Rolex Solid Silver ‘Officers’ Trench Watch 96 Years Old - 30mm, Beautiful Patina Engine Turned Dial - Rare Collectors Watch - Good Order

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Seller: oldwatchcompany ✉️ (822) 100%, Location: Birmingham, GB, Ships to: WORLDWIDE, Item: 355485763479 Rolex Solid Silver ‘Officers’ Trench Watch 96 Years Old - 30mm, Beautiful Patina.

A Rare and historic Rolex ‘Officer’s wristwatch in good working order following an inspection by a Rolex specialist watchmaker. Factory engine turned original dial signed ‘Rolex’ Swiss Made carrying beautiful patina. Powered by Rolex’s in-house 10.5 ligne 15 Jewelled movement.


This special Rolex is housed in a 30mm (without crown) 925 silver hinged case, which is in solid condition and powered by the rare 10.5 L Rolex 15 Jewelled movement which is running good and reliably. This is a highly collectable watch from horology’s most famous name, will make a wonderful addition to any Rolex collection. A simple and wonderful Officer’s hand wound wristwatch from 1928. The watch is all original apart from the leather strap band. The case is also very good throughout with solid structural integrity and the movement is very well, quite amazing in fact, for a watch which is 96 years old!


This watch movement was tremendously successful for Rolex and it can be fairly said to have well and truly trounced the competition! It is said the Germans were at a significant disadvantage during WW1 because they had to rely on generally poor quality and unreliable pocket watches and their wrist watches were even worse!


During the Great War, British Officers and those of the Alliance forces were issued with Officers wristwatches for the first time. As Rolex was uniquely well placed to supply these, large orders were placed for their ‘Rolex’ watches, fitted with 10.5 ligne (in house) and (outsourced)

Aegler, 13 Ligne movements, specified with military porcelain-enamel, engine turned or sunburst dials and mostly steel cases as solid silver cases and gold was rare. These movements became a military tour de force, storming the watch industry throughout the war and continuing all the way up to 1930. Cheaper versions with 7 Jewels movements, were also produced in stainless steel and Nickel. At the same time, rare examples were such as this watch, were also specified with 15, 17, 18 Jewel movements fitted to precious metal cases. Unbreakable lenses had also been developed in response to military demands by 1916 so lens protectors became no longer required from this point onwards.


Original Dial: The simple wonderful original engine turned dial is seen here signed Rolex followed by aged applied Arabic numerals . The dial carries the desirable subsidiary seconds dial at ‘6’ and the original set of blue steel ‘Cathedral hands’. Outer chapter ring 1/5th of a scale with hour and minute markers. The dial has lovely patina with age related marks. Please observe photos. Subsidiary seconds dial in good working order.


Original Crystal: Acrylic dome crystal in good condition.


Original Case: The rare, solid silver hinged watch case measures 30mm in diameter, excluding the period unsigned crown. The case carries London 1928 silver import hallmarks and G.D markings which is to be expected since all Rolex watches with precious metal cases were supplied by one of a handful of case makers based in Birmingham U.K which were; Dennison, B&S W&D. and as seen here Dimier Bothers & Co Ltd G.D. Wilsdorf ’s aim was to simplify the branding of his best quality watches, meaning the omission of ‘W&D’ or ‘Rolex Watch Co’ or ‘RWC’ or ‘Rolex’ which is shown on the case, movement and dial. A silver or gold case for a Rolex Officer’s watch in 1928 with a top of the line Rolex watch movement was of course quite an extravagance in the years of the Great depression. As can be seen, the case-back is hinged. The hinge area is secure. The case-back cover is a nice secure snug fit, pressing back with a very reassuring click. The wire lugs are in solid condition, signs of previous repairs can be seen under magnification not noticeable to the naked eye. Case has surface scratches all over commensurate with age and wear.


Original Case Back Cover Outer: The hinged case cover is as structurally sound and full thickness. Has surface scratches and a couple of age related pin dents commensurate with age and wear.


Original Case Back Cover Inner: Signed R.W.C Ltd G.D ROLEX 7 WORLD’S RECORDS GOLD MEDAL

GENEVA - SUISSE. The case carries the London import Hallmark denoting the watch case was assayed in 1928. Also found below is the case number 62898Y. Period service markers present.


