Very Vintage Rolex, Unidentified

[WatchMakerSon]

I am going through several boxes of watches that my dad left me. He was a watchmaker. Most of them I can identify, yet some elude me.

I have a movement with absolutely NO markings that I can see and a very vintage Rolex dial. I was hoping that somebody in here might be familiar with it and offer some info on it.

Sorry... forgot to state that the movement is approximately 27.5mm, widening to 28.5mm where it supports the dial.

Thanks in advance,
Craig

[wholesaleneon]

wow....thats OLD looking

[WatchMakerSon]

LOL!!! Hence the title VERY Vintage Rolex. :)

[WatchMakerSon]

Ok, I finally located the movement:

http://www.ukwatches.com/frame.html

Click on "Rolex for Sale" in the left hand frame, and it's the first watch listed. Click on "View Movement".

The site is owned by James Dowling, a Rolex expert. The movement is identified as:

"The movement is the rhodium finished, 15-jewel Rolex rebberg calibre. These watches were some of the very first men's Rolex watches ever made and were almost all bought by officers in the allied armies during the First World War."

of 1914 Vintage.

Anybody have any more info on this movement?

Again, thanks in advance.
Craig

[WatchMakerSon]

Wow, I thought I posted to this thread but it didn't show up. Some thread is going to get a strange post to it! :)

Anyway, I've been able to find out some info on the movement. The site is run by James Dowling, a Rolex expert.

http://www.ukwatches.com/frame.html

On the left side, click "Rolex for Sale". On the first watch in the list click "Show Movement" and you'll see the same one shown above including a total lack of identifying marks.

His is dated 1916.

Here's the synopsis on the movement:
"The movement is the rhodium finished, 15-jewel Rolex rebberg calibre."

Does anybody have any additional info on this movement? Any info would be greatly appreciated as I'm attempting to place a price on it.

Thanks in advance.
Craig

[TheVTCGuy]

It's a piece of junk Craig... but... just cause I'm a nice guy I'll give you 10 bucks for it.... no need to thank me just trying to help you out.

On a more serious note, I don't know anything about it but sure would like to find something like that rumaging through my dad's stuff! I seriously hope you're going to have it restored(?). There are some fantastic watchmakers here on TRF that can do magic with vintage watches. I'd be proud to wear that thing in it's old glory. Congrats!

[WatchMakerSon]

LOL! Ya know what's funny? I just sold an old 14K Illinois on eBay and got a few (Serious!!) replies such as that... offering me 5 bills for the watch. It eventually closed at over $1500. Turns out it was one of only ten known to exist. Sometimes it's fun to go through old boxes! :)

I thought about restoring the Illinois since I adored it's tank design, but never did it. I don't have a case for this one... so there's nothing to tempt me to restore it. I appreciate the info tho. I think I'm just going to work at getting this into the hands of somebody who can do something with it.

Thanks again! :)
Craig

[wholesaleneon]

go drop it off at an AD and tell em you want the COR service...lol