Help identifying my vintage 1930s Rolex please

[smithcorp]

Hi there - I have registered on the forum in the hope the knowledgable folk here can help identify my old Rolex.

I inherited my Uncle's 1930s gold manual watch which family lore says is a Rolex of some kind (Tudor or Oyster). My Uncle received it for his 21st in 1935 (and my father received a similar watch for his a few years earlier).

There are no maker markings on the watch other than an engraving on the plain back. The face has an unusual gold-coloured lozenge pattern and the 12 marker is red painted it seems. Sweep second-hand sub-dial above the 6.

I'd appreciate if anyone can shed light on model and year please. From Googling old Rolex images, it certainly looks like an old Oyster, but I haven't been able to find any pictures with the same type of face design (lozenges).

I'd also appreciate advice on the right sort of authentic strap to fit to the watch.

Thanks in advance

smith

[Tools]

Snap off the back cover and see if it has a Rolex movement..

[smithcorp]

Bit nervous about snapping the back cover off - is this an easy thing to do? Would the movement have serial numbers or info stamped on it which would further identify it in terms of year, model etc?

Also, can nayone recommend a good book resource which might cover this era (early to mid-thirties)?

thanks

[Time Exposure]

Take it to a reputable jeweler if you're nervous, but yes it's an easy thing to do. In the same breath I will warn you that I assume no liability for damage. Without studying the watch, the snap backs (so called because the case back literally snaps off from its friction fit) from this era have one corner (as observed from the back) that has a bit of a groove. This is where you would insert the sharp edge of a small bladed (but sturdy) knife (doesn't need to be razor sharp). Try to pry it open from this corner. If the case back "gives" a bit but doesn't snap off, try slipping the blade edge further along the edge of the case without pushing the blade into the watch. At some point the back will snap off or you'll lose your nerve. Either way, give it a rest, as you don't want to force anything. Then take clear pictures of the movement AND the inside back of the cover and let us play detective!

[watch-guy.com]

What makes you think this watch is a Tudor or Rolex. ?

I agree you need to see the movement and case back

Juian

[Paul]

Seems to be a dying art nowadays.

[smithcorp]

Not sure what's happening to my posts - this is my third attempt in 12 hours or so to respond.

I opened the case, found the watch is a Hantily. Inside the case back is a hand symbol, 9CT, and a serial number.

The movement has no branding, but has Three 3 Adjustments, Fifteen 15 Jewels and Swiss Made stamped on it.

I will post some pics when I can take photos in daylight, but from a quick google, it appears to be an Australian brand, with gold cases and using an AS340 movements.

I'd love more info on it; and a suggestion for sourcing an authentic 30s style strap.

regards

smith

ps - for watch-guy - my thought it was a Rolex came from the family when it was given to me as 'Uncle Len's Rolex.' Maybe in the same way all vacuum are Hoovers, all gold watches are Rolexes.

[bombers157]

Re the Hantily case
Handley and Tilley were watch case manufacturers in Melbourne Australia in the 1920' and 1930's. They had what seems to a less than amicable split in 1933/4 resulting in Handley suing Tilley. So it is possible to approximately date cases as a result. Anything trademarked HANTILY would logically be pre 1934 and anything trademarked HANDLEY would be post 1934.
The old Handley and Tilley factory is now part of the Skipping Girl Apartments in Victoria Street Abbottsford.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by bombers157

Re the Hantily case
Handley and Tilley were watch case manufacturers in Melbourne Australia in the 1920' and 1930's. They had what seems to a less than amicable split in 1933/4 resulting in Handley suing Tilley. So it is possible to approximately date cases as a result. Anything trademarked HANTILY would logically be pre 1934 and anything trademarked HANDLEY would be post 1934.
The old Handley and Tilley factory is now part of the Skipping Girl Apartments in Victoria Street Abbottsford.

That's the kind of post I like

[smithcorp]

Hi chaps - I steeled myself tonight and snapped the case back off. It's not a Rolex, but a Hantily.

I will post photos later (my phone's camera outputs were not good) but on the inside of the case back is: Hantily 9ct and 959209, as well as a hand symbol.

The movement shows "Swiss Made", "Three 3 Adjustments" and "Fifteen 15 Jewels".

From some googling it seems Hantily was an Australian watch maker. The movement looks just like this one:

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f11/loo...ch-534569.html

To watch-guy.com, the reason I thought it was a Rolex was this was how it was described to me after my Father's death - "here is Uncle Len's Rolex." Family lore, is there anything less reliable?

Anyhow, it's a lovely watch and I'd like to know more about Hantily; and also what sort of strap would be authentic to the era (1935)?

Thanks for your advice,

smith