Rolex submarine 1922 model

[crowncollection]

I have a rolex submarine 1922 not to be confused with a submariner it was the first water resistant watch mine is the 18k yellow gold version , it is in book 100 superlative rolexes any ideas of it's value

[Alcan]

Could you post some pictures of this watch? My understanding is that the first water resistant Rolex watch was introduced in late 1926.

[crowncollection]

This was rolexes first attempt They had not worked out the screw in crown system the whole watch is in a second case, you have to unscrew the bezel to access the winder I will take some photos, it was only water resistant not waterproof.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

I have a rolex submarine 1922 not to be confused with a submariner it was the first water resistant watch mine is the 18k yellow gold version , it is in book 100 superlative rolexes any ideas of it's value

No idea of value but would like a picture please post one of your submarine.
It was around 1924, the company named RWC now called Rolex,launched the first trademarked "Submarine",a water resistant wristwatch.As we all should know the biggest enemy of any watch is water.And without proper seals etc
even on a warm day the crystal could mist up on wrist when worn.

Now old Hans Wilsdorf was a clever man,and wanted to increase sales worldwide and especially in tropical climates.So he tried to make a watch that was waterproof,now the evolution of the oyster case was started.His idea was very simple,he would fit a case inside a case,and he called it the Submarine.Now this worked,but had certain drawbacks you had to open the case to wind it,and the outer case had a threaded screw on bezel to protect the watch.This was not very user owner friendly and caused wear on the hinges and bezel threads.So he started to look for a new idea for a waterproof wrist watch.

So later in 1925 he heard that two watchmakers one was Paul Perregaux other Perrolet they had taken out a swiss patent for a twin lock screwed stem system crown.Now Hans Wilsdorf of Rolex grasped that a hermetically sealed case, together with careful fitting of the crystal and a special stem mechanism, would produce a better water proof wristwatch.He quickly negotiated to have the Perregaux patent assigned to him. Wilsdorf then obtained a British patent on October 18 1926.And then soon after the Rolex Oyster was born and became a commercial success..
Then in 1927, a stenographer, Mercedes Gleitze, swam the English Channel with the unheard of accompaniment of a wristwatch –the Rolex Oyster— on her person for the entire 15 hour, 15 minute,swim and the rest is Rolex history and a great first big advertising first for Rolex,then we had to wait 30 odd years for the rebirth,from Submarine, to Submariner.

First Rolex Submarine.



Paul Perregaux patent screwed stem system 1925,which Hans Wilsdorf of Rolex acquired,to make the first oyster cased Rolex.

[Badfish179]

Padi,
I'm sure glad you are here. I couldn't afford to pay to learn the information you share with us for free! Thanks for your generosity.

(I just had to say it.)

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Badfish179

Padi,
I'm sure glad you are here. I couldn't afford to pay to learn the information you share with us for free! Thanks for your generosity.

(I just had to say it.)

X10

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Badfish179

Padi,
I'm sure glad you are here. I couldn't afford to pay to learn the information you share with us for free! Thanks for your generosity.

(I just had to say it.)

Originally Posted by MonBK

X10

Thanks guys my pleasure.

[HL65]

Thanks for great info. Padi--very cool!!!

[crowncollection]

hi , the info is great provided by the above member, however too add these were made for the indian, thialand, burma a singapore markets where it is extremely humid, they were not that popular as you had to undo the front to wind everyday so not that many were made.
I understand the boitre case as it was called is rare but not overly, the rareity comes from the dial saying sybmnarine, i read in another forum that there are only 3 know examples in the world left in 18k . 4 now lol, however i am not sure this is true. I contacted the major players in the rolex collecting game, two out of three wanted to buy it immediately, but would not divulge its value as they probably wanted it cheap. Even in the book 100 superlative rolexes, hess , goldberger and downing got together and shared photos, yet their is only a diagram so its must be rare. Rolex australia have never seen one, they said take it to geneve rolex, but they did say it is authentic. Does anyone know more ? value ?

[crowncollection]

Hi , the info is great provided by the above member, however too add these were made for the indian, thialand, burma a singapore markets where it is extremely humid, they were not that popular as you had to undo the front to wind everyday so not that many were made.
I understand the boitre case as it was called is rare but not overly, the rareity comes from the dial saying sybmnarine, i read in another forum that there are only 3 know examples in the world left in 18k . 4 now lol, however i am not sure this is true. I contacted the major players in the rolex collecting game, two out of three wanted to buy it immediately, but would not divulge its value as they probably wanted it cheap. Even in the book 100 superlative rolexes, hess , goldberger and downing got together and shared photos, yet their is only a diagram, not a real photo so its must be rare. Rolex australia have never seen one, they said take it to geneve rolex, but they did say it is authentic. Does anyone know more ? value ?

[Alcan]

From the photos you have posted this is a recent purchase from eBay which you're trying to validate. How long have you owned this watch?

[crowncollection]

Yes I bought from a guy on Australian eBay, he did not allow international bidders so it was a lucky buy as it only showed up on Australian eBay, his grandfather bought it new in Geneva he had no idea about watches and it's rarity or value, he just knew it was a old rolex , but it was not recent a few years ago, I have done some research, but do not know real value. I have checked Christies auction results no reference was found in previous sales.