Rolex Precision 'Grasshopper' Ref. 4560 - Satin Silver Dial
The 1950s was a decade that Rolex was really coming into their own. The 'Professional' line was almost immediately successful, giving the brand the capital to experiment and expand.
The variety in metals, dials, and handsets in this era, particularly in the Oyster Perpetual, Oyster Precision, Datejust, and Day-Date families of watches was vast. It was also a time where the brand was playing around with manual-winding dress watches, usually denoted with 'Precision' on the dial.
The piece that we have here comes from the 'Precision' family of watches and is without a doubt one of the more stylistic piece from the model family. Distinguished by its oversized, eccentric lugs, this and similar pieces have been dubbed by collectors as 'grasshopper' lugs — not dissimilar to 'horn', 'flame', or 'claw' lugs.
Dating to circa 1946, the case comes in at nicely sized 34mm in diameter, but the sheer size of the lugs as they relate to the case lends itself to a wearing experience that resembles something closer to a 36mm diameter watch. It remains in very nicely overall condition, showing normal signs of wear throughout with symmetrical lugs and visible engravings on the caseback. The dial inside is as gorgeous as the case. Silver in color, it features a satin surface with both printed and silver 'foil' indices, a 'concentric' subsidiary seconds register, and a 'domed' shape all together. Of course, it is powered by a manual-winding mvoement.
There is no doubt whatsoever that the Precision range remains an overlooked and interesting part of Rolex's history. Their artistic side. Pieces like this remind us that Rolex was once capable of deviating from the designs that they eventually became known for.
If a Rolex were to be a Vacheron from this era, this is it.
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