Rolex

[mamamomo]

Hello,
I was wondering if someone has any knowledge about this watch. It is made of steel, has 47mm diameter, manual movement.
I am enclosing some pictures.
Thank you.

[Tools]

It is a pocket watch conversion.

They would weld on some strap lugs, then rotate the dial 90 degrees and repaint it so it could be seen properly while on the wrist.

Pocket watches had the seconds at the bottom, so this conversion rotated the seconds to the 9 o'clock position.

[mamamomo]

Hi Larry,
Thanks for your analysis. Can you tell me, was this a common practice back then in early 1900’s?
Best

[jatco]

Originally Posted by Tools

It is a pocket watch conversion.

They would weld on some strap lugs, then rotate the dial 90 degrees and repaint it so it could be seen properly while on the wrist.

Pocket watches had the seconds at the bottom, so this conversion rotated the seconds to the 9 o'clock position.

Exactly.
It's a great piece just the same.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by mamamomo

Hi Larry,
Thanks for your analysis. Can you tell me, was this a common practice back then in early 1900’s?
Best

I would say that it was not uncommon.

Wristwatches were coming into their own, and watch chains and pocket watches were falling out of fashion.

In those days we did not have the "throw away culture" that we see today, and a perfectly good pocket watch conversion was a very sensible option.

[mamamomo]

Hello Larry,
Do you think that when the watch was converted from pocket to wrist watch it was made by Rolex itself or by some relogier?
It looks to me that the dial was remade in a military style. It has luminous numerals and Cathedral hands together with 24hour military time numerals. Which is highly legible and has a functional design. And has Rolex on it.
In those times (WW1) I guess the purpose would be to have a ‘tool watch’, at least a watch on the wrist, not style.
Your thoughts?
Best regards

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by mamamomo

Hello Larry,
Do you think that when the watch was converted from pocket to wrist watch it was made by Rolex itself or by some relogier?
It looks to me that the dial was remade in a military style. It has luminous numerals and Cathedral hands together with 24hour military time numerals. Which is highly legible and has a functional design. And has Rolex on it.
In those times (WW1) I guess the purpose would be to have a ‘tool watch’, at least a watch on the wrist, not style.
Your thoughts?
Best regards

It wouldnt have been done by Rolex, it would have been an independent watch maker for their client.