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LyingFlat · 5 July 2020, 01:36 PM

One of my local classifieds has this Rolex listed for sale.

It's not a piece that I was looking at buying but it is quite interesting. Does anyone know this history of this model? The advertiser said that it is circa-1915, Sterling Silver case, case size 27.7mm, and lug-to-lug of 31.5mm.

offrdmania · 5 July 2020, 10:51 PM

It is a converted pocket watch, a very common practice when wrist watches were coming into style.

LyingFlat · 6 July 2020, 08:51 AM

Thanks you!

Do you know if it was something converted by Rolex or was done after-market?

vintagewatch · 7 July 2020, 12:32 AM

These watches often called "Trench" watches (Trench refers to wearing them in trenches during World War I) were made by Rolex as wristwatches at production. The W & D in the case back refers to Wilsdorf and Davis, the founding partners of Rolex.

MILGAUSS88 · 7 July 2020, 03:59 AM

"Converted" sounds like it was changed to a wristwatch at a later date.
Most likely this was watch left the shop as a wristwatch, although it is not much more than a pocket watch with a wire lug soldered on.

CTech · 7 July 2020, 05:52 AM

One way to get a bit more information about whether these watches were converted after they left the factory is to look at the area around the crown (winder) to see if there has ever been a bow (loop for a chain) fitted.

Some of the conversions done by jewelers or owners seem to be fairly crude and they have just removed the bow, leaving two holes in the stem. Some have had the holes filled in, but you can sometimes see the results of this.

This watch does not have the extended stem where a bow would fit, so there is a good chance that this left the factory as a wristwatch

LyingFlat · 7 July 2020, 06:34 AM

Thanks for the replies.

It's not something I was looking at buying - just had never seen one before. Very interesting to know more about one of Rolex's earlier pieces.

77T · 7 July 2020, 06:49 AM

As this is a rhetorical question, you’ll never really know which it is. I think this is possibly either a conversion or a pocket watch Rolex adapted themselves.

Interesting dial though...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Vlad · 7 July 2020, 08:15 AM

I think it's all original - i.e. as it left the factory. What's the diameter of the watch? If the diameter is 40+, then it's definitely a PW conversion. If the diameter is 25mm or so, it was made this way.

LyingFlat · 7 July 2020, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad

I think it's all original - i.e. as it left the factory. What's the diameter of the watch? If the diameter is 40+, then it's definitely a PW conversion. If the diameter is 25mm or so, it was made this way.

According to the seller the case is 27.7mm and lug-to-lug is 31.5mm

Old Expat Beast · 7 July 2020, 11:04 AM

Seems very small for an ex-pocketwatch.

SamSmith12 · 9 July 2020, 10:49 PM

Yes absolutely.

5 July 2020, 01:36 PM	#1
LyingFlat "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: AKL, New Zealand Watch: TT DJ41 Posts: 131	WW1 Rolex One of my local classifieds has this Rolex listed for sale. It's not a piece that I was looking at buying but it is quite interesting. Does anyone know this history of this model? The advertiser said that it is circa-1915, Sterling Silver case, case size 27.7mm, and lug-to-lug of 31.5mm. Last edited by LyingFlat; 5 July 2020 at 01:43 PM.. Reason: Adding images

5 July 2020, 10:51 PM	#2
offrdmania 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2008 Real Name: Matt Location: Wine Country, Ca Posts: 5,998	It is a converted pocket watch, a very common practice when wrist watches were coming into style. __________________ TRF Member 11738

7 July 2020, 06:49 AM	#8
77T 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: PaulG Location: Georgia Posts: 42,013	As this is a rhetorical question, you’ll never really know which it is. I think this is possibly either a conversion or a pocket watch Rolex adapted themselves. Interesting dial though... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro __________________ Does anyone really know what time it is?

7 July 2020, 11:04 AM	#11
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,825	Seems very small for an ex-pocketwatch. __________________ _______________________

6 July 2020, 08:51 AM	#3
LyingFlat "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: AKL, New Zealand Watch: TT DJ41 Posts: 131	Thanks you! Do you know if it was something converted by Rolex or was done after-market?

7 July 2020, 12:32 AM	#4
vintagewatch "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Real Name: David Location: Colorado, USA Watch: Sport 4digit ref# Posts: 295	These watches often called "Trench" watches (Trench refers to wearing them in trenches during World War I) were made by Rolex as wristwatches at production. The W & D in the case back refers to Wilsdorf and Davis, the founding partners of Rolex.

7 July 2020, 03:59 AM	#5
MILGAUSS88 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: mississippi river Posts: 3,190	"Converted" sounds like it was changed to a wristwatch at a later date. Most likely this was watch left the shop as a wristwatch, although it is not much more than a pocket watch with a wire lug soldered on.

7 July 2020, 05:52 AM	#6
CTech "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: USA Posts: 467	One way to get a bit more information about whether these watches were converted after they left the factory is to look at the area around the crown (winder) to see if there has ever been a bow (loop for a chain) fitted. Some of the conversions done by jewelers or owners seem to be fairly crude and they have just removed the bow, leaving two holes in the stem. Some have had the holes filled in, but you can sometimes see the results of this. This watch does not have the extended stem where a bow would fit, so there is a good chance that this left the factory as a wristwatch

7 July 2020, 06:34 AM	#7
LyingFlat "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: AKL, New Zealand Watch: TT DJ41 Posts: 131	Thanks for the replies. It's not something I was looking at buying - just had never seen one before. Very interesting to know more about one of Rolex's earlier pieces.

7 July 2020, 08:15 AM	#9
Vlad "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 813	I think it's all original - i.e. as it left the factory. What's the diameter of the watch? If the diameter is 40+, then it's definitely a PW conversion. If the diameter is 25mm or so, it was made this way.

9 July 2020, 10:49 PM	#12
SamSmith12 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: london Posts: 10	Yes absolutely.

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