G'day - Brand new to Rolex, what do I have?

[MazOrd]

G'day all,

Today I picked up my first, vintage, Rolex and would like to know what I have (I have zero knowledge about these watches). The back is engraved '1932' which seems to check out with the serial number.

It has a lot of extremely small engraving on the inside - I can see C1886D/E, 21487, C15049WH, 2354H, C5476W, C7675E, AT467K and 11072 with a few I can't make out - no idea what these numbers/serials are supposed to represent!

Appreciate if anyone can tell me what I have- model, anything else of interest. Going to have it serviced, with the intent of giving it to the wife as a present. Thanks for looking, and look forward to finding out more about what I've picked up!

[zapokee]

I know nothing of these old cocktail watches, but the font on those dial numbers is superb.

[mountainjogger]

Welcome to the forum.

Nice cocktail watch.

[1William]

Welcome.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations

I hope that one of the more knowledgeable members here can assist.

[Mark020]

The hand inscribed numbers are old watch maker service marks

[L.K Johnson]

What a thing of beauty!!

[BNA/LION]

Congratulations!

[Stan Cooper]

I believe that's earlier than 1932; the 41558 on the case is the case number, not the watch's serial number. The "9C" mark on the case shows, I believe, that the case is 9 carat gold.

The movement appears to be an early Aegler Rebberg, a Swiss manufacturer who made movements for Wilsdorf & Davis which became Rolex, as well as U.S. watch company Gruen and other manufacturers. Aegler eventually became part of Rolex.

There should be some hallmarks stamped in the case that would help date it. You have a gorgeous watch, but because it likely predates balance jewel shock resistant inventions like Incabloc, you need to take care not to subject it to dropping or accidentally hitting it on something.

This is my 1915 Rolex trench watch in a sterling silver hinged case.







Notice the case hallmarks.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

I believe that's earlier than 1932; the 41558 on the case is the case number, not the watch's serial number. The "9C" mark on the case shows, I believe, that the case is 9 carat gold.

The movement appears to be an early Aegler Rebberg, a Swiss manufacturer who made movements for Wilsdorf & Davis which became Rolex, as well as U.S. watch company Gruen and other manufacturers. Aegler eventually became part of Rolex.

There should be some hallmarks stamped in the case that would help date it. You have a gorgeous watch, but because it likely predates balance jewel shock resistant inventions like Incabloc, you need to take care not to subject it to dropping or accidentally hitting it on something.

This is my 1915 Rolex trench watch in a sterling silver hinged case.







Notice the case hallmarks.

Nice Stan.

[MazOrd]

[QUOTE=Stan Cooper;12287757]I believe that's earlier than 1932; the 41558 on the case is the case number, not the watch's serial number. The "9C" mark on the case shows, I believe, that the case is 9 carat gold.

The movement appears to be an early Aegler Rebberg, a Swiss manufacturer who made movements for Wilsdorf & Davis which became Rolex, as well as U.S. watch company Gruen and other manufacturers. Aegler eventually became part of Rolex.

There should be some hallmarks stamped in the case that would help date it. You have a gorgeous watch, but because it likely predates balance jewel shock resistant inventions like Incabloc, you need to take care not to subject it to dropping or accidentally hitting it on something.

This is my 1915 Rolex trench watch in a sterling silver hinged case.



Thanks for the info mate- really appreciated, and you have quite the watch there! Is there somewhere else on the movement where a serial number would be, if the one on the case is not the one for the watch? Really just trying to date it, and see if it has a model name etc. I'll get some pics of the hallmarks on the case when I get home today

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by MazOrd

Thanks for the info mate- really appreciated, and you have quite the watch there! Is there somewhere else on the movement where a serial number would be, if the one on the case is not the one for the watch? Really just trying to date it, and see if it has a model name etc. I'll get some pics of the hallmarks on the case when I get home today

I'm not sure it's a serial number, but on the dial side of the movement there is a number, 7153, and the word "REBBERG" indicating it's an Aegler Rebberg movement which were produced from 1902 to 1927. The Rebberg movement was replaced by the improved Hunter movement which looked similar.

"7153" seems like a low number for a serial number to me, but pure speculation on my part, they may have used the same serial numbers on different size movements. Mine is 13 Ligne in size.

Some information on hallmarks are on David Boettcher's website:
https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/swisshallmarks.php
and
https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/casemarks.php