Rolex Oyster Precision "Firefly" - Ref. 3121

This is an incredibly rare piece of horological history, a vintage Rolex Oyster Precision 'Firefly", circa 1943.  The stainless steel case with its pink gold "Porthole" bezel and pink gold Rolex crown are all in excellent condition, especially for a watch from 1943.  The silvered dial is all original with nice luminous Arabic numerals.   The "Firefly" nickname was designated by Rolex to highlight the luminous materials used on the dial numerals and hands for visibility in the dark.  This lovely little 28mm watch is powered by a 17 jewel manual wind movement.   The watch is fitted with a Cromwell Manufacturing Corp stainless steel and pink gold filled stretchy oyster bracelet.  Due to high US import tariffs on complete Swiss watches during the 1940s and 1950s, Rolex frequently shipped watch heads separately to North America. They partnered with premium domestic suppliers like Cromwell to produce correct-period bracelets locally.  The bracelet on this watch is one of those period correct bracelets that were added to the watch head when it arrived in the US.  Finding an original Cromwell riveted, two-tone rose gold filled and stainless steel stretch bracelet is highly valued by collectors, as it verifies the watch’s period-correct delivery to the American market.