Rolex Oyster Royal Ref 6044 (from the 1950-51)

The Oyster Royal was introduced in 1933 and was recognisable as one of the earliest wristwatches to feature a centrally pivoted second hand as opposed to the small subsidiary seconds register that was the norm. There are many references for Rolex Royal covering Ref 4444, 4365, 6044, 6444, 6426, 6427

Rolex marketed the Royal as being ideally suited for those in the medical profession, on the basis that a large second hand would be far easier to consult when timing a patient’s heartbeat. Strangely, as centre seconds became more common, the Oyster Royal would be offered in both centre and sub-seconds formats, and the Oyster Royal model became more associated with the British Military services.

This is the Rolex Model Reference 6044, complete with its original high-grade Cal.710, 15 Jewel movement. This Certified early vintage ref. 6044 "Shock Resisting" Rolex Oyster Royal. Rolex was a fairly early adopter of using shock protection in their movements, and the 6044 was an early model with it, as the dial proclaims. 

The 6044 was also one of the relatively few Rolex models to feature the short-lived Super Oyster crown which was produced for only three years. The “Super-Oyster” winding crown was an attempt by Rolex to create a waterproof winding crown which did not need to be screwed down. While the system itself worked, in time the rubber seal perished and therefore this crown type was phased out after only a few years of production. It is interesting to note that some Rolex bubbleback also uses the Super Oyster Non screw down crown.

I have traded my Helvetia WW2 Pilot watch plus cash for this Rolex Oyster Royal. I love the nice clean dial and the full numerals markets. It’s is slightly bigger in case size when compare to Rolex Speedking and is a very comfortable to wear. With serial nos 7199XX, it is estimated to be from 1950-51.

Rolex Royal 6044

Rolex 6426

Rolex 6444