DESCRIPTION:
WW - Rolex Reverse Calendar trench watch, circa 1915, manual wind, 34mm x 39mm to lug tips, 12mm wire lug width, original .935 sterling silver hinged front and back case, brown leather strap, original white enamel dial with luminous painted Arabic numerals and a date scale running counterclockwise at perimeter, 15J, case s#758966. Truly one of the rarest early Rolex watches that money can buy, this particular watch is one of only three known reverse calendar Rolex using sweep-second Rebberg movements. One other example is on the cover and listed on page 339 of James Dowling and Jeffrey Hess' fabulous book "The Best Of Time Rolex Wristwatches, An Unauthorized History." Of the three known, this is the only model signed Rolex on the enamel dial. If you are a die-hard Rolex collector looking to build out your collection one couldn't be more lucky to have this piece safely tucked away, as Milsubs may be rare but they don't hold a candle to the rarity of this piece.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, calendar advances and functions properly, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, very light oxide to steelwork, light tarnish and fine scratches to plates; excellent-plus dial with edge chip at 8 and hairline at 5, the dial has been relumed at some point in its life; excellent-plus relumed skeleton hands; polished case shows light wear, small solder repair to wire lugs as is common of silver trench watches of this era, several small dings on case back and sides; crown shows light wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$5000
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$9000
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