Rotary Quartz | Champagne Dial | Gold Plated | Boxed with 1988 Stamped Guarantee

Rotary Quartz | Champagne Dial | Gold Plated | Boxed with 1988 Stamped Guarantee

Description

A complete little time capsule from the British high street. The watch arrives in its burgundy Rotary box with the international guarantee booklet, and the booklet is filled in: stamped by James Walker, Goldsmith and Silversmith Ltd., dated 10 December 1988, with the model number 53K297 written in by hand.

The dial is a soft champagne with slim applied gold batons, the winged Rotary emblem under the twelve and a date window set at four rather than three, a small detail that keeps the layout from looking generic. The gold plated case is slim and round with tapered lugs, closed by a stainless steel back.

The dial is signed T Swiss Made T, the period mark for tritium lume, and the hands and markers still react under ultraviolet light, which we photographed for the listing.

Key Features

• Rotary quartz dress watch
• Champagne dial with applied gold batons
• Date at 4 o'clock
• Gold plated case, stainless steel back
• Original Rotary box and guarantee booklet
• Guarantee stamped by James Walker, 10 December 1988

Specifications

• Brand: Rotary
• Model Number: 53K297 (handwritten on the guarantee)
• Case: Round, gold plated, stainless steel back
• Caseback Markings: 3408 / 1043.0.82, Water Resistant, Stainless Steel Back
• Dial: Champagne, applied gold batons, date at 4, T Swiss Made T
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Water Resistance: 3 ATM (as marked on the dial)
• Strap: Brown croc-embossed leather, gold-tone buckle
• Box and Papers: Rotary box and international guarantee, dealer stamped 10 Dec 1988
• Case Dimensions: 33mm
• Lug to Lug:

Condition Report

• Dial: Clean and even, printing sharp.
• Case: Gold plate bright on bezel and lugs, light wear consistent with age.
• Caseback: Light surface scratches.
• Crystal: Good.
• Movement: Serviced and running properly.
• Strap: Brown leather in good order.
• Box and Papers: Box and guarantee present, guarantee dealer stamped and dated.

Historical Significance

Rotary began in 1895 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, founded by Moise Dreyfuss, and became one of the most familiar watch names in Britain through the twentieth century, sold through independent jewellers like James Walker, whose stamp is on this guarantee. A boxed, dated Rotary with its original paperwork is how most of these watches were bought, and how very few of them survive.

Offered by ReWrist. Each piece is inspected and photographed in-house. Vintage Luxury, Redefined.