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Alcan · 11 February 2018, 06:32 AM

I originally posted this in 2009 but Photobucket has since blocked all my images, so here's a re-post with the images

Several years ago I acquired an old Wilsdorf & Davis pendant watch in sad shape. But, I had a feeling about it and about the history of Rolex S.A.:

1905, Wilsdorf & Davis is established in London
1908, Hans Wilsdorf registers the Tradename Rolex
1915, the Rolex Watch Company Ltd. is established
1920, the company is renamed Montres Rolex S.A
and the rest, as they say, is history.

I had the case hallmarks checked out, and it turned out that it is indeed from 1908, the same year that Wilsdorf trademarked Rolex. Had it been from 1907 or 1909 I probably wouldn't have gone ahead with this project.

I sent the watch to Bob Ridley for his opinion on the feasibility of restoring it. Here's what he had to work with.

The movement didn't run, the hands and bow were missing, the crown was badly worn down, the caseback was sprung and wouldn't stay closed, and there were deep tool marks on the inner dust cover. All in all a bit of an ugly duckling:

Bob and I spent some time discussing the restoration. The case work was substantial but do-able. Here are the results with the case and inner dust cover repaired, hinge repaired, new "onion" crown, and new bow installed.

On to the movement. It was in rough condition, and at one point we discussed locating a similar movement in better shape to work with, but Bob eventually discarded that idea in favour of redoing the original movement and retaining the authenticity of the watch.

He suggested the idea of drilling out a worn bushing and replacing it with a jewel to improve the reliability and timekeeping, and that's what we finally settled on.

Next, a correct replacement crystal was fitted.

Finally, a set of period correct hands. I gave him free rein on this and I think he did a wonderful job choosing the blued steel hands.

This was an interesting project, first researching the watch to verify its authenticity, trying to determine the scope of the restoration, locating someone to take the project on after a couple of false starts, discussing options regarding every facet of the restoration.

I'm very pleased with the results of this job. Untold hours of international phone calls and countless e-mail messages and pix culminated in what should probably be called the W&D Phoenix. This watch almost literally rose from the ashes of what it formerly was.

GradyPhilpott · 11 February 2018, 06:47 AM

Justinmg · 11 February 2018, 06:51 AM

WOW amazing piece to own and what a story, thanks for sharing!

newbee1 · 11 February 2018, 06:51 AM

Very nice and its a beautiful watch. I've also sent my DD to Philip Ridley and glad to know they're experts in their field. If you don't mind, how much did the whole project cost you?

tomchicago · 11 February 2018, 06:52 AM

Ridley !

MonBK · 11 February 2018, 06:52 AM

I remember that restoration and the pics AL.

Ripcode · 11 February 2018, 06:55 AM

Very cool!

Fabrice M · 11 February 2018, 06:56 AM

Amazing, thanks for sharing.

THC · 11 February 2018, 06:57 AM

Stunning.. what a restoration...

kilyung · 11 February 2018, 06:59 AM

Exceptional job. I think I’ll buy a pocket watch for a restoration project now that I can work on them myself.

DoctorA · 11 February 2018, 07:08 AM

Stunning piece of art!!

Alcan · 11 February 2018, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbee1

Very nice and its a beautiful watch. I've also sent my DD to Philip Ridley and glad to know they're experts in their field. If you don't mind, how much did the whole project cost you?

PM sent.

teqp · 11 February 2018, 07:54 AM

Nice find and beautiful restoration. Enjoy it!

Rocketman39 · 11 February 2018, 08:09 AM

Beautiful Time Piece ! They did a beautiful Job on my 5513 Sub as well. Many Thanks to
Bob, Phillip and Jana too !

Ballaratboy · 11 February 2018, 08:25 AM

Thanks for sharing this. Amazing story and watch.

newbee1 · 11 February 2018, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcan

PM sent.

Thanks.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

yannis · 11 February 2018, 02:56 PM

Such a beautiful piece!

Limestonedan · 12 February 2018, 02:20 AM

Nice work. Congratulations.

CPRWATCH · 12 February 2018, 03:14 AM

Amazing job of bringing a beautiful example back to its best , congratulations & thanks for reposting with pictures.

jatco · 12 February 2018, 06:48 AM

Excellent ..
Great to see something like this restored to all its glory ..
Awesome work by Bob and crew...!
Congrats on a 'new' watch.....!

fmc000 · 12 February 2018, 10:52 PM

Great post!

farscott · 13 February 2018, 01:11 AM

That is truly an awesome restoration and worthy of the Phoenix name. I have often considered a Rolex pocket watch, but I have never considered such an extensive restoration. Great idea and execution in reviving a piece of history.

