1916 ROLEX WW1 military officer's watch
A special watch that needs an introduction
An early and considerably rare triple-signed ROLEX WW1 Military men's silver timepiece
made by Rolex that dates to 1916, and measures a solid 40mm end to end and 33.5mm in width
(37mm with antique pumpkin style crown). This is a seldom seen Borgel / Depollier Type Screw Bezel -
Screw Back lever escapement men's military officers watchband one of Rolex's early attempts at
making a hermetic waterproof case design (about 10 years before they would perfect the Oyster design
The original porcelain dial is in excellent condition - unsigned Rolex as most early models were. It features checkered
black 60 minute outer track dial with 60 second outer chapter and sweep blue steel second hand.
The glass crystal is a low dome and in excellent condition. The three piece Threaded Screw-on bezel / screw on back case is
not marked for content but appears to be Silver. It is in very good condition / both bezels screw on nice and tight.
The antique red gold pumpkin winding crown is a dandy / coolest looking crown I've seen in a while and in great, shiny shape
Turning the watch over, I note that it is in very clean shape - signed J.M.H.- NOV.1916 - an inscription that YOU WANT TO SEE
on an early military watch, as it gives provenance to the timepiece. Peeking inside via the threaded back lid (milled more simply
than the more decorative bezel) I find a freshly serviced Rebberg Calibre manual wind lever escapement movement signed
ROLEX SWISS MADE on the two winding gears. the inside of the case lid is clearly stamped W & D - ROLEX - SWISS - 698,058-29
As collectors will know the W&D hallmark stands for Wilsdorf & Davis, founders of Rolex.
The only other identical one I could find online is on the Vintage Rolex site on special for UK POUNDS 6920 which is about R120000. Screenshot of the page can be seen below
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Member of the Gemmological Society of South Africa
