Officers Trench Watch 9ct Gold Case 1924 Enamel Porcelain Dial
Item History & Price
Exceptional and very rare, 9ct gold, Rolexofficers Trench Watch in original condition circa 1924.
This belonged to my late Father (a doctor) who was an avid collector of high class watches. He usually only bought those that fitted his criteria of being in specimen condition. He collected so many during his lifetime that it's going to take me ages to list them all as I have to go to the bank and take them out in small numbers. However, I'm gradually getting round... to selling off his collection to pay death duties etc.
This superb timepiece has a lovely whiteenamel (porcelain) dial which has a couple of inevitable hair lines, as can be seen, butat least this indicates that it’s the original dial and considering it's almost 100 years old, it’samazing it has so few. The case is adecent size - 31mm without the crown.The radium paint onthe two hands have mellowed well and are almost completely intact. The minutehand shows a tiny loss of paint, whereas the hour hand is completelyintact. All in all, this watch has a lovely patina and huge amount of character. The movement is very clean and has notbeen tampered with. It is stamped 'R.W.C' (Rolex Watch Company). According to myFather’s notes, prior to purchasing it in the Sixties, he stated that it had apparentlylain in a drawer for many, many years. MyFather then had it serviced and again about 20 years ago. It was thendry-stored until recently. By the time this listing ends, I will have had it serviced again (at a cost of around £100) so the new owner can rest easy that all is correct! Upon winding it for the first time afew weeks ago, I can honestly say that it started ticking immediately and hasbeen keeping excellent time over a 48 hour period. Also on winding, the crown feels reassuringly‘tight’, so I really do not think this watch has ever had a lot of use. In fact, it would be fair to say that it’s nottoo far off the condition from when it was sold new. The case has a British hallmark (London 1924) andis in remarkable condition. No damage whatsoever and no dents or deep scratches. I have never seen a watch of this age in suchremarkably good condition and it has not been machine polished at all.The glass face is very slightlyscratched and I would hazard a guess that it could well be the originalglass. If so, it really would be synonymouswith the fact that this watch is in an all original condition. I must also say that this is purelyspeculation and I cannot verify that this is actually the case.However, what I can say is that Ihonestly don’t think you will find another one like this again, especially notin this condition.There is no damage at all to the back hinge and even thatfeels slightly tight which again indicates very little use. The leather strap is in good conditionalthough the size is a little narrow. I have no idea as to the value, other than to point out that similar watches on eBay - in silver, not gold, seem to sell for amounts from £500 up to £3 or £4 thousand … so I will let eBay decide the value because there isno reserve and a low start. Highest bidder WILL get this, so don't lose it, you might kick yourself for ages if you do!
Please only bid if you are a genuine buyer and have the cash to pay for this. No dreamers please.
Please note: Winning bidder will receive the watch and leather strap as pictured, nothing else.
A brief history of this style of watch.Between the time of the pocket watch and the general use of what we have now come to know as the modern wristwatch, a style of watches were known as "transitional" watches and were often commonly referred to as "Trench Watches". During World War I, numerous watch companies, including Rolex, Omega, Longines and others, produced wrist watches for the military. These watches were of virtually identical style with an enamel dial, wide easy-to-read numerals and luminescent, radium hands. From the original pocket watches, these trench watches inherited hinged rear and also front covers. The lugs for a strap looked like a thick wire attachment, rather than an integrated part of the body of the later and modern wristwatches. Thus, watches of this era were also commonly known as "wire lug watches".The name "wristlet" was used until the early 1930s and was eventually replaced by the modern name "wristwatch".
