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Old 22 November 2016, 01:49 PM   #1
Alcan
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In The Beginning...

...there was a man with a vision. Hans Wilsdorf in London with his brother-in-law Alfred Davis founded Wilsdorf & Davis, assemblers and sellers of quality timepieces. Movements imported from Hermann Aegler, cases mostly from Dennison, dials and hands from various suppliers. Stick 'em all together and they had W&D watches, sold to the jewellery trade with no name on the dial so the jewellers could put their own names on them.

The company history is well documented:

1905, Wilsdorf & Davis is established in London
1908, Hans Wilsdorf registers the Tradename Rolex
1915, the Rolex Watch Company Ltd. is established
1920, the company is renamed Montres Rolex S.A

and the rest, as they say, is history.

Several years ago I stumbled across this exceedingly ugly duckling. It was so dirty and worn it was difficult to tell what metal the case was made from:






but one of the caseback stamps caught my attention:



W&D. Holy Moley! When I checked out the hallmark stamps, everything fell into place:

It turned out that it is indeed from 1908, the same year that Wilsdorf trademarked the Rolex name. Had it been from 1907 or 1909 I probably wouldn't have gone ahead with this project.

I sent the watch to Bob Ridley for his opinion on the feasibility of restoring it, given what we had to work with.

The movement didn't run, the hands and bow were missing, the crown was badly worn down, the caseback was sprung and wouldn't stay closed, and there were deep tool marks on the inner dust cover.








Bob and I spent some time discussing the restoration. The case work was substantial but do-able. Here are the results with the case and inner dust cover repaired, hinge repaired, new "onion" crown, and new bow installed.
















On to the movement. It was in rough condition, and at one point we discussed locating a similar movement in better shape to work with, but Bob eventually discarded that idea in favour of redoing the original movement to retain the authenticity of the watch.











He suggested the idea of drilling out a worn bushing and replacing it with a jewel to improve the reliability and timekeeping, and that's what we finally settled on.






Next, a correct replacement crystal was fitted.




Finally, a set of period correct hands. I gave him free rein on this and I think he did a wonderful job choosing the blued steel hands.




I'm very pleased with the results of this project, a 1908 Wilsdorf & Davis ladies pendant watch.

So, the next time someone asks you who owns the oldest Rolex watch around...........
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Old 22 November 2016, 01:55 PM   #2
swils8610
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That is very cool. I love old pocket watches and have a couple. To bad they really aren't purposeful today.


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Old 22 November 2016, 02:02 PM   #3
themast
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Very interesting and well presented restoration project. Thank you for sharing!
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Old 22 November 2016, 02:33 PM   #4
Hairdude1
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So cool
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Old 22 November 2016, 02:37 PM   #5
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Hats off to you, sir, for spending the money and effort to bring that lovely old piece back to life.
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Old 22 November 2016, 02:55 PM   #6
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Very cool!!!
Thanks for sharing.
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Old 22 November 2016, 03:10 PM   #7
arinsd
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Amazing. Any idea on the value of the value of the watch?

To me it's priceless given the time and attention you gave to restore it. Well done.
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Old 22 November 2016, 03:12 PM   #8
Txkill
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very cool
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Old 22 November 2016, 03:33 PM   #9
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I would also like to know what an informed estimate of value is for this survivor. What a find.
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Old 22 November 2016, 04:08 PM   #10
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Awesome. Thank you for sharing such wonderful story.
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Old 22 November 2016, 04:08 PM   #11
scombs263
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Love it......
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Old 22 November 2016, 08:38 PM   #12
emersm
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I love these types of restoration projects. Congratulations on a job well done!
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Old 22 November 2016, 08:42 PM   #13
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Thanks for posting, great info and pics!
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Old 22 November 2016, 08:44 PM   #14
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Very cool. Well done.
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Old 22 November 2016, 08:49 PM   #15
MonBK
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Al my man, only you would finish a project like that.

Here's the big question though?

Do you have the correct size box, paperwork, bezel protector and all the plastic stickers with it?
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Old 22 November 2016, 09:00 PM   #16
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Woooooow!!
I'm crying!! Thanks to restore that beautiful piece!!!
I love that work!! You have all my respect.

"Either this man is dead or my watch has stopped". Groucho Marx.
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Old 22 November 2016, 09:47 PM   #17
dberman3
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Wow! Very cool.


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Old 22 November 2016, 10:57 PM   #18
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Wow!! Outstanding restoration!! Looks lovely!!
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Old 23 November 2016, 12:13 AM   #19
cpefy3
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That is truly amazing the level of commitment to restore and keep as original as possible. Thanks for sharing!!
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Old 23 November 2016, 12:15 AM   #20
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PW restoration at this level is not for the faint of heart. Bravo sir
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Old 23 November 2016, 12:16 AM   #21
cop414
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Simply amazing Al. I'm curious as to how you initially acquired the watch.
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Old 23 November 2016, 03:32 AM   #22
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Just Awesome!!!
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Old 23 November 2016, 10:31 AM   #23
cornerstore
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Nicely done. A working piece of History you can cherish and hold in your hands.
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