All vintage Rolex watches tick, some more obviously than others
MORNINGTUNDRA | September 2020"I was taught that a genuine Rolex doesn't tick and must have a smoothly sweeping second hand."
Well, yes actually they do tick. It's a common misconception that a Rolex with a ticking second hand is a sign of a fake. This can be very misleading when looking at vintage Rolex.
If you inspect a Rolex watch closely under magnification with a jewelers loupe, the second's hand DOES tick many times per second. Even modern Rolex do this, albeit imperceptibly. Unlike some other high-end luxury watches, it is not a perfectly smooth sweeping motion. This is especially noticeable in vintage Rolex watches with their older movements.
The number of ticks per second is a function of the movements “beat rate”, usually measured in Hertz (Hz) or vibrations per hour (VpH). Hertz refers to the number of oscillations that the balance wheel in a watch’s movement makes in a single second.
A frequency of four Hz makes four full oscillations per second, or eight vibrations, which adds up to 28,800 vibrations per hour.
Vintage Rolex movements typically beat at 18VpH. More contemporary Modern Classic Rolex movements beat at 21 and 28 VpH. By comparison, quartz movements are orders of magnitude more precise with quartz crystal vibrating at 32,768 Hz.
In 2019, Zenith introduced the Defy Inventor, a limited-edition mechanical watch with a movement that hits 18 Hz (129,600 vph!)
Yes, Rolex made battery-powered quartz watches!
The 6556 was designed specifically for physicians to aid the measurement of a patient's pulse rate (heart beat). Like the later Rolex Oysterquartz, it ticks once per second thanks to a remarkably complex mechanism, based on caliber 1040.
Deadbeat seconds also called dead seconds or jumping seconds is a mechanical marvel known only to hardcore vintage enthusiasts. Introduced in 1954, it was a commercial flop despite being a remarkable engineering achievement.
Being rare and relatively unknown are characteristic hallmarks of great collectible models, and in 2015 the famed Philips auction house sold one for US$40K
CONCLUSION
YES, genuine vintage Rolex genuinely tick, while most modern models tick imperceptibly.

The Vintage Rolex Field Manual
Hard Cover Chevalier Print Edition
ISBN: 978-0578630823
Size: 8.5 x 0.9 x 11 inches
Weight: 2.5 lbs
Format: Hardcover
Published: 2020
196 vintage models
1,400+ distinct references
Timelines, charts, tables
Examples, photos, history
Watchmakers, restorers, dealers
What To Do Next
For a comprehensive list of models and their features, consult the book everyone's talking about.
At US$ 85.00 The Vintage Rolex Field Manual Chevalier Edition is a modest investment for a comprehensive education that could save you tens of thousands of dollars in expensive mistakes. It will introduce you to some well known and trusted professionals in the vintage Rolex industry. They will provide a starting point in your journey and help you reach your goals and find your first, next or last vintage Rolex.
Buy the book now from your favorite bookstore or right here, with free global shipping.To purchase a vintage Rolex contact
- Scott Baratz
- +1 (617) 968 7100
To restore a vintage Rolex contact
- Philip Ridley
- +1 (817) 821 2118
To refinish a vintage Rolex contact
- Mike Hui
- +1 (408) 800 3244
To relume a vintage Rolex contact
- James Hyman
- +44 754 825 2335
To service a vintage Rolex contact
- Tanner Morehouse
- +1 (701) 840 3287