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Tylden Reed · 2 November 2011, 12:45 AM

Mistakenly I put the following in the 'WatchTech' section with no takers, I wonder if anyone who follows the Vintage Rx Discussion section can answer it? It is a serious topic.

Can anyone tell me the reason for the names Hunter and Open Face found on Rolex 10 1/2"' movements and what are the differences?
No prizes for the quickest correct reply!
Tylden.

Ebruner · 2 November 2011, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tylden Reed

Mistakenly I put the following in the 'WatchTech' section with no takers, I wonder if anyone who follows the Vintage Rx Discussion section can answer it? It is a serious topic.

Can anyone tell me the reason for the names Hunter and Open Face found on Rolex 10 1/2"' movements and what are the differences?
No prizes for the quickest correct reply!
Tylden.

Hunter winds from the side, open winds from the top. It is a reference to pocket watch movements.

-Eddie

Tylden Reed · 2 November 2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebruner

Hunter winds from the side, open winds from the top. It is a reference to pocket watch movements.

-Eddie

Hi Eddie.
Well done, half of the answer, why did Rolex name their watch movements Open Face and Hunter then? As far as I am aware Rx have never produced a wrist watch with a crown at the 12 o/c position.
Tylden.

Ebruner · 2 November 2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tylden Reed

Hi Eddie.
Well done, half of the answer, why did Rolex name their watch movements Open Face and Hunter then? As far as I am aware Rx have never produced a wrist watch with a crown at the 12 o/c position.
Tylden.

The may not have put an open face movement in a wristwatch, but if marked such, maybe they were sold to be cased in pocket watch cases. That is clearly what the markings mean. Any thoughts?

-Eddie

Tylden Reed · 2 November 2011, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebruner

The may not have put an open face movement in a wristwatch, but if marked such, maybe they were sold to be cased in pocket watch cases. That is clearly what the markings mean. Any thoughts?

-Eddie

Hi Eddie.
Sorry, not the answer I'm looking for. 'Open Face' 10 1/2"' movements WERE made and used in Oyster cases. What are the differences between them and 'Hunter' movements of the same size?
Anyone any ideas?
Tylden.

316lad · 3 November 2011, 12:33 AM

I've always thought of a "Hunter"/ "Half-Hunter" 'Open" in terms of the watch case design itself.

A Hunter can be closed up completely with a hinged casement for both the front face and the back movement. Handy when hunting so the watch doesn't get wet/ dirty or damaged.

A half Hunter has a hinged casement that closes but has a small hole in it that just leaves half the face - the inner part - visible, whilst ensuring a good level of protection.

An open case is just that - no hinged casement closure for the face at all.

Sorry if I've missed the point of your original post.

Rolex could have adopted the terms Hunter and 1/2 Hunter to differentiate between hand sizes for these movements, or case geometry. If they have It's a little conceited of them as the horological terms have been around a lot longer than they have.

Tylden Reed · 3 November 2011, 01:06 AM

Hi James.
Your comments regarding hunter and open face pocket watches is correct, the question set is what is the difference between the two Rolex movements and why were they called O/F and Hunter? There is a connection with pocket watches though neither movement was ever used in a pocket watch case.
For the record, I have many identification books including early Rolex books from the 30s but none show the Open Face movement. The 10 1/2"' Hunter was made for some time before it was given the 'new' name Cal. 700 in 1938. In the 1970s Rolex were running out of stock of spares for the 700. At that time they had nothing for the Open Face where parts were not interchangable with the Hunter movement!
Tylden.

Tylden Reed · 21 January 2012, 05:17 AM

Attachment 250819

Attachment 250820

Tylden Reed · 21 January 2012, 05:20 AM

Don't know what happened there. I typed a long piece on the Open Face and Hunter movements made by Rolex then lost them while attaching the illustrations. Must away now but will come back as soon as I can with the text - in the mean time you can see the two movements.

2 November 2011, 12:45 AM	#1
Tylden Reed TechXpert Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Tylden Reed Location: Kent UK Watch: GMTII and more Posts: 175	Vintage quiz - 1 question - no prizes! Mistakenly I put the following in the 'WatchTech' section with no takers, I wonder if anyone who follows the Vintage Rx Discussion section can answer it? It is a serious topic. Can anyone tell me the reason for the names Hunter and Open Face found on Rolex 10 1/2"' movements and what are the differences? No prizes for the quickest correct reply! Tylden.

3 November 2011, 12:33 AM	#6
316lad "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Posts: 1,642	I've always thought of a "Hunter"/ "Half-Hunter" 'Open" in terms of the watch case design itself. A Hunter can be closed up completely with a hinged casement for both the front face and the back movement. Handy when hunting so the watch doesn't get wet/ dirty or damaged. A half Hunter has a hinged casement that closes but has a small hole in it that just leaves half the face - the inner part - visible, whilst ensuring a good level of protection. An open case is just that - no hinged casement closure for the face at all. Sorry if I've missed the point of your original post. Rolex could have adopted the terms Hunter and 1/2 Hunter to differentiate between hand sizes for these movements, or case geometry. If they have It's a little conceited of them as the horological terms have been around a lot longer than they have.

3 November 2011, 01:06 AM	#7
Tylden Reed TechXpert Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Tylden Reed Location: Kent UK Watch: GMTII and more Posts: 175	Hi James. Your comments regarding hunter and open face pocket watches is correct, the question set is what is the difference between the two Rolex movements and why were they called O/F and Hunter? There is a connection with pocket watches though neither movement was ever used in a pocket watch case. For the record, I have many identification books including early Rolex books from the 30s but none show the Open Face movement. The 10 1/2"' Hunter was made for some time before it was given the 'new' name Cal. 700 in 1938. In the 1970s Rolex were running out of stock of spares for the 700. At that time they had nothing for the Open Face where parts were not interchangable with the Hunter movement! Tylden.

21 January 2012, 05:17 AM	#8
Tylden Reed TechXpert Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Tylden Reed Location: Kent UK Watch: GMTII and more Posts: 175	Attachment 250819 Attachment 250820

21 January 2012, 05:20 AM	#9
Tylden Reed TechXpert Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Tylden Reed Location: Kent UK Watch: GMTII and more Posts: 175	Don't know what happened there. I typed a long piece on the Open Face and Hunter movements made by Rolex then lost them while attaching the illustrations. Must away now but will come back as soon as I can with the text - in the mean time you can see the two movements.

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