WW1 Era I'm guessing - a couple beauties!

[Chadridv]

Anyone know anything about these wrist watches? I'm assuming they are close to 100 years old.

Anyone have any insight on these? What they're called, or model names, etc?

Also, are these watches that RSC would service or would I have to take a different route to have them looked at?

They sure are beautiful, enjoy the pics!

[wallasey runner]

They are generally known as officers watches or trench watches and a lot date from the first world war. If you open the back there should be some silver hallmarks inside and these together with the serial number (if you can find one) will help you date it.

The more desirable ones are from 1914' 15' 16 etc rather than later ones from the late teens and early twenties after the war.

I think the dial is enamel.

An expert will be along soon !!!!

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by wallasey runner

They are generally known as officers watches or trench watches and a lot date from the first world war. If you open the back there should be some silver hallmarks inside and these together with the serial number (if you can find one) will help you date it.

The more desirable ones are from 1914' 15' 16 etc rather than later ones from the late teens and early twenties after the war.

I think the dial is enamel.

An expert will be along soon !!!!

This was already very helpful! Thank you for taking the time.

[MILGAUSS88]

Both of these watches appear to have silver cases that were made in England.
It should have English silver hallmarks on the inside of the back of the case. It will be one letter.
Take a photo and post it, or you can look up the date yourself on the Internet and can date the watch to the exact year.

[andromeda160]

Coronet didnt exist in the teens either so the dials are likely redone

[Old Expat Beast]

A couple of similar pieces for reference (The Best of Time, Dowling & Hess).

[MILGAUSS88]

Typically the cases are marked "W&D" for Wilsdorf and Davis.
Assuming that it has Birmingham marks, here are the date codes
1911 m
1912 n
1913 o
1914 p
1915 q
1916 r
1917 s
1918 t
1919 u

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

Coronet didnt exist in the teens either so the dials are likely redone

X2

I thought the font on the first watch looked to thick for that time frame as well.

So, without looking at inside of case or movement, it is questionable if it is a Rolex, as other companies made the same style of watch.

[jeff hess]

dial on subject watch is either fake or has added Rolex.

MOST of these early Rolexes had no name on dial. MANY people added the name on them.

Also, MANY faked up English watches appeared in the 1980's. These were attributed to an American living in the UK at the time.

Alledgedly, he would find any old trench watch, rebberg or not and put Rolex on the case, on one of the winding wheels and often on the dial.

Further to the problem is that many early imported W&D watches were NOT Rolex. And many that were Rolex were sloppy and yet, genuine Rolexes.

This is a slippery slope and one needs to use common sense when buying these old trench watches out of the UK.

Either way, cool watch and highly collectable.

Jeffrey P. Hess

[Ue11]

Based on the winding crown and the setting pin, this looks like a Borgel case. This was a step on the way towards waterproofing where the movement screws out. Would be interesting to see photos of the movement and the inside of the case back. Nice watch!