Some watches are collectible because they are rare. Others become legendary because of the story attached to them. This 1972 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 1002 in solid 14K gold offers both.

In 1972, The Coca-Cola Company commissioned a limited number of Rolex watches as employee service awards to honor individuals who dedicated 25 years of service to the company. This example was awarded to David M. Leister Jr. on August 15, 1972, beautifully engraved on the original case back:

“25 Years Service

The Coca-Cola Company

David M. Leister Jr.

August 15, 1972”

What makes this particular example so special is its condition. The case remains completely unpolished, with sharp factory edges still fully intact. Over time, the 14K gold case has developed a beautiful natural patina that gives the watch warmth and character that cannot be recreated.

The silver dial is exceptionally clean and highly attractive, featuring a unique detail collectors will appreciate: the applied gold hour markers feature black tops, creating incredible contrast and giving the dial a much more distinctive appearance than standard examples. Combined with the clean original hands, the watch has a very elegant and uncommon look.

Everything on this watch remains original, including the original acrylic crystal. We only lightly polished the crystal using the Milano Straps acrylic crystal polishing kit to remove minor surface scratches while preserving originality.

The watch has been serviced by our watchmaker and is running exactly as it should.

It comes fitted on a premium leather strap from Milano Straps and includes its original Rolex gold buckle that originally came with the watch.

This is a true full set and includes:

• Original inner Rolex box
• Original outer box
• Outer box with matching employee name sticker
• Original green serial hang tag
• Original red chronometer hang tag
• Double punched papers
• Rolex translation booklet

This watch appears to have spent most of its life tucked away as a true safe queen, and it shows. Examples of Coca-Cola service award Rolex watches do appear occasionally, but finding one this complete, this original, and in this level of preservation is exceptionally rare.

This is likely one of the cleanest Coca-Cola presentation Rolex watches to ever come to market.