A quintessential mid-century dress watch, this Rolex Precision 12868 represents a beautiful intersection of Swiss horological excellence and British industrial history.
The solid 9K gold case back features a crisp, commemorative engraving for Stanley Boustead, honoured for his long service at The Swan Hunter Group in 1964. At the time, Swan Hunter was the titan of British shipbuilding, responsible for legendary vessels like the RMS Mauretania. Such "Long Service" watches were the ultimate mark of professional achievement and remain highly sought after by collectors of social history and industrial heritage.
The Dial: An elegant silver-opaline dial featuring a classic "Explorer" layout – applied gold Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, punctuated by baton hour markers.
Sub-Seconds: A recessed subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock adds depth and a traditional touch to the overall symmetry.
The Case: Crafted from solid 9K yellow gold, the 31mm case (excluding the signed Rolex crown) offers a discreet and sophisticated profile, perfect for formal attire or daily vintage elegance.
Movement: At the heart of this timepiece is the Rolex Calibre 1200, a high-grade 17-jewel manual-wind movement. Known for its reliability and precision, it has been tested and is currently running perfectly.
Ref: 12868
Year: 1964
Strap: Presented on a new 16mm brown calf-grain leather strap with a gold-tone buckle.
Dial: The silver-opaline dial displays a prominent, authentic patina characterised by widespread, fine oxidation spotting. This is common for unrestored vintage Rolex dials and is often favoured by collectors as proof of originality.
Indices & Hands: The applied gold baton arrow markers and Arabic numerals (3, 6, 9) remain well-defined with a warm, natural tarnish. The gilt dauphine hands show slight surface wear consistent with the dial’s age.
Case & Lugs: The solid 9ct gold case shows gentle rounding at the lug edges from decades of careful use. There are fine surface scratches throughout, particularly on the bezel and the side of the 31mm case.
Crystal: The original acrylic crystal shows visible cracks and age-related crazing. While this does not affect the movement, a replacement may be desired by the new owner for clarity and water resistance. We have chosen to leave it in its current state to preserve the watch’s 100% original "as-found" integrity.
Overall Appeal: This watch presents as a true "survivor" piece – unpolished and unrestored, preserving its original factory lines and the historical significance of the Swan Hunter engraving on the case back.
Water resistance is not tested and cannot be guaranteed. Water resistance should not be relied upon and the watch should be kept away from water unless professionally pressure tested.
Please inspect the photos carefully to assess the condition of the watch before proceeding with your purchase.
Order by 2pm to collect in-store the next day or choose FREE UK Special Delivery for delivery within 48 hours. Standard International orders are dispatched the same day, fully tracked and insured (taxes and duties may apply).
A quintessential mid-century dress watch, this Rolex Precision 12868 represents a beautiful intersection of Swiss horological excellence and British industrial history.
The solid 9K gold case back features a crisp, commemorative engraving for Stanley Boustead, honoured for his long service at The Swan Hunter Group in 1964. At the time, Swan Hunter was the titan of British shipbuilding, responsible for legendary vessels like the RMS Mauretania. Such "Long Service" watches were the ultimate mark of professional achievement and remain highly sought after by collectors of social history and industrial heritage.
The Dial: An elegant silver-opaline dial featuring a classic "Explorer" layout – applied gold Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, punctuated by baton hour markers.
Sub-Seconds: A recessed subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock adds depth and a traditional touch to the overall symmetry.
The Case: Crafted from solid 9K yellow gold, the 31mm case (excluding the signed Rolex crown) offers a discreet and sophisticated profile, perfect for formal attire or daily vintage elegance.
Movement: At the heart of this timepiece is the Rolex Calibre 1200, a high-grade 17-jewel manual-wind movement. Known for its reliability and precision, it has been tested and is currently running perfectly.
Ref: 12868
Year: 1964
Strap: Presented on a new 16mm brown calf-grain leather strap with a gold-tone buckle.
Dial: The silver-opaline dial displays a prominent, authentic patina characterised by widespread, fine oxidation spotting. This is common for unrestored vintage Rolex dials and is often favoured by collectors as proof of originality.
Indices & Hands: The applied gold baton arrow markers and Arabic numerals (3, 6, 9) remain well-defined with a warm, natural tarnish. The gilt dauphine hands show slight surface wear consistent with the dial’s age.
Case & Lugs: The solid 9ct gold case shows gentle rounding at the lug edges from decades of careful use. There are fine surface scratches throughout, particularly on the bezel and the side of the 31mm case.
Crystal: The original acrylic crystal shows visible cracks and age-related crazing. While this does not affect the movement, a replacement may be desired by the new owner for clarity and water resistance. We have chosen to leave it in its current state to preserve the watch’s 100% original "as-found" integrity.
Overall Appeal: This watch presents as a true "survivor" piece – unpolished and unrestored, preserving its original factory lines and the historical significance of the Swan Hunter engraving on the case back.
Water resistance is not tested and cannot be guaranteed. Water resistance should not be relied upon and the watch should be kept away from water unless professionally pressure tested.
Please inspect the photos carefully to assess the condition of the watch before proceeding with your purchase.
Order by 2pm to collect in-store the next day or choose FREE UK Special Delivery for delivery within 48 hours. Standard International orders are dispatched the same day, fully tracked and insured (taxes and duties may apply).