Original Movement: The rare original Rolex Deluxe 15Jewel, Calibre.10.5 (Ligne) Rolex hand wound watch movement was built in-house by Rolex, most movements were sourced from the Aegler Watch Company of Rebberg, Bienne Switzerland. This watch movement is properly signed, with “Rolex 15 15 Rubies Swiss Made’. This means there is no doubt this is the correct Rolex high grade watch movement. Inspected by a Rolex specialist watchmaker keeping accurate time and running beautifully.


Original Crown/Winder: Unsigned crown as it was back in the 1928. Adjusts and winds correctly.


Strap/Buckle: Unauthentic brand new aftermarket brown grain leather strap and steel buckle recently fitted.


*Please observe photos carefully as they form part of the description*


Please note this Rolex is over 96 years old. Shipping DHL insured registered post World wide, buyer responsible for any taxes or duties due which may delay or hold up your shipment at destination port.


Additional Information;


‘The greatest triumph in watch making, the Rolex Oyster. The wonder watch that defies the elements.’


The headline from the front page of the Daily Mail newspaper, November 24th, 1927. Hans Wilsdorf (founder of the Rolex watch company) had succeeded in producing a truly waterproof watch and took the whole front page to advertise his achievement. Following years of striving to improve the ‘wristlet’ or wristwatch, Wilsdorf patented the Oyster case in September 1926. Consisting of three parts, bezel, ring and back that were all threaded to screw together, ensuring the case was water and dust proof. A month later he filed a patent for the screw thread and crown, which would hermetically seal the watch. (This had originally been filed by Paul Perregaux and Georges Peret (their one and only patent) in October 1925. Wilsdorf saw the great potential and bought the patent and subsequently filed for the British patent; 260.554.) Wilsdorf saw a great marketing opportunity when 26-year-old Mercedes Glietze swam the English Channel in October 1927. He presented her with an Oyster watch, which she wore on a chain around her neck. After the swim, lasting 15 hours and 15 minutes, the watch was found to be running and telling the correct time! He followed this triumph with window displays of aquariums with Oyster watches submerged inside, an idea he had registered in November 1922.


‘We must succeed in making a watchcase so tight that our movements will be permanently guaranteed against damage caused by dust, perspiration, water, heat and cold. Only then will the perfect accuracy of the Rolex watch be secured’ HW. Continuing his strive for the best, Wilsdorf patented seven more improvements in the next ten years. The Perpetual movement was patented in 1931. This was seen as the best automatic movement, an area where other companies had tried but not succeeded. Wilsdorf was a marketing genius, he raised the profile of Rolex watches with endorsements from sportsmen to explorers; Malcolm Campbell & Edmund Hillary. He presented the 100 000th Oyster watch to Winston Churchill, a gold Rolex Datejust. He also presented the 150 000th watch to Dwight Eisenhower, who later became president of The United States. The ‘Oyster’ name (derived when Wilsdorf had difficulty opening an oyster at dinner) continues to be on the majority of Rolex watches sold today. ‘We want to be the first in the field and Rolex should be seen as the one and only – the best.’ HW 1914


  • Condition: Used
  • Strap Material: Leather
  • Closure: Buckle
  • Max Wrist Size: 21.1-22 cm
  • Strap Colour: Brown
  • Dial Pattern: Engine Turned
  • Number of Jewels: 15 Jewels
  • Indices: Arabic Numerals
  • Dial Colour: Silver
  • Year Manufactured: 1928
  • Customised: No
  • Strap Width: 18 mm
  • Band/Strap: Two-Piece Strap
  • Vintage: Yes
  • Case Thickness: 8 mm
  • Department: Men
  • Case Colour: Silver
  • Caseback: Snap
  • Bezel Type: Fixed
  • Lug Width: 18 mm
  • Watch Shape: Round
  • Style: Military
  • Features: 12-Hour Dial, Acrylic Crystal, Swiss Made, Swiss Movement, Subsidiary Seconds Dial
  • Case Size: 30 mm
  • Case Material: 925 Solid Silver
  • Bezel Colour: Silver
  • Handmade: Yes
  • Movement: Mechanical (Manual)
  • Water Resistance: No Due To Age
  • With Papers: No
  • Reference Number: 62898 Y
  • With Service Records: No
  • Brand: Rolex
  • Type: Wristwatch
  • Model: Rolex
  • With Original Box/Packaging: No
  • Case Finish: Polished
  • With Manual/Booklet: No
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland
  • Display: Analogue

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