1940 Rolex Dress Watch Stainless Steel Salmon dial retailed by Beyer Ref. 4051

Beyer Zurich
Here’s a beautiful Rolex dress watch that is older than 80 years. The Rolex reference 4051 belongs to a group of 1940s dress watches where case design plays a central role. The elongated, slightly sculpted lugs give the watch an interesting and distinctive look, while the very thin and fine bezel gives it some more size.

The main feature here is the the salmon dial with printed Roman quarters and batons. Neither the Rolex coronet nor the hour markers are applied and the light konkav shape of the dial makes it look much larger overall. The salmon or in this case very pink hue adds an exotic tone to the watch and pairs particularly well with the stainless steel case — a winning combination that is desirable among in the collecting community. This example is double signed by Beyer in Zurich, one of the oldest watch retailers, and a name closely associated with Rolex over many decades. Double signatures from Beyer are uncommon and generally well regarded by collectors, some Patek Philippe watches have also been double-stamped by Beyer.

The case remains well preserved and proportioned, with the steel construction giving the watch a slightly more understated feel compared to similar pieces in gold. Together with the dial and lugs, it creates a balanced and easy presence on the wrist.
In today’s context, retailer signatures have taken on more attention again, especially following Rolex’s recent acquisition of Bucherer. A watch like this, carrying the Beyer name, reflects that long-standing relationship between brand and retailer in a quiet way.