We often come across watches with good provenances but they often belong to someone famous who has deceased. This is a rare occasion where everything regarding the watch is very much alive & present with a lovely provenance from the United States Navy.

For sale is a beautiful Rolex OP Datejust Ref. 6605 in steel belonging to a U.S. Navy commander. Launched in 1945, the Rolex Datejust broke new ground by being the world’s first automatic wristwatch with a date function. The fact that this watch was also waterproof, accurate and reliable enough to be chronometer rated, was nothing short of sensational in 1945! Amongst the most rare Datejust models, we can definitely count the present ref. 6605.

Released in 1959 and made in limited numbers, the present reference can thus be considered among the most interesting Datejust variations both for technical and aesthetic reasons. Technically it is a workhorse powered by the Rolex Chronometer grade Cal.1066 – a 25 jewel automatic movement that can last up to 5 days on a good hand shake.

Aesthetically, it is the most practical everyday watch. I have said this earlier I will say this again, a simple whitish dial stainless steel watch on a bracelet is the most sensible watch that can be worn anywhere, from casuals to your suits, from beach to even a mission. You can count on any example be it the HMT Kohinoor, the Omega Seamasters or the Rolex Datejusts. With a flat fluted bezel the ref. 6605 draws a thin line between dressy & sporty hence beautifully amalgamating form and function.

This is a truly first class example of a 1950s vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust which is ready to wear and completely practical for everyday use. 

This particular watch, comes complete with original box and papers from 1960s, a rare feat in today’s world where fake and altered documents are not new and available everywhere. That is one thing you can expect from an officer, meticulous storage. The watch belonged to Commander Robert E. Karas of the U.S. Navy.

Commander Robert E. Karas.

Cdr. Robert Edward Karas was an officer in the U.S. Navy, who last served as the Commanding Officer (C.O.) of the Gearing class destroyer USS Henderson (DD-785). Born in Oviedo, Cdr. Karas was the CO of the ship from October 1971 to June 1973 as the naval documents suggest.

USS Henderson ( DD-785)

Commissioned in 1944, after 3 decades of extensive service, USS Henderson underwent several months of inspections and certifications in early 70s, which ultimately kept the warship in service in contrast to the mass 1970s decommissioning of many of her war-built sister ships. 

It is incredible to see the same Rolex worn by Commander Robert E Karas is wearing in the photograph, hence conforming the provenance. Cdr. Karas served as the commander of the USS Henderson (DD 785).

The ship was decommissioned and sold to Pakistan in 1980. It was commissioned as PNS Tughril (D167) in the Pakistan Navy.

The watch is available on Ebay at: https://www.ebay.com/itm/335811627198

Update: The watch has now sold.

It is an interesting story nonetheless. While we often drool upon watches with important historical provenance, this shows us how special even an average Ebay listing can be.