate and power the watch.  The introduction of the new lighter and slimmer 1065 caliber movement allowed the case back to be flattened much more into the case, making it sit more flush to the wrist, and ultimately feel more comfortable to wear.

The watch is powered by an early Rolex automatic butterfly rotor movement; caliber 1065.  The watch is in original condition with light wear to the case.  It features an unusual Rolex bezel, that was found on some of these earlier models.  The silvered pie pan dial is also untouched, and in excellent condition featuring all lume plots in tact.  It is set with slim white gold markers set on each hour, and double width markers at the 6 and 9 o'clock positions. The hands are early dagger style complete with original lume.  The date wheel is the more desirable 'roulette wheel' style which rotates between red and black each day. The case holds strong, legible model number 6605, and serial number 366xxx, dating it to circa 1957.  The inside of the case back is also date stamped and marked 6605, and has 1957 I for the first quarter of that year.  The watch comes in a Foundwell presentation box, certificate of authenticity from Foundwell, as well as a year warranty against mechanical failure.