1944 Rolex Oyster Army

[Ronpop]

In 1945 my father was the Safety Officer at the PBY plant in New Orleans, La. He became friends with with a U S Navy pilot whcih tested and acepted the a/c. My Dad flew with him several times.
This pilot gave my father a this watch.
The inside moverment has # 3139. The jeweler verified it is a Rolex movement. On the face is "Rolex Oyester Army". Number on back 212394. No sweep second had, small second dial at bottom. Face numbers or a "radial" not vertical.
See Pictures!
(did the att come through)?

[GMBorkovic]

no pics! re-try. Have one, would like to compare. Mike

[Kingsking]

I follow a guy in IG with a beautiful army that has a salmon dial , love that watch

[Ronpop]

1944-45
Movement # 3139

[GMBorkovic]

Ron, thanks. different than the one dad bought at the Tokyo PX in 1946. Neat watch.

[Ronpop]

how about a pic of yours?

[MILGAUSS88]

The reference number is 3139. Which mostly refers to the case design.
Use this number to look up similar examples on google.

212394 is the serial number which indicates a 1942-43 production year

[MILGAUSS88]

The "Army" is a manual wind watch.

There is a much scarcer version, ref 4961, that has an automatic movement.
A bubbleback in an "Army" case. Dial is not signed Army however.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by Ronpop

Anyone else have any idea of value?

We dont evaluate for value here. You can get an idea by going to eBay and searching the sold listings to see what other examples have fetched. You can also search auction records to get an idea.
These watches were very popular in the 80s and brought a premium, but due to their very small size; they arent as popular today with wearers and so their prices have dropped considerably.
There are collectors out there who will still pay a bit more for very nice original examples though if it fills a gap in their collection. We would need to see much clearer and much larger pics of yours to see if it has been tampered with or if its all original.

[Ronpop]

The watch is original, had the movement verified. This is a good photo of the watch.

[Ronpop]

how
many of these were made??

[Ronpop]

Anyone have info on this watch?

[Dan S]

Interesting story and a great heirloom. Thanks for posting.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by Ronpop

Anyone have info on this watch?

If you want an idea of value, or other information. Just google "Rolex 3139".
You should be able to find out more info that way.

[Ronpop]

There are a great number of watches with the "3139" movement, not only see one with face/second hand like this!

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Ronpop

There are a great number of watches with the "3139" movement, not only see one with face/second hand like this!

I wouldn't get too hung up on the details. There are many variations, and obviously most of the dials will have been repainted. Look for watches with a similar case, and they will serve as good comps.

[joli160]

Really nice watch, never seen that before

[Ronpop]

Dan S. This watch has been in our family since it was "new" in 1943-44!

[Dr.Smellody]

Here is my 3139

[Ronpop]

As you can see from the pic of your 3139 it has a sweep second hand, where mine has a small seconds dial????

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Ronpop

Dan S. This watch has been in our family since it was "new" in 1943-44!

Congrats, as I said earlier it's a great heirloom.

Originally Posted by Ronpop

As you can see from the pic of your 3139 it has a sweep second hand, where mine has a small seconds dial????

Yes, there were apparently two variations. Using google images I can see examples of both. Yours seems totally legit, and if you're still looking for a value, I don't think the sweep vs. sub-dial seconds will have much impact. So collect some comps of the general reference from auction sales and adjust for condition; that type of research is how we all get valuations for our watches. It takes some effort. If there is something else that you specifically want to know, go ahead and ask, but I suspect there's not a ton of information about these pieces.

[Ronpop]

Thanks!

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by Ronpop

The watch is original, had the movement verified. This is a good photo of the watch.

Very cool!

[INC]

Originally Posted by Ronpop

As you can see from the pic of your 3139 it has a sweep second hand, where mine has a small seconds dial????

For reference, here is a quite similar version to yours with an almost up to date selling price:

https://www.dawsonsauctions.co.uk/au...92&au=129&sd=1