This is a Rolex Royal Ref 3132 from the year 1942. I first saw this watch with a California dial and Mecedes hands in December 2021 at HK$18,800. I did not buy the watch as I was focusing on some other watches.
The Rolex Royal is a simple hand wind watch using similar movement for the Speed king, Viceroy etc. It has many interesting names. The essence of
the ‘California Dial’ is extremely simplistic. A watch dial that consists of
both half Roman and half Arabic numerals. Generally speaking, numbers 10 to 2
are Roman and 4 to 8 are Arabic, however the classic architype has changed and
evolved over the years, varying from brand to brand to what is recognized today
as the more youthful and edgy variant in one’s collection. One needs to take note that there are many reconditioned California dials in the market.
Yesterday, while I was browsing the internet, I came across the watch again with a nice replacement bracelet at a very attractive price. The Rolex Speed king & Royal are the first few nice entry-level watches for any watch collector. I remember those good old days in the 1980s when I first started collecting vintage watches as a hobby.
1942年古董型號3121手上弦怪字面全鋼手表 Royal ref.3121
The Rolex California dial has started during the 1940s where Rolex Bubbleback watches were also fitted with these dials as per the various advertising.
1942 World War II, Rolex U.S.A. Christmas Message
Rolex Bubbleback with California dial
Semi California dial
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