Gold Rolex Triangular Masonic Pocket Watch Information?

[MBlalock]

Can anyone help me with any more information on this watch. I've had it a while and I'm about to get it back from an auction house. I still have no idea to the movement and the year. Any help would be appreciated, thanks all.

[rolfiz]

I don't really have any information to add, but I have seen another one, about 15 years ago... I have also seen the very same watch, minus what appears to be a sapphire at 12 o'clock that was made by Gruen.

Which would make sense as Rolex used Gruen movements around the time this watch would have been produced. (early 1930's most likely)

[Chunky]

Very interesting. I like it!

[Old Expat Beast]

Any views inside the case back?

[sleddog]

An interesting piece, unfortunately not my area that I could offer any help.

[cop414]

I've seen pics of them before and have to agree that Gruen was the maker if I remember correctly, other than that I can't help much.

[Tools]

I don't have much to say except that Gruen and Rolex shared the Aegler Movement company (which became Rolex Watch Company) in the early years - perhaps until 1928..

The old Gruen watchworks building, I believe, is still on the Rolex main grounds and used as an Admin Building.

Perhaps a letter with pictures and the movement serial to Rolex could get you some details.

[MBlalock]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Any views inside the case back?

As soon as I get it back from Sotheby's, I'll take more pictures. It is a niche item and I put it on the market at the wrong time. I do appreciate you taking your time to look at this and I will get the pictures as soon as possible.

[MBlalock]

Originally Posted by Tools

I don't have much to say except that Gruen and Rolex shared the Aegler Movement company (which became Rolex Watch Company) in the early years - perhaps until 1928..

The old Gruen watchworks building, I believe, is still on the Rolex main grounds and used as an Admin Building.

Perhaps a letter with pictures and the movement serial to Rolex could get you some details.

Thanks my friend and to all, I will contact them. I've heard of hybrid movement/case watches before and that was mentioned to me a while back. Thanks for giving me a direction. When she makes it home, I'll do a full 360 hi-res photo shoot on it and I would love to learn what you guys know or maybe help us all learn something new! Once again, thank you all for your valuable time and I hope that I may be able to assist any of you if the opportunity should arise! Happy Friday all and safe journeys and many beers to all this weekend!

[Rameez-Q]

The price you paid will probably tell you everything about it.

If it was cheap, it's probably a Rolex movement in a case decorated with masonic symbolism.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by MBlalock

As soon as I get it back from Sotheby's, I'll take more pictures. It is a niche item and I put it on the market at the wrong time. I do appreciate you taking your time to look at this and I will get the pictures as soon as possible.

Yes, even regular Rolex cushion watches from the late 20s/early 30s (what I would guess this watch to be) can go unsold for years online. Something like this, while interesting, would be tough to shift unless it was a bargain. What reserve did you have on it with Sotheby's?

[Widows Son]

Never seen this before. Not to hijack your thread but Duncan made some very collectable Masonic pocket watches in the 20's.

[MBlalock]

She's on her way back from London. The original bid start price was 3500 GBP but there was a lot of newer watches for huge money when this one went through. When I get her back, I'm gonna find a jeweler and we're going to open her up to get all the initials inside so we can track her history and I will post to everyone as soon as possible. Original purchase was from a Masons' Widow for 2k USD in an Estate auction.

Post Edited, pics removed. Please note the following Forum Rule:

4.FORUM IS NOT TO BE USED FOR :

(ii) THE OFFERING OF (OR INFERENCE TO) ANY WATCH OR ARTICLE FOR SALE IN ANY POST, SIGNATURE OR OTHERWISE OUTSIDE THE FOR SALE OR TRADE SECTION. ADMIN RESERVES THE RIGHT TO IMMEDIATELY REMOVE SUCH OFFERINGS AND WILL ISSUE A WARNING ACCOMPANIED BY INFRACTION POINTS.

You should join as a pledge member if you wish to sell watches here.

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Any views inside the case back?

Yeah exactly I have my doubts.

[MILGAUSS88]

Swiss watches were a cottage industry during this time.
Most companies purchased their cases from a case company.
I have seen This case with numerous makers, it is not exclusive to Rolex and/or Gruen.
My experience has been that Rolex pocket watches have never sold well in comparison to the wrist watches.
The most likely buyer for this watch would probably be a Masonic collector. Not, a watch buyer.

[Kingface66]

As did Waltham, who made pocket watches for years
http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masoni...rist_watch.htm