While Rolex might be best known for their robust tool watches, they have also famously ventured into the realm of far more luxurious designs too, with models like their Pearlmaster, Day-Date and several others coming to mind of the modern collector. However, Rolex, even in the middle 20th century, were exploring the more luxurious side of watchmaking with lady’s pieces like this cocktail watch. Focused on women, cocktail watches were smaller watches, like the ref. 4389 that we have here, which would be made of precious metals and often either adorned with gems or given elaborate case designs much like this example. Boasting a svelte 18kt yellow gold construction, this manual-wind example boasts a lavishly design case with a stepped triangular lug design that holds a loop of fabric that acts as the strap for the watch. Capped off with a silver dial with applied 18kt yellow gold dial furniture and 18kt yellow gold hands, this example is wonderfully preserved, especially considering it is complete with its original guarantee papers, which make for a wonderful addition to this example.

Watch is in overall excellent condition. The yellow gold case remains well defined, with surface scratches and marks as expected of a watch of this vintage. The case back retains a well-defined serial number stamp. The dial shows some small chips around the edge along with light surface marks, but remains in very good condition. The hands display light marks. It is fitted with a green cord bracelet and a Rolex Brevet-stamped yellow gold-colored clasp. Comes with the original 1945-dated warranty papers.

Showcasing the level of detail Rolex put into women's watches as far back as the 1940s, this ref. 4389's elaborately crafted 18kt yellow gold case showcases just how seriously Rolex took the female side of the market even as far back as 80+ years ago.