Gammeter Singapore, Rolex AD

[Old Expat Beast]

Gammeter’s became Singapore’s first Rolex AD at the end of 1936, and was the sole AD for Rolex in the city until the end of 1950.

During the company’s 14 years as a Rolex AD and Service Centre (with a Rolex-trained watchmaker on site), it also sold Rolex and Tudor watches with its own company logo on the dial. By the late 1940s it was selling its own Swiss-made brand-name watches, too, which it began advertising more heavily after it lost the Rolex contract in 1950.

I found one of these on eBay the other day and was able to get it for only $25. They were described in Gammeter adverts as Tropical Watches, i.e. suitable for the Far East climate, and this one certainly has a true tropical dial. I’ve cleaned up the crystal (it’ll need a new one) and opened the back.

The bumper movement seems to be pretty clean, hands look good, and I’m wondering if I should get the dial cleaned up a bit. Winding stem is loose but it still sets and winds. I think I know someone who can service it.

Some pics below of a Gammeter-dialled Rolex and Tudor (not mine), Gammeter watch adverts, as well as my new project watch, which I estimate to be late 1940s, early 1950s.

Thanks for looking

[MonBK]

Wow Adam, 25 bucks.

You made the purchase of your new fridge back in one day.

[Old Expat Beast]

Well, at least it's cheered me up after that episode anyway.

[crowncollection]

Great pick up Adam


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[andromeda160]

Very neat. Id probably get a light cleanin of the dial as long as whoever does it feels comfortable it wouldn't damage it further. Can't beat the price, very neat watch. Even in its day it seems like it was a fairly expensive watch

[ADINVA]

Does Gammeter exist today as an AD?

[jban5]

Adam, who do you suppose the movement was made by, Mido?

[brandrea]

Interesting post Adam. Thank you for the information

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by ADINVA

Does Gammeter exist today as an AD?

Gammeter’s Ltd seems to have gone out of business sometime in the late 1960s, Eric, but its founder, Ernst Gammeter, had previously started the Anglo Swiss Watch Co. in Calcutta in 1908, and that firm is still going. http://angloswiss.co.in/kolkata/

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by jban5

Adam, who do you suppose the movement was made by, Mido?

I’m not 100% sure, but it looks like an A. Schild 1250, as was used in Tudor’s first automatic watch, the 951, at around the same time.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Interesting post Adam. Thank you for the information

Thanks Brian. It stopped five minutes after I wound and set it yesterday, but after a shake it has kept going, and kept good time, overnight.

[jban5]

I think you are right, that's a pretty good match-up

[southtexas]

Cool find Adam. What does the phrase "tropical watches" mean?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by southtexas

Cool find Adam. What does the phrase "tropical watches" mean?

Well-sealed watches that could be used in the tropics, without being effected by heat and humidity, as far as I know. Here's another Singapore advert from 1947.

[joe100]

Sorrybassm, been out and about all day. Glad it arrived safely! Looks great!

I love how they state the Tropical is a watch of "unusual excellence". Seems they were a pretty decent price too! Not terribly high, but not something you'd buy every year

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Well-sealed watches that could be used in the tropics, without being effected by heat and humidity, as far as I know. Here's another Singapore advert from 1947.

Ah, they were very literal back when, it seems. Thanks for the info!

[ADINVA]

Adam, you are a walking wikipedia. hahaha...thanks for sharing!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by joe100

Sorrybassm, been out and about all day. Glad it arrived safely! Looks great!

I love how they state the Tropical is a watch of "unusual excellence". Seems they were a pretty decent price too! Not terribly high, but not something you'd buy every year

Thanks Joe. Yep, more than an Oris anyway

Originally Posted by southtexas

Ah, they were very literal back when, it seems. Thanks for the info!

Yeah, these days "Tropical" usually seems to just mean "mouldy", which of course this one is now, too. Maybe because the crystal is cracked. No idea where it has been all these years. Seller is in Scotland.

[hdrazor251]

Great info and what a find!! Congrats.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by ADINVA

Adam, you are a walking wikipedia. hahaha...thanks for sharing!

A couple of hours in the online Singapore Newspaper Archive can be very educational, my friend.

[Old Expat Beast]

Just to follow up here, I found that Robinson's Department Store was selling Rolex watches from the late 1920s until 1936 (when Gammeter's took over), so Robinson's was really the first authorised Rolex dealer. (The Singapore General Stores was selling them in the early 1920s, but probably not officially authorised).

[ADINVA]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Just to follow up here, I found that Robinson's Department Store was selling Rolex watches from the late 1920s until 1936 (when Gammeter's took over), so Robinson's was really the first authorised Rolex dealer. (The Singapore General Stores was selling them in the early 1920s, but probably not officially authorised).

Wow, a great walk down memory lane.

[Old Expat Beast]

Just got it back from service. New mainspring, crystal and winding crown. Kept the dial original and uncleaned for now. Seems to be running well.

[Old Expat Beast]

...and a quick wrist shot.

[joe100]

Wears nicely doesn't it?

[Old Expat Beast]

Yeah, almost weightless!

[actionkwj]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

...and a quick wrist shot.

Love those hands!


The Rolex Cowboy

[Trurolexer]

Awesome!!! Huge Congrats!!!

[bharat]

How interesting! Love the color on the dial and the typography! It just works!

[Old Expat Beast]

Thanks guys

Keeping pretty good time now.