Watkins & Davies?

[NCBurrows]

I wonder if anyone could help me?

I sent pictures of a vintage Rolex wristwatch I inherited to an internet antiques valuation services and got back this reply.

"Your watch case was made in Birmingham in 1918 by a specialist
case making factory called Watkins and Davies"

I know next to nothing about Rolex watches but having done some research on the internet I assumed the W&D stamp on the case refered to Wilsdorf and Davis. I can find nothing on Watkins and Davies.

He dated the watch as 1918. I don't know whether this was because he knew of this type of watch or whether he went by the gold hallmark date stamp which is a letter t in an oval.

I think its a ladies watch although it has a diameter of 25mm which seems large for the day.

I have pictures if that would help (although I'd have to work out how to upload them)

Sorry to ask but just thought someone might be able to help.

[ROGERB]

Pictures would certainly help but I think your expert was mistaken and simply doesn't know it should be Wilsdorf not Watkins, not to mention no "e" in Davis!!
R

[NCBurrows]

Hopefully these pictures work ok.


http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...s/590bfc21.jpg

http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...s/9cb9dad4.jpg

http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...s/43eb92b1.jpg

http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...s/c03bd052.jpg

http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...s/e6a69d21.jpg

http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/...s/43eb92b1.jpg

[adam78]

Originally Posted by ROGERB

Pictures would certainly help but I think your expert was mistaken and simply doesn't know it should be Wilsdorf not Watkins, not to mention no "e" in Davis!!
R

I think you're being kind when you say "mistaken"! Expert....

[NCBurrows]

Roger & Adam. My thoughts too. I have posted some links to pictures but it says that a moderator needs to clear the post first.

Is it common to have a Rolex that has the case stamped both Rolex and W&D? The movement is also stamped Rolex but the watch face isn't. Maybe the face has been replaced.

Also, the glass is quite scratched which I thought unusual.

What year did they stop using the W&D motif?


It runs nicely (albeit a little slow which I assume can be altered).

I inherited the contents of an old friends house and whilst clearing our some draws came across the watch. I'd no idea it was a Rolex becasue it didn't say so on the dial. I think it is genuine as the old gentleman was in his late 80's and never bought or sold watches. I think it must have belonged to his mother.

Not being a watch collector myself I'll probably sell it but its facinating to do some research on it first.

[NCBurrows]

Managed to put a picture on my Avatar

[zeuloa]

Originally Posted by ROGERB

Pictures would certainly help but I think your expert was mistaken and simply doesn't know it should be Wilsdorf not Watkins, not to mention no "e" in Davis!!
R

Perhaps it's not a mistake as Rolex was not a manufacturer in its early days, but would buy parts, assemble the watches, and distribute. From what I understand they started in England, and at the beginning it was common for the dials to be unnamed.

Are you perhaps an expert in these type of early Rolex?

[zeuloa]

Double post.

[Alcan]

If the inner case back has this marking, it is a Wilsdorf & Davis. The case was probably made by Dennison Watch Case Co. who were located in Birmingham, and more likely than not has a Hermann Aegler "Rebberg" movement, named after the Rebberg district of Bienne where their factory was located.


Or something like that.

[ROGERB]

Originally Posted by zeuloa

Perhaps it's not a mistake as Rolex was not a manufacturer in its early days, but would buy parts, assemble the watches, and distribute. From what I understand they started in England, and at the beginning it was common for the dials to be unnamed.

Are you perhaps an expert in these type of early Rolex?

Even some of the most educated in our society (Doctors, Lawyers) refer to it as "practice". I am certainly NO expert and never will be
R

[NCBurrows]

Originally Posted by Alcan

If the inner case back has this marking, it is a Wilsdorf & Davis. The case was probably made by Dennison Watch Case Co. who were located in Birmingham, and more likely than not has a Hermann Aegler "Rebberg" movement, named after the Rebberg district of Bienne where their factory was located.


Or something like that.

The W&D symbol is identical to the one shown and is on the inside back of the case. Rolex is also stamped on the inside back of the case along with the hallmarks and serial number.

I think it might be described as a womens Deco watch if that makes sense. I don't think its worth more than £250 - £300 so I might get it tidied up and my wife will use it.

Thanks for all your help. If anyone does know anymore by looking at the pictures I posted then it would be great to hear.

Regards

N

[Puffy]

As has been mentioned early Rolex watches were assembled from parts made by many different manufacturers

Sent from my GT-I9100