Hans Wilsdorf Oyster Wristwatch

[Thevenin]

A Hans Wilsdorf brand Oyster Wristwatch circa 1920s, truly a GrandOyster

http://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/watch...ch/id-j_93772/



Images courtesy of 1stdibs & Hodinkee

[GradyPhilpott]

Now, that to me is the ultimate vintage piece.

[bobswatches]

wow....what a cool watch!

[mjclark32]

Very cool

[T-Rip]

Nice

[Rolexwatch]

Great pics, interesting watch.

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Nice!

[Alcan]

I'm very sceptical about this watch. If we look at the timelines, the Rolex Watch Company came into being in 1915, after which Wilsdorf was trying his best to have jewellers accept his watches with the Rolex name on the dial. As we all know, he previously assembled watches with blank dials so the final seller jewellers could apply their names to them.

Given that this watch is claimed to be a 1920's Wilsdorf, and Wilsdorf did not acquire the Oyster patent until 1926 in Switzerland and 1927 in England by which time he was in high gear pushing the Rolex brand, I find it highly doubtful that by then he would have branded the dial as "Hans Wilsdorf Geneva". It isn't consistent with an assembler trying to establish a market for a new brand.

An additional observation, that dial looks very pristine.

[MY-WATCH]

Cool

[JPersat]

I wonder what kind of price tag goes with that beauty...

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Alcan

I'm very sceptical about this watch. If we look at the timelines, the Rolex Watch Company came into being in 1915, after which Wilsdorf was trying his best to have jewellers accept his watches with the Rolex name on the dial. As we all know, he previously assembled watches with blank dials so the final seller jewellers could apply their names to them.

Given that this watch is claimed to be a 1920's Wilsdorf, and Wilsdorf did not acquire the Oyster patent until 1926 in Switzerland and 1927 in England by which time he was in high gear pushing the Rolex brand, I find it highly doubtful that by then he would have branded the dial as "Hans Wilsdorf Geneva". It isn't consistent with an assembler trying to establish a market for a new brand.

An additional observation, that dial looks very pristine.

All those things went through my mind, too, but just because these facts about Rolex are known, doesn't mean that they represent all the facts about Wilsdorf and his early business practices.

It can be seen from what we know, and from what information is available online, that Wilsdorf had to be highly creative, a supreme negotiator, and risk taker of sorts.

There is no reason that this could not have been a prototype, and since the watches he dealt with were often printed with various names on the dials, that Wilsdorf may have indeed decided to put his own name on the dial.

I don't know that that would be the case with this watch, but it is possible and I would also presume that the watch has been proper vetted by the auction house.

[Tools]

I would be very surprised if this watch could be authenticated..

I'm with Al ..

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Tools

I would be very surprised if this watch could be authenticated..

I'm with Al ..

Me too, I don't believe it for a second.

[jerseyden]

If genuine, I would have thought the vendor would be asking far more than $5000.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Me too, I don't believe it for a second.

x 2 . . .

HAGOne

[gnuyork]

Very nice. I agree with someone above^. That might be the ultimate vintage piece.

Edit: If it's the real deal.

[andromeda160]

Theres no denying the fact that the movements original, inside the caseback would be a nice photo.
sweet watch if it's all original.

[77T]

If all original, it is astoundingly good deal...too good as many have said. The seller doesn't post the movement pic - it is from a different source so there's that issue to nail down.

But all said and done, I wonder how a 80 year old case is so corrosion-free on the inner case edges, why the dial is so evenly distressed only around the edges, how blued steel hands are corrosion-free, etc...

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by 77T

If all original, it is astoundingly good deal...too good as many have said. The seller doesn't post the movement pic - it is from a different source so there's that issue to nail down.

But all said and done, I wonder how a 80 year old case is so corrosion-free on the inner case edges, why the dial is so evenly distressed only around the edges, how blued steel hands are corrosion-free, etc...

now that I look back at the pics aren't the movement mounting screws not in there?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Alcan

I'm very sceptical about this watch. If we look at the timelines, the Rolex Watch Company came into being in 1915, after which Wilsdorf was trying his best to have jewellers accept his watches with the Rolex name on the dial. As we all know, he previously assembled watches with blank dials so the final seller jewellers could apply their names to them.

Given that this watch is claimed to be a 1920's Wilsdorf, and Wilsdorf did not acquire the Oyster patent until 1926 in Switzerland and 1927 in England by which time he was in high gear pushing the Rolex brand, I find it highly doubtful that by then he would have branded the dial as "Hans Wilsdorf Geneva". It isn't consistent with an assembler trying to establish a market for a new brand.

An additional observation, that dial looks very pristine.

Have agree and Al .

[vintagewaferthin]

Im certiantly sceptical. If it is indeed authentic that would be very cool.