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In the universe of vintage collecting, there are watches that tell time, and then there are watches that tell a story. This Rolex is emphatically the latter. Co-branded and presentation timepieces are, to us, some of the most compelling and soulful watches you can find. They represent a tangible link to a specific moment in time, a human story of dedication and achievement from a bygone era of corporate culture.
For decades, the pinnacle of professional recognition was the presentation of a gold Rolex, a tradition embraced by corporations to honor decades of loyal service. This watch was awarded by a titan of American industry, Dayton Press Inc., once one of the largest printing companies in the world, responsible for churning out the iconic magazines that defined mid-century American life. The watch is powered by Rolex’s legendary Caliber 1520, a robust, automatic-winding movement famous for its use in the iconic Submariner. In a fantastic and desirable twist, this particular variant includes the “stop-second” or “hacking” feature, allowing for precise time-setting—a professional specification not often found on a dress piece of this era.
This specific example, with its perfectly proportioned 14k gold-filled case, is a time capsule. The stunning silver sunburst dial is in beautiful, original condition, but it’s the vibrant blue “Dayton Press Inc.” script and crest at 6 o’clock that truly sets it apart. The real soul of the watch, however, is found on the caseback. The deep, clear engraving reads “T.D.H. 1956-76,” beautifully documenting a twenty-year career. This isn’t an anonymous timepiece; it’s a personal artifact. It’s made complete with a fantastic, period-correct, gold-tone Rolex buckle, a detail that so often goes missing over the years.
The condition tells the story of a cherished possession. The dial remains crisp and bright, but the case bears the honest marks of daily wear. The gentle scratches and worn edges aren’t flaws; they are the evidence of a watch that was worn with pride by its original owner for years, a constant companion and a symbol of a lifetime of work. It’s this exact combination of a beautifully preserved dial and an honestly-worn case that we find so incredibly charming.
