Rolex - Oysterdate Precision - 6221 - Unisex - 1954

6266—Bringing the Speedking story to its close.

In 1930, the world economy collapsed due to the Great Depression, and even in the Swiss watch industry, which had shifted from military to civilian watches after World War I, tutto changed. Among them, Rolex, which had devoted effort to developing military watches, responded to this economic downfall by pursuing a completely unprecedented design, trying to escape the slump. Rolex’s answer was to entrust design entirely to the employees of the design department, shaping what users wanted from a viewpoint identical to that of the user, thereby creating innovative and popular designs. Additionally, like Royal and Firefly, by giving different model names to essentially the same references such as 3121, they avoided increasing manufacturing costs and instead expanded the selection, turning them into collectible pieces. One of those is the Speedking, which exists in the Ref. 3121 family. The 1930s references 3133, 3121, 3386 in the 3000 range, the 1940s brought 4220, 4265, 4285, 4270 in the 4000 range, and the 1950s saw 5430, 5056 in the 5000 range, culminating in the Speedking’s final models in the 6000 range like 6020, 6021, 6420, 6426, 6430, 6431, 6440, 6020, 6266, etc.—and with the 6000 series ending, its history drew to a close. The piece we’re introducing today is the final 6000 series model, the 6021. The brother to the 6020 and a model equipped with a fixed bezel, it is extremely rare among Speedking models, and in Rolex’s history you won’t often encounter a boys’ size model with a 12-hour scale etched into the bezel. Especially notable is that the engraving on the bezel lines is nearly unpolished. The dial, with the Explorer 3, 6, 9 layout and a three-dimensional ROLEX crest in relief only seen up to around 1955, makes this a rare design; even more, this 6021 features a three-hour markers with the 3, 6, 9 in an applied, sword-shaped hour markers and flying indicators, all in a stepped, three-dimensional design. The text is slightly blurred, but it is a 100% original condition without a full redial. The crown has been modified to a patent crown plus crown protector. The movement is the final generation of the Super Balance Temp, caliber 710, a two-position adjustment model for precision.

★★★　ROLEX ★★★

Stainless Steel 12 hours Scale “OYSTER SPEEDKING” 3,6,9 Explorer Dial
Stainless steel, 12-hour scale engraved bezel, “OYSTER SPEEDKING” Explorer dial

Ref. 6221

☆☆☆　Circa 1954 Vintage Fine ☆☆☆
(Men’s / laid flat daily rate; +25 seconds / beat angle; 235° / single beat: 0.0 ms / restrict angle: 50°)
Note: These figures are measured by time graph, but vary with environment, so treat as a guideline.

☆☆☆ Miracle Original Condition ☆☆☆
Check for counterfeit marks on the dial feet underside, check for redial marks (strap and buckle aside, fully original). The dial itself is miracle perfect original.

☆ Circa 1954 Genuine 3D ROLEX crest, 3,6,9 Explorer and sword hour markers ☆
[Engraving] ROLEX OYSTER SPEEDKING PRECISION SWISS MADE
[Condition]: The dial has slight smudging due to moisture but is 100% genuine original condition.

☆ Circa 1954 Genuine Stainless Steel scale-engraved bezel ☆
[Condition]: Parts that could have worn down or damaged by polishing are entirely intact; perfect condition.

☆ Circa 1954 Genuine Stainless Steel mid-case ☆
[Condition]: Minimal wear for its age, a miraculous condition; minor scratches and nicks exist.
[Size] 31mm (excluding crown, 34.5mm including crown) × 35.4mm (lug-to-lug)

☆ Circa 1954 Genuine Stainless Steel Top Twin Lock crown ☆
[Condition]: No scratches or dents; in very good condition.

☆ Circa 1954 Genuine Stainless Steel Screw-Back Case ☆
[Engraving]: Montres Rolex SA Geneva Swiss 6021 Ⅰ53
[Condition]: Some corrosion is present, but it does not affect daily wear; scratches and dings exist.

☆ Faux stainless steel mesh bracelet ☆
[Condition]: (New / lug width: 17mm × wrist circumference: up to 185mm; fits a finger space)