Rolex Oyster Ref. 6022 - Silver 'A.&J. Smith Aberdeen' Dial
If you boil Rolex down to its purest form, what do you get?
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual. This is truly the genesis for the entire Rolex brand. The very first Rolex models were called ‘Oysters’ which was owed to their innovative three part case that all screwed into each-other. That is where the fluted bezel actually derives from, being screwed down into the top of the case to secure the crystal with a gasket - as well as the grooves on the oyster case back. All makes sense now - right?
The piece that we have here, called an Oyster, is a descendant of those early watches, utilizing a water-resistant Oyster case, an manual-winding movement, and nothing else. No frills — purely a functional timekeeping device.
The Reference 6022 that we have here, dates to circa 1952 and is nothing short of a beautiful timepiece. The stainless steel Oyster case comes in at 34mm in diameter and comes to us in excellent overall condition, with thick and symmetrical proportions and showing normal signs of wear from age and use. The silver dial within has developed a gentle patina across the surface and shows light wear consistent with age. It features applied yellow gold-tone 'Arabic' indices, which are complimented by a matching yellow gold-tone 'feuille' handset.
As if all of these beautiful period details weren't enough, this piece also bears an additional signature on the top half that reads "A.&J. Smith Aberdeen" — a London-based retailer of watches & clocks.
Despite being ‘entry-level’ these offer a ton of character and remain an overlooked part of the important history of Rolex on their journey to the powerhouse brand that they are today. This is nothing short of a delightful vintage piece that can be worn every single day, on any occasion, and on virtually any wrist.
And don't let the case size fool you, these 34mm Rolex models are chronically slept on and present great value next to its more well-known siblings, while truly embodying the essence of Rolex.
Condition Report & Details
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Shipping, Returns, & Warranty
Every Oliver & Clarke timepiece comes with a one-year mechanical warranty starting from the date of delivery. We ensure all watches are in wonderful working condition and are ready for daily wear. Many have been fully serviced by our team of watchmakers.
Please note:
- Due to the vintage or antique nature of many of our watches, they may not keep time as accurately as when new, nor as precisely as quartz or electronic devices.
- We do not guarantee water resistance and do not warranty against moisture or water damage. Deliberate exposure to water or steam is not recommended.
- Warranty does not cover internal or external damage caused by accidents, mishandling, abuse, modifications, or services performed by anyone other than our authorized personnel.
- Our warranty is non-transferable.
The Oliver & Clarke Guarantee
At Oliver & Clarke, we meticulously vet each watch to ensure its authenticity and quality. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and our mission is to help you find the perfect timepiece. If you have any questions, we are here to assist you promptly.
Our Guarantee:
- Each timepiece is thoroughly evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our expert team before it is offered for sale.
- We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise stated.
- The authenticity of each watch is guaranteed in perpetuity.
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From Rolex & Patek Philippe, to Cartier & Audemars Piguet. As collectors first, we love the small details that separate the Submariner from Daytona and Calatrava from Royal Oak. This is why you'll find our curated assortment spans decades of generations of models and brands. We believe that watches don't just tell time, they tell history - and life is too short to wear a boring watch.
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