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Rolex Oyster Precision, Black and Gilt Dial, ref. 6480, circa 1956 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Rolex Oyster Precision, Black and Gilt Dial, ref. 6480, circa 1956

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Rolex (maker)
Date
c. 1956
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 34 mm
Stock no.
vws3178cs
Credit line
Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws3178cs)
Catalogue title (original)
Rolex - Oyster Precision - Black and Gilt Dial - Model Reference 6480 - c.1956 (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws3178cs), this is a wristwatch by Rolex, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1956. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 34 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

A Beautiful Vintage Rolex Oyster Precision, Model Ref: 6480, with a Stunning Black and Gilt Dial and Attractive Patina, c.1956 The Rolex 6480 is a lesser-known yet significant model in the prestigious Swiss watchmaker's history. Introduced in the mid-20th century, this timepiece encapsulates the brand’s commitment to precision and elegance. The 6480 features a classic design with a modest case size, typically around 34mm, which was standard for that era. Its clean, understated dial and reliable automatic movement made it a favourite among discerning watch enthusiasts. Crafted when Rolex was solidifying its reputation for innovation and durability, the 6480 stood out for its robust build quality and timeless aesthetics. It often came equipped with a stainless steel case and bracelet, though variations with gold accents were also available. Today, the Rolex 6480 is cherished by collectors for its historical value and represents an era of post-war optimism and burgeoning technological advancements in horology. Its enduring appeal lies in its simplicity and the legacy of excellence it upholds within the Rolex lineage. What's on Offer A beautiful example of the 6480 reference with a stunning (and musch sought after) black dial and gilt furniture, this watch is very chic indeed. The dial has retained its rich black hue whilst taking on some rather attractive and even patina, a joy to those who appreciate the ageing process of vintage watches! The dial boasts beautiful applied pencil hour markers and stylish sword hands, all in gilt, the combination of the gold with the black dial and steel case is beautiful - and lends itself well to any occasion from casual wear to formal attire. At 34mm, it is a mid-size watch and looks beautiful on the wrist. It is running well and keeping good time, a stunning watch with a huge amount of character, you won't go wrong with this piece which would make a superb addition to any collection.

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Dive and water-resistant watches

Keeping water and dust out of a wristwatch was a long-standing challenge. Rolex's screw-down Oyster case (1926) and Omega's Marine (1932) were landmarks; in the early 1950s Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms and Rolex's Submariner defined the professional dive watch with rotating bezels for timing dives, luminous dials and high water resistance. The ISO 6425 standard (1982) later codified what a 'diver's watch' must do.

Dive watches became icons of post-war design and exploration, and their evolution — helium escape valves, ceramic bezels, saturation-diving depth ratings — records the history of underwater work.

What to look for

  • Unidirectional or bidirectional rotating bezel with minute markings.
  • Screw-down crown and case back; depth rating printed on the dial.
  • Luminous hands and markers (radium before c. 1960, tritium c. 1960–1998, then Super-LumiNova).
  • Reference numbers on the case between the lugs or inside the back.

Dating clues

  • Screw-down Oyster cases: from 1926.
  • Professional dive watches: from 1953.
  • Tritium 'T' marks on dials: c. 1960–1998.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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