Rolex - Skyrocket Canadian gold plated import case - 3478 - Unisex - 1900-1949

B. HISTORY OF THE WATCH:
Ah, Rolex... there are still depths to explore, for example, this 1942 Rolex Sky-Rocket, a rarely seen bird. he Rolex Skyrocket is a rare, military-issue wristwatch produced in Canada for Canadian pilots during World War II. To bypass import duties, Rolex Canada assembled these watches using Swiss movements and dials but had the cases made locally by companies like Pioneer Watch Case Co.. As a result, it is a unique piece of Rolex history, smaller than modern watches, and often features a military-style dial.


Presented in an American made case to avoid tariffs, it was manufactured by Rolex in the 1940s. It was marketed to Canadian military personnel, particularly fighter pilots. They weren't issued items; pilots had to pay for them. They were frequently given as gifts to soldiers departing for World War II, hence why many examples, including this one, bear personal signatures or service numbers engraved on the caseback.

It is equipped with a lever escapement movement, the caliber 59, based on a Fontmelon ébauche (the FHF30). Nickel-plated with 17 jewels, it features a bimetallic balance.

The ivory beige dial has a deep patina, but the “ROLEX SKY-ROCKET SHOCKPROOF” signature is clearly visible. It has luminous (radium-painted) Arabic numerals and hands that are now partially skeletonized. The retaining ring bears the military time stamp in red, now barely visible. I particularly like the detailed small seconds hand.

The crystal is made of domed acrylic.

The Sky-Rocket has a rounded, steel case with downward-curving lugs and a screw-down caseback made of chrome with sterling silver plating. The crown is large .The piece is quite small, measuring only 29.5 mm in diameter and 36 mm in total length (lug-to-lug), but it offers a presence on the wrist.

• Origin: Made in Canada for Canadian servicemen during WWII.
• Purpose: A common gift for soldiers, particularly for fighter pilots.
• Manufacturing: Assembled in Canada using Swiss movements and dials, but with cases made in North America by third-party manufacturers like Pioneer Watch Case Co. to save on import duties.
• Movement: Utilized a Swiss-made Fontmelon (FHF) Caliber 59 movement.
• Characteristics: Smaller in size (around 30mm) and sometimes featured a silver dial, which differed from the black dials common for military watches at the time.

0. GENERAL INFO:
this is a extremely rare piece from our collection.
* 1yr warranty, just serviced.
- Plenty of references here
*We are a a group of collectors that are crazy watchlovers, with collector buying approach.
- a Boutique-watch Business, that focus on - rare - singular - and different watches.- not the typical watch reseller.


. CONDITION OF THE WATCH:
* Watch has Been tested and serviced.
* Dial watch with a little of aging patina.
* 1 year warranty.
* Recently Serviced and tested
* watch hands are ok.


C. SPECS:
Date: Circa 1940
,Movementcaliber 59, fhf, hand wound.
• Dial: ivory beige dial with patina, radium indexes lance hands,
Case: Brushed and polished round form, back secured.
Strap/Bracelet:generic leather,
Buckle/Clasp: generic
Signed: Case, dial & movement,
Size: 29mm 30mm with crown, wears like a 33 round watch.because big dial
lug to lug 36-37mm
• photos made for a 16-17cm wrist


D. SCOPE OF DELIVERY:
- Watch.
- extra strap
- - original rolex buckle vintage.



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*We are watch collectors by heart, and passionate curators
*We are a boutique- watch business that offer rare and singular watches.
*We offer rare , different and singular watches
*We take care of the watch, as if it was for us.
*1 year warranty.
*We ship our watches from Madrid, Spain.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
* read description carefully.
* Watch is sold according European Union laws and regulations.
* Buyer has to pay taxes if buying outside the European Union.
- If in Canary Islands, taxes also apply.
* Photos are part of description, please watch