Rolex Oyster Tru Beat 6556 Silver Dial

The forgotten tool watch…

This is a very rare and important vintage Oyster that dates to themed 1950s.
The ‘Tru Beat’ was one of the first dead-seconds wrist watches ever offered.

Instead of the flowing seconds hand that one normally sees on a mechanical watch, dead-seconds calibres tick once per second. What sounds very simple is incredibly complicated and requires a new escapement that allows one jump per second of the seconds hand instead of the usual five ‘beats.

The watches were marketed as medical professionals to accurately calculate a patient’s pulse, which also explains the red seconds hand and cross hair dial (to see 15 second intervals at a glance). It is rare to see one of these watches survive as servicing is very complicated and parts scarce. It is said that even Rolex converted some to regular movements. The fact this this example remains in such outstanding condition and has had a recent service makes it an almost unique offering in the market. The rivet link Oyster bracelet reference 7205 is in excellent condition and has ref 57 endlinks and a clasp stamped ‘B’.

Specifications:

- Reference 6556
- 34mm steel case
- Serial 139xxx dating to 1955
- Sliver dial with cross hair
- Red seconds hand
- Oyster rivet bracelet reference 7205 with 57 endlinks
- Fully serviced by our watchmaker
- One-year mechanical warranty
- Includes a handmade leather watch pouch
- Free worldwide Fedex Priority shipping