Box Set of 1946 Rolex Books

[Old Expat Beast]

ROLEX JUBILEE VADE MECUM

Up for sale here is my Rolex Jubilee Vade Mecum, a rare, limited-edition box set of four illustrated books, published in Switzerland by Rolex 70 years ago in 1946. Production was limited to 1,000 sets in the English language (500 sets in a couple of other languages). How many remain in existence today is anyone’s guess.

The first volume is a fairly brief but interesting autobiography by Hans Wilsdorf, detailing his early life and how he built Rolex into the company that it had become by World War II. The three other volumes are written by Alfred Chapuis and Eugene Jaquet, and each features much information on Rolex watches, including some detailed illustrations and diagrams.

Volume I: Step by Step (by Hans Wilsdorf)
Volume II: The Evolution of the Wrist-Watch Chronometer
Volume III: How the Waterproof Watch Came Into Being
Volume IV: The Story of the Self-Winding Watch

Each of the books in this set is numbered 223/1,000 and each book is in excellent condition. There is no foxing or discolouration on the pages (134 plus inside covers in total). The outer case has a short tear. Dimensions are approx 8.5 x 5.5 inches.

Rolex recently featured animated illustrations from this Vade Mecum in a promotional clip about the Datejust: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2nsJY1AX_I (from the 45 second mark).

My price is US$685 including international registered express airmail.

Paypal is fine, with the gift option.

Please PM me if you would like to see more photos, or if you have any questions.

Thank you.