Rare Rolex Oyster Viceroy Chronometer reference 3359, with a light dial and Arabic numerals in radium, steel case with 18Kt yellow gold bezel, manual-winding in-hose movement no. 710, from the early 1940s
SPECIFICHE
Steel case measuring 29.5 mm
Lug-to-lug measuring 39 mm
Inside Lug Width: 16 mm
Corona originale
Rolex 710 hand-wound movement inside
ANALISI
Throughout its history, Rolex has always been ahead of its time: this applies to both the technology and the design of its vast production of watches. Since its inception, Rolex has always been a pioneer in technical developments and trends in dial shapes and variations, but it was in the 1930s that Rolex maximized its creativity in the creation of robust, waterproof watches for casual, everyday use on the wrists of its customers. At a time when Rolex was consolidating its reputation thanks to the invention of the Oyster, the “Viceroy” model was born, modifying the lines of its “bubbleback” watches in favor of a flatter, cushion-shaped case, with a minimal caseback protrusion and a raised bezel. All these components created a completely new watch, which, while retaining the technical properties typical of the adjacent, more mass-produced traditional Oyster cases, created a timepiece with a unique and unrepeatable design.
On November 12, 1921, signed by Hans Wilsdorf, the name “Viceroy” was published with the registration number 50800. In reality, at least initially, Rolex used this name for completely different watches: small, rectangular in shape, often made of a “mixed” material of gold and steel (but also base metal), and intended for women’s wrists. Starting in 1937, the “Viceroy” name shifted from the women’s watch collection to models, also rectangular in shape, but intended for a men’s audience. By 1938, “Viceroy” had already acquired – at least judging by the catalogs and posters of the time – almost the same connotation as a Rolex sub-brand, later defining itself in the model distinguished by its cushion-shaped case and raised bezel, and featuring the name inscribed on the dial.
This model is fully expressed in the beautiful reference 3359, created between 1939 and 1940.
The dial has a light background with a beautiful cream-colored patina. Inside the circular minute track are Arabic numerals in radium, which, with their oversized proportions, uniquely characterize the entire watch. The “Rolex Oyster Viceroy” inscription is at 12 o’clock, while the “Chronometer” signature is at 6 o’clock. The hands are typically large pencil-shaped to contain the luminescent paste, while the second hand is gold, matching the color of the yellow gold bezel.
The case has a flat, cushion-shaped square design that softens at the sides thanks to an elegant curved line. The lugs are short, robust, and close outward in an almost truncated pyramid shape. The screw-down case back features the characteristic knurling on the edge to ensure a secure grip when opening and closing. The right side of this stunning case is characterized by the large Oyster crown with a gold cap. The most distinctive feature of this splendid reference is its 18K yellow gold bezel: it rises in a clean, bold step from the base of the middle case. Its ring-shaped surface, composed of “millerighe,” features embossed square elements indicating the quarter hours and circular, intermittent elements (“dots”). The watch’s overall appearance thus manages to concretely and uniquely blend the technical features of Oyster pre-assembled watches with stylistic and design elements typical of Art Deco.
The movement that powers the hands of this incredible Viceroy is the in-house cal. 710. It is a chronometric-regulated movement with 17 jewels and seven-position adjustment. It features an indirect central seconds hand, runs at 18,000 A/h, and has a 44-hour power reserve.
