Skip to main content
Curiosa
Sign InTry a scan

Roamer Rolled Gold Ladies Cocktail Watch c.1960s

Vintage Roamer ladies cocktail watch with 20 micron rolled gold case and braided wheat-link bracelet on a wooden surface. - view 1
1/3

Estimated value

$45 - $110

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Category

Watches

Brand

Roamer

Era

c. 1960-1965

Origin

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Authenticity

Very High(88%)
22

ROAMER ROLLED GOLD LADIES COCKTAIL WATCH C.1960S: IDENTIFICATION

Mid-century ladies' dress watch featuring a small 15mm-18mm round case with a fluted bezel. The dial is silvered with applied golden baton indices and an Arabic numeral at the 12 o'clock position. It is mounted on an integrated wheat-link style braided bracelet with an adjustable ladder clasp. The caseback displays the RW (Roamer Watch) logo inside a wreath, indicating the use of an in-house MST (Meyer & Studeli) caliber, common for this period.

Compare with other watches in the archive: Angus & Coote 'Faithful Lever' Pocket Watch (Elgin Movement) c.1915, Baume & Mercier Geneve Ladies Wristwatch c.1970s, Baume & Mercier Geneva Vintage Square Dress Watch c.1970.

CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS

Where This Object Echoes

Mid-Century Western Fashion1950-1965

The trend for 'hidden' jewelry-first watches used at formal evening events.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

  • •Commonly gifted as a graduation or 'coming of age' milestone for young women in the mid-20th century.

Meaning Through Time

1960s

A necessary functional accessory for a formal wardrobe.

Modern

Primarily valued as a vintage styling piece or heirloom rather than a precision timekeeper.

SCARCITY

Average55-70%
CommonLegendary

Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.

Rarity 4/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 11 watches items at rarity 4 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Standard antique shop items
  • Regularly available
  • Moderate collector interest

Confidence Factors

  • Correct RW logo and MST style caseback stampings
  • Age-appropriate patina on the dial and rolled gold shell
  • Period-accurate crown profile and bracelet construction
How does authenticity detection work?

WATCHMAKER'S ASSESSMENT

Vintage Watchmaker & Horology Specialist

Horologist

Identification is high due to the clear 'RW' caseback markings which are definitive for Roamer, despite the conflicting user note.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Caseback bears the RW shield logo of Roamer Watch Co.
  • 220 Micron rolled gold bezel indicates a mid-tier Swiss production standard.
  • 3Integrated braided bracelet is typical of 1960s cocktail designs.
  • 4Stainless steel back used to prevent skin corrosion, common in gold-filled pieces.
  • 5 MST movement signature was standard for Roamer before they transitioned to ETA/Sellita movements.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •The watch is almost certainly not a Baume & Mercier as specified in the user's paper note.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Open the snap-back case to verify the MST caliber number and check for movement corrosion.
  • →Test for mechanical functionality; if the balance wheel is sluggish, a full service is required.
  • →Confirm the hallmark on the clasp to see if the bracelet is original to the case.

CONDITION & GRADE

Fair to Good - cosmetic wear to plating, aging on dial

Grading breakdown

Wear is primarily localized to the friction points of the bracelet links. The dial shows minor foxing, though the hands and indices remain legible without significant corrosion.

Condition

Significant brassing and wear-through of the gold plating on the bracelet links and clasp. The crystal shows light surface scratches, and the caseback has a notable diagonal scratch across the 'RW' logo.

WATCH MARKET VALUE

$45 - $110

Updated: May 10, 2026

Who buys this

Vintage accessory enthusiasts and entry-level Swiss watch collectors looking for mid-century styling.

What increases value

  • •Functional mechanical movement
  • •Clarity of the fluted bezel
  • •Integrity of the braided bracelet links

What lowers value

  • •Significant plating wear on the high-contact areas of the bracelet
  • •Lack of original box and papers
  • •Small dial size (approx 15mm) limits modern wearable appeal

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Solid 14k or 18k gold case rather than rolled gold bezel
  • •Unworn 'New Old Stock' (NOS) condition with original hangtags

Grade & condition

Condition of the plating is the primary value driver for gold-filled ladies' watches.

Rarity & demand

AverageModerate demandModerate liquidity
Browse similar watches objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

RE

Rene

Fellow Collector•44 items

COMMENTS

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Sign in to leave a comment

ABOUT WATCHES

Wristwatches, pocket watches, clocks, and timepieces from all eras.

Watches value and rarity guide

SHARE THIS CURIOSITY

Have your own curiosities to discover?

Scan Your Curiosity