Item: Mens Collectable 1940’s Rolex Military Style Watch Cal.526
Sold For: $1,880.00
Bids: 35
Date: Apr 02, 2012
Auction: Ebay
Seller: wandolec
Description and Image By: wandolec
Unique and rare example of timepiece very beautiful vintage watch ca 1940’s very beautiful mechanical work
If you have been collecting watches for a while i think you’re going to appreciate the following timepiece. I am pleased to offer for sale this ca 1940’s gent’s military style timepiece features black steel dial, chromed steel case and high grade cal.526 mechanism with gold balance wheel, bi-metallic micrometer regulator & blue breguet balance spring that was made by the venerable rolex watch company.
Sadly orphaned by the age of 12, he continued on with a full education at a leading boarding school in switzerland and after leaving secured his first job as an apprentice in a large firm of pearl importers. However, it was due to friendship, struck while at school, that would see mr wilsdorf enter the world of watches. His friend turned to him one day and said,
‘when we’re finished with all this school business, you’d better come and join us. We export watches all over the world’
So it was that hans wilsdorf, at an age of 19, started work as an english correspondent and clerk with the firm of messrs. Cuno korten in la chaux-de-fonds, switzerland. His friend earlier comment had been no idle boast, as this firm was a very large exporter of watches with a turnover of nearly frs1m a year. It was in this position that mr wilsdorf interest in watches was undoubtedly sparked. As he commented, ‘it provided an excellent opportunity to study the watch making industry closely and examine every type of watch produced both in switzerland and abroad’
By 1903 mr wilsdorf had settled in london working for another watch making firm. After gaining experience from this and his previous employment and growing in self confidence he set about to established his own firm. With financial help from his brother-in-law, alfred davis, the company known as ‘wilsdorf and davis’ was foundered.
The firm did not initially produce wristwatches because wristwatches were not thought masculine by the public and also the technical difficulties that many watch makers believed existed in trying to make this type of timepiece. Such problems as the difficulty of producing a movement small enough to be housed in a case to be worn on the wrist and the likely hood of moisture and dust entering this case and thereby ruining movement were cited. However, unlike other producers of wristwatches, this was not to deter mr wilsdorf.
The first stumbling block was surmounted with the acquaintance of hermann aegler. While working in la chaux-de-fonds mr wilsdorf had come to hear of this gentlemen and his ability to produce rough movements that would be small and cheap enough to be used in the production of wristwatches. In 1905, mr wilsdorf, full of conviction of the possibilities of the wrist watch, placed an order worth several hundred thousand french francs for these movements, an order which at this time was the largest ever booked.
The second difficulty in producing this type of watch, a case impenetrable to moisture and dust, was not to be achieved for another twenty years. But, in the meantime, one of the major events in rolex history occurred.
Although the firm was very successful being known as wilsdorf and davis, mr wilsdorf sort to establish a trade name that would identify the company and the products that it made.
Therefore, on 2nd july 1908 the now famous name of ‘rolex’ was coined. There are many speculations as to the precise meaning of this name, to which i will not add, but what is known is that this name was chosen for very sound reasons. Mr wilsdorf wanted a name that was, ‘short, yet significant, not cumbersome on the dial (thus leaving room enough for the inscription of the english traders name) and above all a word easy enough to memorise, with a pleasant sound and have its pronunciation unchanged whatever european language it is spoken’.
The gorgeous, black enameled metal military style dial is in excellent condition.
It features a crisp 60 minute outer track border, steel skeleton hands, steel roman numerals and a recessed sub-seconds dial with 60 second outer chapter and “sweep” steel seconds hand. The new dial has been professionally updated, and now is in excellent condition. Signed rolex in silver enamel lettering below the hour marker xii.
The luxury case matches very well with this elegant black military style dial.
It is a registered design model that features a three piece chromed steel case that provides with glass cover of back lid. This watch was converted from pocket watch. Chromed steel case, new custom made, fantastic, build specially for this excellent rolex movement. The lugs are in great condition while the pumpkin-style winding crown is in very good shape and operates properly.
Peeking inside via the glass lid i find a spotless and high quality, nickel-finished movement with gold balance wheel, bi-metallic micrometer regulator & blue breguet balance spring.
The movement is signed rolex – cal.526 – swiss made – 15 rubies.
This beautiful wristwatch has the original rolex movement in an excellent status which was very well saved, considering age of this watch. Mechanism has been recently serviced to ensure it winds and sets smoothly while keeping great, accurate time.
It is fitted on a new 20mm black alligator calf genuine leather strap with chromed steel buckle that is vintage style and goes great with this wonderful watch.
Diameter (with crown): 54.00 mm diameter (without crown): 47.00 mm watch crystal diameter: 43.00 mm thickness: 13.00 mm
This beautiful and fully restored men’s watch winds and sets smoothly while keeping accurate time. Because of the vintage nature of the watch i cannot guarantee its absolute time keeping accuracy even if they are in good running condition and in some rare occasions may require additional adjustment.
Always an extra fine watches at a no reserve price!!! If you like rare, antique, unique and collectible vintage wristwatches or pocket watches (or just enjoy learning about all the different watch makers and models) i suggest you bookmark this page or add me to your “favorite sellers” list. I always have beautiful pristine timepieces for sale ending monday. Now on ebay for 5 years!
Recommendations for the owner of vintage watches:
– all antique watches are mechanical. Many repairs will not be cheap, as most likely they will require replacement of non-standard parts (unlike most late model watches).
– antique watches should not be beaten or dropped – because repairs may be expensive.
– antique watches are generally not waterproof. This is because waterproofing was not in general production until the middle of the 20th century for most watches. Therefore you should protect your antique watch from exposure to moisture.
– if your watch becomes wet it should be dried off quickly. Carefully open all covers and use a hair drier to blow dry the movement, dial, covers, crown. This will reduce the amount of rust.
– if your watch becomes wet with any kind of salt water you should immediately immerse or spray your watch with fresh (no-salt) water to remove all the salt from the works before drying the watch completely. Any salt left in the watch will combine with moisture in the air to rust metal components of the movement, case etc.
– winding any mechanical watch tight may break the mainspring. If you can avoid it do not wind the watch hard.
– when adjusting the hands of your watch, move them in a clockwise direction only. Counter-clockwise adjustments may damage the movement.
– if you must adjust counter-clockwise make it for small adjustments only (i.e. For minutes, not hours).
– be careful and gentle when adjusting the movement speed (faster or slower). Don’t make sharp movements, and don’t touch other components in the movement especially the pendulum mechanism.
– every 2-3 years it is necessary to service and oil vintage watches.
– if the watch is dirty – allow the watch to run down, don’t wind it again until you have it serviced by a qualified watch repair expert. Dust will absorb and remove important lubricants and cause the movement pieces to wear down.
– to clean the case, dial and crystal you should use a cloth that does not leave fibers as these may get caught up in the movement. Check with your watch repair expert to get an appropriate cloth.
– keep your antiques watch away from magnets. Strong magnetic fields may affect the accuracy of your watch since some vintage watches were made with iron based components in the movement.
– most cases and covers are fine components and will not handle abuse well. The watch should not be shaken, beaten, or stressed.
– antique watches generally experience an error of up to 5-7 minutes a day. Any accuracy of +- 5 minutes is very good.