Rolex Sterling Silver Officers Trench Wristwatch, 1915

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Rolex Sterling Silver Officers Trench Wristwatch, 1915

About the Item

A very rare vintage Officers wristwatch with sweep centre seconds by Rolex made in 1915. Sterling Silver round case with hinged bezel and back, hallmarked for London Import into the United Kingdom in 1915. 15-Jewel Rolex movement with extra wheel adjustment for sweep centre seconds. The majority of watch movements during this period had a subsidiary seconds dial and it was extremely rare to have a movement with sweep centre seconds. White enamel dial with black period Arabic numerals and red 12. Black minute chapter. Fancy blued steel hands. The Officers wristwatch represents a pivotal moment in horological evolution which occurred at the start of the 20th century. Before World War One wristwatches were not commonplace, only a few military men, automobilists and aviators had adopted them. Pocket watches worn on chains were the norm. However, the impracticality of using a pocket watch during combat in the trenches, led many Officers to privately purchase and wear watches, on leather straps on their wrist, instead of the standard issue military pocket watches. These early wristwatches became known as “Officers” or "Trench" watches. They had the same look as a pocket watch, as they were based on the old pocket watch movement but they needed to be adapted and made smaller to be worn on the wrist. It was after the First world war when their popularity took off and it became fashionable to wear a “wrist-watch”. Case, movement and dial signed. Case Measurements: Diameter (Width): 34 mm / 3.4 cm / 1 5/16” (1.34 Inches) Length (lug to lug): 39 mm / 3.9 cm / 1 ½” (1.54 Inches) All watches are given a full thorough service. They are stripped down to their individual parts, thoroughly checked for any obvious wear and tear, cleaned, re-oiled, reassembled and regulated. The final result is that the case, dial and movement are in pristine condition.

Creator:
Rolex
Case Material:
Silver,Sterling Silver
Case Dimensions:
Width: 1.34 in (34 mm)Diameter: 1.34 in (34 mm)Length: 1.54 in (39 mm)
Place of Origin:
Switzerland
Period:
1910-1919
Date of Manufacture:
1915
Condition:
Pristine, fully serviced, 2 year guarantee and full after sales maintenance service.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 26701stDibs: LU9224995263

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Rolex

While the rise in popularity of vintage Rolex watches is of no surprise to aficionados, collectors and industry experts, when it comes to contemporary luxury wristwatches, Rolex is also often the first brand that springs to mind. Not only is the company revered for its precision timekeeping and impeccable craftsmanship, but its name was designed to be memorable.

Rolex's enviable worldwide recognition can be credited in part to the genius of company founder Hans Wilsdorf. When the German-born watch dealer and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, set up their London enterprise, in 1905, they called it Wilsdorf & Davis, according to the traditional formula.

But Wilsdorf was determined to come up with another name that was short, would look good on a watch dial and was easy to say and remember in several languages. In 1908, he trademarked the name Rolex, and by 1920, he had moved the company to Geneva and redubbed it as Montres Rolex S.A.

But the main reasons for the brand’s success are its aforementioned commitment to precision and unflagging pursuit of innovation. In 1926, the company introduced the aptly named Oyster model. With a screw-down crown and case back, both fitted with rubber gaskets, this was the first truly waterproof watch.

Five years later, Rolex upped the ante with the Oyster Perpetual. That model’s patented Perpetual movement contained a rotor mechanism enabling it to self-wind. In another trendsetting move, in 1945, the brand debuted the Datejust, with a date window prominently displayed on the dial.

The company’s two most iconic models are sports watches. Although the Submariner, which debuted in 1953, was developed as a dive watch, its waterproof case, solid construction and good looks made it a favorite of adventurers and urbanites alike, including James Bond, who wore it in classics like Dr. No and Goldfinger. The Daytona, the racing chronograph made famous by Paul Newman, is especially sought after by collectors. Newman’s personal Daytona, which hit the auction block in 2017, sold for $17.8 million.

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