WW2 watch

[Midas2410]

I just inherited a Rolex supposedly bought in Germany while my grandfather was serving over there as a paratrooper. I cannot find a watch like it and cannot find a serial number below 6. Curious if this was special issue, or grandpa wore a knock off Rolex after his service. Thanks in advance for any help or direction.

[Tools]

In the 40's, models like the Sub, DJ, GMT, etc., didn't exist, so it may not follow the "rules" that are talked about so much on Forums.

Serials and model numbers were often stamped inside the case-back, as well as other useful information, not to mention whatever it may say on the dial face.

[Midas2410]

Thanks, it does everything a Rolex is supposed to, guess I will have to take it to someone more “watch” educated. He wore it daily so it has some cleanliness issues

[Styles Bitchley]

Get up your post count and let’s see some photos.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by Midas2410

Thanks, it does everything a Rolex is supposed to, guess I will have to take it to someone more “watch” educated. He wore it daily so it has some cleanliness issues

I'll hold my nose while perusing some photos;-)

[Dan S]

I'm curious about the timing. An American GI bought a watch in Germany during WWII? Do you know any more?

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I'm curious about the timing. An American GI bought a watch in Germany during WWII? Do you know any more?

The way I read the OP, I don't think it was bought during the war, but is a WW2 watch bought in Germany during the postwar occupation.

[Rolexguy$]

I'll actually love to see pictures of it when you can post it.

Sent from my CPH2239 using Tapatalk

[linesiders]

BTW - you will probably find someone here more knowledgeable in that Rolex watch era than almost anyone you'll bump into on the street.

And not many (any?) more knowledgeable places on WW2 or just postwar watches than https://www.mwrforum.net/forums/foru...p?2-Main-Forum

So let's see some photos ; )

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I'm curious about the timing. An American GI bought a watch in Germany during WWII? Do you know any more?

Usually happened right after WWII.
My impression is that most of the Bubblebacks, came to the US that way.
I believe there were no Rolex ADs before WWII and only a handful immediately after.

I have bought about 10 bubblebacks, 2 came from DC, the rest came from military that were stationed in Europe, most likely Germany.

[Midas2410]

Hope this works (computer illiterate)B90F3C7E-FCE2-4484-B27A-1404B82E5AC0_4_5005_c.jpeg

[Midas2410]

not sure of the timing, I was told he bought it in Germany while he was there

[Midas2410]

picture posted, hope it helps

[Midas2410]

you are probably correct, trying to get a timeline of the era of the watch

[Stan Cooper]

Heath, the photo is too small and out of focus to make out any details. You can attach jpg images up to 293 kilobytes; your attachment is 22.2 kilobytes, so you can attach much larger images providing greater detail.

[MILGAUSS88]

Looks like a steel dress watch from the fifties, from the photo.
Very little information available compared to the oyster case watches.

That is why you are having trouble finding information.

[MILGAUSS88]

https://www.matthewbaininc.com/post/...-a-dress-watch

Here is a little snippet on Rolex dress watches.
He has one for sale, but the price is crazy.

[Midas2410]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

Heath, the photo is too small and out of focus to make out any details. You can attach jpg images up to 293 kilobytes; your attachment is 22.2 kilobytes, so you can attach much larger images providing greater detail.

hope this helps

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by Midas2410

hope this helps

Heath, I don't see the photo. Sorry.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Midas2410

you are probably correct, trying to get a timeline of the era of the watch

The watch seems to be pretty typical of the Oyster Precision models from the 50's.

It is unlikely to be any sort of special issue. It would be unusual to not see a serial number on the side of the case, but many early examples ave been worn down by the movement of the bracelet against it.

These watches almost always have the model number stamped inside the case back and the movement can be easily identified.

The Speidel band is, of course, not original.