Rolex Chronograph ref. 4500 Pulsations Dial, 1946

Dealer description — Bulang & Sons

The Rolex Chronograph ref. 4500, introduced around 1945, is a historically significant and rare example of one of the earliest waterproof Oyster chronographs, often referred to as the “Monoblocco” due to its one-piece case design. It marked a key design shift toward the later “modern” Daytona, with a 36mm size, straight lugs, and a two-register layout powered by a Valjoux 23–based movement. The case on this example is in excellent condition, featuring a screw-down back, pump-style pushers, and its original winding crown still attached. The true showstopper is the extremely rare pulsations dial. The pulso meter scale was primarily designed for medical professionals, namely doctors. pulsations -signed Rolex chronographs are extraordinarily rare, with approximately 50 pieces known across all metals and references. The lineage of these “medical” chronographs includes very early references such as 2023 and 2057 from the late 1920s, the “Bariletto” reference 3525 in steel during the 1940s, as well as references 4048, 4062, 4099, 4537 (in stainless steel or stainless steel and gold), and the ref. 4500 in gold. In the 1950s, the pulso meter scale appeared on some examples of the 6034 and 6234 in stainless steel and gold, followed by a handful of ref. 6238s with the scale inside the indexes, and finally around ten examples of the ref. 6239 Daytona in steel. After this period, Rolex ceased producing pulsometer dials for over 60 years, and they remain absent in modern production. This particular dial features a French-language pulso meter scale in blue (‘Gradué pour 30 pulsations’), suggesting it was likely made on special request for a French-speaking doctor. Such dials were extremely rare and difficult to produce in batches due to very low demand. The dial also features a fine black seconds track, two sub dials, applied Arabic numerals, and arrowhead hour markers, all showing pleasing patina. It is topped with clean non-lumed stick-style hands, completing a truly remarkable vintage chronograph. The watch is paired with an Oyster riveted-style ref 7206 bracelet, with end links marked 60 and a clasp stamped 1/60. This fine doctor’s chronograph and its hand-wound Cal. VLJX.23 movement have been fully serviced by our watchmaker. One of approximately 50 known pulsations examples across all references and a true collector’s find—reach out to secure this rare doctor’s Rolex chronograph! Specifications: Rolex Reference 4500 Chronograph 36 mm steel ”monobloc” case, pump style pushers, early winding crown Serial 499xxx dating to 1946 Super rare pulso meter/pulsations dial, no lume, two sub dials Oyster bracelet reference 7207 with 60 end links Valjoux 23 based hand -wound movement Fully serviced by our watchmaker