POW Chronograph w/ receipt signed by Wilsdorf

[southtexas]

This is pretty cool, and on eBay nonetheless.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/143143948480

[HERITAGE82]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[miamiclay]

I wonder if the POW Billig was the grandfather of Amy Billig, a famous unsolved disappearance in Miami in the 70s. Same small area (South Miami/Grove), uncommon surname.

[Dan S]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that the dial may have been refinished?

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that the dial may have been refinished?

Not just you. Also, that Jubilee, as stated in the description, is not, nor could not be, the original bracelet.

[CFR]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Not just you. Also, that Jubilee, as stated in the description, is not, nor could not be, the original bracelet.

To that point, I haven't taken French in many years, but the snippet of the old service document shown in the listing pics says "avec bracelet cuir," and cuir is leather.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by CFR

To that point, I haven't taken French in many years, but the snippet of the old service document shown in the listing pics says "avec bracelet cuir," and cuir is leather.

Nice catch! And yes, the Jubilee was introduced in 1945 (commemorating the company's 40th birthday), and first appeared in solid god, then later two-tone, and stainless steel (like this one) in the mid-50s...well after WW2.

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Not just you. Also, that Jubilee, as stated in the description, is not, nor could not be, the original bracelet.

This^^ I lost interest after seeing the bracelet....

[roh123]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

This^^ I lost interest after seeing the bracelet....

So tempted to buy the 225k watch before seeing the bracelet?

Not seeing Swiss markings at six speaks a volume about the dial. It is redone.

This is just four numbers away:

https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080119/179

Here’s a NOS one courtesy of Pucci Papaleo:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFajLcWK0xZ/

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by roh123

So tempted to buy the 225k watch before seeing the bracelet?

Not seeing Swiss markings at six speaks a volume about the dial. It is redone.

This is just four numbers away:

https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080119/179

Here’s a NOS one courtesy of Pucci Papaleo:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFajLcWK0xZ/

I'm always suspicious to see a rounded "3" in one subdial and a flat "3" in the other. And the NOS dial demonstrates that they should be consistent. Overall, quality of the sub-dials on the eBay watch was the thing that first caught my attention.

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by roh123

So tempted to buy the 225k watch before seeing the bracelet?

Not seeing Swiss markings at six speaks a volume about the dial. It is redone.

This is just four numbers away:

https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080119/179

Here’s a NOS one courtesy of Pucci Papaleo:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFajLcWK0xZ/

Never said I was a buyer, said I lost interest because it's pieced together therefore the story seems to be a lie or part of lie which makes it a complete lie in my eyes. Will never get anyone to buy it......

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that the dial may have been refinished?

imho 100% refinished

[pierson]

Originally Posted by greekbum

imho 100% refinished

Could you imagine the grandson, or great grandson, sending this in to Rolex to get serviced and having no idea the risk of them polishing and replacing the dial...

This is the exact definition of an heirloom watch. I mean, he was a Nazi pow and “the man” himself gave him the watch. Don’t think I could come up with a more fascinating background.

All ruined because some donkey at Rolex thought the dial was a bit dirty

[southtexas]

Sorry, I didn’t preface my statement with “if this is legit”. I got lazy.


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[swish77]

For a price tag approaching a quarter of a million dollars, they probably should have used a correctly sized spring bar instead of one sticking out the side of the watch.

Might be legit, bracelet issue aside, but even so ... wow, that's a ton of money!

[southtexas]

What is the perceived premium if all of the paperwork is original, including a receipt signed by the Man himself, even though the dial is redone (bracelet wouldn’t make much difference in any case)?


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[watch-guy.com]

Redialled over polished case movement very cleans for 1945 ( approx)
Documentation very limited

I am calling this totally over cooked

1/4 mill - that’s a laugh

Julian


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[Old Expat Beast]

By coincidence, I bought a full-set 1960s DJ 1603 from that seller several years ago (thru TRF) with a paper trail that tied it to an interesting military man from the USA. I had fun Googling him and his world travels for a couple of days. Luckily the watch was only about $2k or so, and I still have it