Rolex Oyster Precision Date Ref. 6694 - Gilt Dial

Taking it back to where it all began with a Rolex 6694, This Oyster Precision date sports a striking patina black two tone dial with gold applied hour markers and gilt type. So you maybe asking, what is a gilt dial?

The term gilt in vintage watches generally means that the texts and numbers on the dial are mainly golden in color. The manufacturing process of gilt dials was significantly different from the production of normal pad-printed dials. The process was considerably slower and more complex, which is why it was abandoned relatively quickly. In the gilt method, a glossy, hard enamel paint coat was applied on the backing metal of the dial. There were at least two different methods that were used after this step. In early gilt dials, a negative mask containing the letters and numbers was applied over the black primer. The dial was then etched. After cleaning the dial, the numbers etched on the dial were gilded with gold leaf or silvered with silver leaf. When examined with a microscope, older gilt dials show that the letters have been etched. In later gilt models, gilding or silvering was done directly on the painted surface without etching. A mask was used in this gilding method as well. The text and numbers on these dials do not show indentations caused by etching. Sometimes, in addition to the gilding, other elements were added to the dial with white paint, such as in the Rolex Submariner gilt underline model.

The watch is fitted with gold alpha hands and a smooth bezel. The 34mm gold plated oyster case has a screw down Rolex crown and has remained in good condition. The watch is fitted with a brown leather Rolex strap and buckle. Housed behind the screw down case back is the manually wound Rolex movement which is running well. This piece also comes with its original Rolex box and guarantee paperwork.