ROLEX Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 6627 – 18K Yellow Gold Mid-1950s Automatic · Rare Boys-Size Vintage Ace Grade

Crafted during the golden decade of post-war Swiss innovation, this rare Ref. 6627 embodies the era when Rolex refined the Oyster case, perfected the automatic rotor, and defined the modern language of luxury tool watches. Pieces from this period—especially in solid 18K gold and in the elusive 30mm “boys size” configuration—represent a disappearing category of early Oyster design. Each surviving example is a quiet monument to Rolex’s formative years: understated, technically elegant, and unmistakably confident.

This Vintage Ace–grade specimen, preserved with remarkable honesty and fitted with a genuine Rolex 18K buckle, delivers that rare balance of charm, scarcity, and mechanical integrity that seasoned collectors seek in mid-century Oyster models.

DESCRIPTION

A refined expression of early Rolex craftsmanship, this Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 6627 sits at the intersection of rarity and restraint—a solid 18K yellow-gold variant produced in the mid-1950s, when Rolex’s technical leaps began to converge with its now-iconic visual language. The 30mm case, often referred to as the “boys size,” reflects a bygone era of proportion: elegant, discreet, and deeply emblematic of mid-century dress-watch culture.

The dial retains its vintage warmth, presenting a handsome sunburst silver tone highlighted by gilt-style text and the classic applied markers of the period. Its “Cyclops” date magnifier—introduced by Rolex in the early 1950s—remains one of the brand’s most recognizable innovations. The automatic movement winds smoothly, offering the dependable rhythm expected from a well-maintained Oyster mechanism of this age.

Completing the piece is a genuine Rolex 18K gold buckle, paired with a fresh crocodile strap (aftermarket). The overall presentation is quietly luxurious: the kind of vintage Rolex that offers purity of form without theatrics, confidence without excess, and historical value without needing to announce itself.

Pieces like this are not merely worn—they are appreciated, studied, and safeguarded.

HIGHLIGHTS & FEATURES

• Mid-1950s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date, Ref. 6627
• Rare 30mm “boys size” 18K yellow-gold case
• Automatic movement (smooth winding, stable operation)
• Vintage sunburst silver dial with period-correct character
• Cyclops date magnifier with vintage curvature
• Genuine Rolex 18K solid-gold buckle
• New crocodile leather strap (aftermarket)
• Beautifully preserved VA (Vintage Ace) condition
• Serial 792*** → c.1956–1957 production
• An increasingly scarce mid-century Oyster reference

ITEM DETAILS

• Brand: Rolex

• Model: Oyster Perpetual Date

• Reference: 6627

• Movement: Automatic

• Case Material: 18K Yellow Gold

• Case Size: 30mm

• Thickness: Approx. 10mm

• Lug-to-Lug: Period-correct compact proportion

• Strap: Crocodile leather (aftermarket)

• Buckle: Rolex genuine 18K buckle

• Wrist Fit: Approx. 19cm (adjustable)

• Serial Range: 792*** (mid-1950s)

• Accessories: Watch only

CONDITION REPORT

Case: Minor hairlines and faint handling marks consistent with respectful vintage use. No structural dents. Gold retains healthy luster.
Dial: Beautiful original condition with gentle aging; no major discoloration. Text remains crisp.
Crystal: Period-correct acrylic showing only minor micro-marks.
Movement: Automatic winding smooth; stable amplitude reported by seller.
Hands & Markers: Excellent integrity with natural vintage tone.
Strap/Buckle: New crocodile strap; Rolex 18K buckle in strong condition.

Overall, this is an exceptionally well-preserved mid-century Oyster—worthy of the Vintage Ace designation.

WHY COLLECTORS WANT THIS PIECE

The Ref. 6627 occupies a compelling position in the Rolex timeline: short-production, precious-metal, mid-century, and proportionally distinct. Modern collectors increasingly value these early 18K references for their scarcity and honest charm—particularly those retaining original dials and factory gold buckles. This is the type of vintage Rolex that rarely surfaces in clean condition and even more rarely remains attainable.

BRAND HERITAGE

Rolex built its reputation on engineering triumphs: the waterproof Oyster case (1926), the perpetual rotor (1931), the Cyclops eye (1950s), and a series of tool-watch breakthroughs that shaped modern horology. Mid-century references like the 6627 represent the brand’s foundational decades—when Rolex blended tool-watch reliability with precious-metal elegance, paving the way for the modern Day-Date and Datejust era.

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