123 Rolex A very attractive and unusual Rolex Tru-Beat reference 6556 in stainless steel with dead-beat jump centre seconds

Estimate: €15,000 –⁠ 30,000

Model: Tru-Beat
Material: stainless steel
Reference N°: 6556
Year: 1956
Case N°: 731511
Caliber: 1040
Movement N°: 822987
Bracelet: stainless steel
Dimensions: 34 mm

The dead beat complication has always been considered as the symbol of a very finely engineered watch and in the collector’s world one of the most sought-after since the very few examples still alive are really difficult to find. At the time of its introduction, however, this particularity did not enjoy much success and consequently the production of the Tru-Beat was discontinued five years later its introduction in 1954. Fitted with calibre 1040, a modified and more sophisticated version of the well-known calibre 1030, this specific watch has the hands for the seconds that instead of continuously sweeping on the dial, stops at each seconds mark before jumping to the next one, performing exactly like the hands of an analogue quartz watch. The creamy-white dial with a little nice patina is separated in 4 parts by 2 perpendicular lines which give the quadrant the typical and rare sectorial structure. The dauphine hands still have the luminous material in excellent condition and the tonneau case, despite some signs of wear, is still in an excellent state of preservation as is the Oyster bracelet with deployant closure.