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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Desk clock

Rolex Reference 455 Gilt Brass Desk Clock with Date

Partially verified

This lot features an individual Rolex Reference 455 gilt brass desk clock dating to circa 1985. The timepiece is cased in a cylindrical fluted gilt brass body measuring 119 mm in diameter and bears case number 1'438. The dial displays a faux wood pattern with round, baton, and triangular hour indexes, Mercedes-style gilt hands, a central seconds hand, and a date aperture magnified by a lens at 3 o'clock. The dial is signed with the Rolex coronet and marked 'QUARTZ' and 'TIME TO THE SECOND'. According to the auction catalogue, the clock is powered by a jewelled quartz movement and was offered without accessories.

Oblique view of the Rolex Reference 455 gilt brass desk clock showing the fluted case, faux wood dial, and magnified date aperture
Oblique view of the Rolex Reference 455 gilt brass desk clock showing the fluted case, faux wood dial, and magnified date aperture — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sothebys.com
Category
Clock · Desk clock
Maker / attribution
Rolex
Reference
455
Catalogue / lot identifier
8703
Source-reported date
Circa 1985
Country
Not established
Source-reported serial
1'438

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction and Exterior Form

The desk clock is cased in gilt brass with a cylindrical profile catalogued at 119 mm in diameter. Visible observation shows vertically ribbed or fluted exterior walls and an angled fluted bezel rim framing the dial opening.

Catalogued under reference 455, the case is recorded with case number 1'438. The fluted exterior treatment forms an architectural desk instrument format, though internal case construction and closure details are not depicted in the source photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: gilt brass”
  • “Size: 119 mm diameter”
  • “Case number: 1'438”
  • “Cylindrical gilt brass case with vertically ribbed or fluted exterior walls and an angled fluted bezel rim.”

Dial Configuration and Display

The dial is described in the catalogue as faux wood, displaying a burl or tortoiseshell-effect visual pattern. It features luminous-style gilt hands, including a Mercedes pattern hour hand, a straight minute hand, and a needle seconds hand.

A date aperture is positioned at 3 o'clock with an applied magnifying lens over the opening. Inscriptions on the dial include the Rolex coronet along with 'ROLEX', 'QUARTZ', and 'TIME TO THE SECOND'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: faux wood”
  • “Burl or tortoiseshell-effect faux wood dial with an applied magnifying lens over the date aperture at 3 o'clock.”
  • “Luminous-style gilt hands including a Mercedes hour hand, straight minute hand, and needle seconds hand.”
  • “Dial text includes the Rolex coronet, 'ROLEX', 'QUARTZ', and 'TIME TO THE SECOND'.”

Movement Details and Documentation Limits

The clock is listed with a jewelled quartz movement and an approximate dating of circa 1985. The sale listing records that the lot was offered with no accessories.

The auctioneer noted that the movement was not tested for the accuracy of time and may require service at the buyer's expense. The internal movement components, rear case cover, and setting mechanisms are not illustrated in the provided catalogue imagery.

Evidence for this section
  • “Calibre: quartz, jewelled”
  • “A gilt brass desk clock with date, Circa 1985”
  • “Accessories: none”
  • “Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of time and may need a service at the buyer's expense.”

Open research questions

  • What specific quartz movement caliber and jewel count are fitted inside Reference 455?
  • How is the rear of the clock configured for battery replacement and time/date setting?
  • What specific production span and total numbers correspond to case number 1'438 for reference 455?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rolex Reference 455 Gilt Brass Desk Clock with Date
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference455“Reference 455”
Case materialGilt brass“Case: gilt brass”
Case number1'438“Case number: 1'438”
Diameter119 mm“Size: 119 mm diameter”
CalibreQuartz, jewelled“Calibre: quartz, jewelled”
Dial descriptionFaux wood“Dial: faux wood”
Signature placementDial signed“Signed: dial”
Accompanying itemsNone“Accessories: none”
Lot number8703“8703. Rolex Reference 455 | A gilt brass desk clock with date, Circa 1985”

Visible details

  • Cylindrical gilt brass case with vertically ribbed or fluted exterior walls and an angled fluted bezel rim.
  • Burl or tortoiseshell-effect faux wood dial with an applied magnifying lens over the date aperture at 3 o'clock.
  • Luminous-style gilt hands including a Mercedes hour hand, straight minute hand, and needle seconds hand.
  • Dial text includes the Rolex coronet, 'ROLEX', 'QUARTZ', and 'TIME TO THE SECOND'.

Research qualifications

  • The movement was not tested for timekeeping accuracy by the auction house and may require servicing at the buyer's expense.
  • Internal movement components, rear case cover, and setting mechanisms are not shown in the primary photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Rolex | Reference 455 | A gilt brass desk clock with date, Circa 1985

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record eb3ad81ac2

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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