11 February 2018, 06:32 AM	#1
Alcan 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Al Location: Way Up North Watch: your P's & Q's Posts: 10,473	A Bob Ridley restoration of a 1908 Wilsdorf & Davis I originally posted this in 2009 but Photobucket has since blocked all my images, so here's a re-post with the images Several years ago I acquired an old Wilsdorf & Davis pendant watch in sad shape. But, I had a feeling about it and about the history of Rolex S.A.: 1905, Wilsdorf & Davis is established in London 1908, Hans Wilsdorf registers the Tradename Rolex 1915, the Rolex Watch Company Ltd. is established 1920, the company is renamed Montres Rolex S.A and the rest, as they say, is history. I had the case hallmarks checked out, and it turned out that it is indeed from 1908, the same year that Wilsdorf trademarked Rolex. Had it been from 1907 or 1909 I probably wouldn't have gone ahead with this project. I sent the watch to Bob Ridley for his opinion on the feasibility of restoring it. Here's what he had to work with. The movement didn't run, the hands and bow were missing, the crown was badly worn down, the caseback was sprung and wouldn't stay closed, and there were deep tool marks on the inner dust cover. All in all a bit of an ugly duckling: Bob and I spent some time discussing the restoration. The case work was substantial but do-able. Here are the results with the case and inner dust cover repaired, hinge repaired, new "onion" crown, and new bow installed. On to the movement. It was in rough condition, and at one point we discussed locating a similar movement in better shape to work with, but Bob eventually discarded that idea in favour of redoing the original movement and retaining the authenticity of the watch. He suggested the idea of drilling out a worn bushing and replacing it with a jewel to improve the reliability and timekeeping, and that's what we finally settled on. Next, a correct replacement crystal was fitted. Finally, a set of period correct hands. I gave him free rein on this and I think he did a wonderful job choosing the blued steel hands. This was an interesting project, first researching the watch to verify its authenticity, trying to determine the scope of the restoration, locating someone to take the project on after a couple of false starts, discussing options regarding every facet of the restoration. I'm very pleased with the results of this job. Untold hours of international phone calls and countless e-mail messages and pix culminated in what should probably be called the W&D Phoenix. This watch almost literally rose from the ashes of what it formerly was. __________________ Member #1,315 I don't want to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol IS a solution!

11 February 2018, 06:47 AM	#2
GradyPhilpott 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Mexico Watch: 116710 BLNR Posts: 34,347	__________________ JJ Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner

11 February 2018, 06:51 AM	#3
Justinmg "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Real Name: Justin Location: FL Watch: PO Posts: 3,353	WOW amazing piece to own and what a story, thanks for sharing! __________________ //////////////////////////////// Member of The Nylon Nation Does it do anything? It tells the time.

11 February 2018, 07:08 AM	#11
DoctorA "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: USA Posts: 6,523	Stunning piece of art!! __________________ Wear the watch you like, not the one they tell you to wear!

11 February 2018, 02:56 PM	#17
yannis "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Real Name: Yannis Location: Europe Watch: maniac Posts: 9,070	Such a beautiful piece! __________________ Rolex Submariner 116610LV \| Tudor 79220N DSSD MEMBERS - OWNERS CLUB

11 February 2018, 06:51 AM	#4
newbee1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Real Name: Ash Location: Far and away Watch: Rolex day date Posts: 251	Very nice and its a beautiful watch. I've also sent my DD to Philip Ridley and glad to know they're experts in their field. If you don't mind, how much did the whole project cost you?

11 February 2018, 06:52 AM	#5
tomchicago Banned Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Watch: 16710BLRO, 214270. Posts: 2,717	Ridley !

11 February 2018, 06:52 AM	#6
MonBK Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kingstown Posts: 58,281	I remember that restoration and the pics AL.

11 February 2018, 06:55 AM	#7
Ripcode "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Real Name: Michael Location: Michigan Watch: 16610 Posts: 319	Very cool!

11 February 2018, 06:56 AM	#8
Fabrice M 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Denver Watch: This and that... Posts: 1,640	Amazing, thanks for sharing.

11 February 2018, 06:57 AM	#9
THC 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Real Name: Tom Location: Mandeville La Watch: 16610M Posts: 10,484	Stunning.. what a restoration...

11 February 2018, 06:59 AM	#10
kilyung 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cave Watch: Sundial Posts: 33,870	Exceptional job. I think I’ll buy a pocket watch for a restoration project now that I can work on them myself.

11 February 2018, 07:54 AM	#13
teqp "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Phil Location: SoCal Watch: 116613LN Posts: 3,052	Nice find and beautiful restoration. Enjoy it!

11 February 2018, 08:09 AM	#14
Rocketman39 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Florida Watch: 5513,Hulk,GMTII Posts: 364	Beautiful Time Piece ! They did a beautiful Job on my 5513 Sub as well. Many Thanks to Bob, Phillip and Jana too !

11 February 2018, 08:25 AM	#15
Ballaratboy "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Real Name: Steve Location: Australia Watch: Rolex & Tudor Posts: 179	Thanks for sharing this. Amazing story and watch.

12 February 2018, 02:20 AM	#18
Limestonedan "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Real Name: Dan Location: USA Posts: 983	Nice work. Congratulations.

12 February 2018, 03:14 AM	#19
CPRWATCH "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2016 Real Name: Paul Location: Chester UK Watch: Rolex GMT Master Posts: 4,592	Amazing job of bringing a beautiful example back to its best , congratulations & thanks for reposting with pictures.

12 February 2018, 06:48 AM	#20
jatco 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Thomas Location: YVR Watch: 116233/79190 Posts: 47,879	Excellent .. Great to see something like this restored to all its glory .. Awesome work by Bob and crew...! Congrats on a 'new' watch.....! __________________ . . ' A Crown for every achievement '

12 February 2018, 10:52 PM	#21
fmc000 Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: Fabio Location: Como - Italy Posts: 4,811	Great post!

13 February 2018, 01:11 AM	#22
farscott "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2012 Real Name: Scott Location: Dunedin, FL, USA Posts: 134	That is truly an awesome restoration and worthy of the Phoenix name. I have often considered a Rolex pocket watch, but I have never considered such an extensive restoration. Great idea and execution in reviving a piece of history.

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