1920 rolex

[smurray1]

Hi, i am new to this forum. This is my grandfather's watch. It still works, but not very well. Will run for about 5 minutes max. There appears to be a problem with the winding mechanism. It probably also needs a good service and repair.

rolex1.jpg

rolex2.jpg

rolex3.jpg

Is this a watch worth spending money on to get it running properly again? Is it a lower end watch? It is stamped Rolex inside but not on the face. Could anyone tell me what would be the typical service/repair/refurb cost of a watch of this age. I will not be parting with it but it would be nice to get it running and I would wear it if it was. I like the fact it is so old.

Thanks for your help.

[Tools]

Nice looking watch, Sterling Silver case.

Find yourself a good watchmaker in the area and ask for an estimate. Sometimes anything Rolex automatically gets hiked up.

Rolex frequently made watches back then that had a clean face so the vendor could put their own name on the dial. It's also possible that at some point the dial was refinished..

It may cost near market value to get it into top shape, but if you don't, who will ??

There is some personal satisfaction in bringing an heirloom back to working and wearing condition and enjoyment by a few more family generations...

[smurray1]

Thanks for the feedback. That's exactly what I feel myself. It's nice to bring an old watch like this back to life. The watch is very small compared to modern watches and I was in doubt for some time that it was actually a gents and that it may have been my grandmothers rather that fathers! Is it your opinion that this is a gents watch?

[Tools]

I would say so.

Gent's watches were never the size we see now days; most were 29-33mm, and ladies were incredibly small with thin rope/chain style bracelets.

[andromeda160]

I would get it fixed, it's a very interesting, early rolex IMO, and it's quite unique. The cases back then were like all trench watches from what I've seen, some
Are hinged, some are snap fit, but all the ones I've seen have been round. It's interesting seeing how they were working to make a dust proof watch back then, and how they put a ring around the movement that meets with the recessed circle in the caseback to create a seal, and to ensure the caseback stays in place they actually put a guide pin that pops into the caseback as well. While it wouldn't hold up against water, the movement looks rather nice for its age. I personally haven't seen a case like this from pre 1920, but we can be assured it is because of the w&d and rolex stampings. It's a neat piece of rolex history. It'd be great to see it back on your wrist. I have a zenith trench watch and rolex trench watch from the era, neither are running yet but I'll post pics of this vintage strap band I bought for it as I think a similar band would be perfect for yours

[andromeda160]

Double post

[CrownMe]

Cool looking watch. If your drawn to it i say go for it.would be a fun project.

[smurray1]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

I would get it fixed, it's a very interesting, early rolex IMO, and it's quite unique. The cases back then were like all trench watches from what I've seen, some
Are hinged, some are snap fit, but all the ones I've seen have been round. It's interesting seeing how they were working to make a dust proof watch back then, and how they put a ring around the movement that meets with the recessed circle in the caseback to create a seal, and to ensure the caseback stays in place they actually put a guide pin that pops into the caseback as well. While it wouldn't hold up against water, the movement looks rather nice for its age. I personally haven't seen a case like this from pre 1920, but we can be assured it is because of the w&d and rolex stampings. It's a neat piece of rolex history. It'd be great to see it back on your wrist. I have a zenith trench watch and rolex trench watch from the era, neither are running yet but I'll post pics of this vintage strap band I bought for it as I think a similar band would be perfect for yours

Very interesting thank you. Looking forward to seeing the pictures.

[smurray1]

Originally Posted by CrownMe

Cool looking watch. If your drawn to it i say go for it.would be a fun project.

I think I will! If I do then I will post pictures of the end result.

[silverbug]

To the OP; you probably know this already, but the silver case bears import hallmarks for London 1920 as all foreign-made silver items retailed in the UK had to be assayed and hallmarked to confirm they contained a minimum of 925 parts silver per thousand ie conformed to the official silver Standard.