SUMMARY:

A stunning condition and very rare WW1 Trench Military Officers Silver Rolex black dialed Borgel type Wrist Watch dating from 1918. 

The watch has just been fully serviced and overhauled by my watch-maker, and is keeping excellent time for a 100 plus year old watch. The watch comes with a two year international mechanical warranty and guarantee.

This watch is guaranteed to be a genuine silver cased WW1 Rolex officers trench wrist watch, fully signed to dial and a high quality 15 jewel Aegler movement, and comes with a new presentation box. 

In 1903 Hans Wilsdorf moved to London, where he said that he worked for a good watchmaking firm. Growing in confidence with the experience he gained from this and his previous employment, two years after arriving in London Wilsdorf set about establishing his own business. In May 1905, at the age of 24, he borrowed some money from his brother and sister. He was introduced by his solicitors White, Leonard & Co to Alfred James Davis who wished to invest some money. They founded the firm of Wilsdorf & Davis on 22 June 1905 as equal partners at 83 Hatton Gardens, London E.C.

When the name Rolex was introduced it was reserved for use on Aegler lever watches, although even these were sometimes made with only seven jewels rather than fully jewelled with 15 jewels. 

Wilsdorf registered Rolex as a brand name in La Chaux-de-Fonds on 2 July 1908 . This shows that Rolex is a trademark of Wilsdorf and Davis, manufacturers of watches, parts of watches and cases. Wilsdorf requested Aegler use the new trademark on all of his watches. Aegler wanted their own name to appear on the watches they manufactured, but reluctantly agreed to Wilsdorf's request. Wilsdorf wanted to create a brand that would distinguish his product from other watches, which may even have contained the same parts.

A certificate of incorporation shows that the Rolex Watch Company Limited was incorporated as a limited company in London on 18 November 1915 under the Companies Acts, 1908 and 1913. If nothing changed, Rolex would have continued to be a British company with its headquarters in London.  During this period the firm of Aegler were purchased by Rolex.

Rolex. 

The watch case with classic Borgel screw on top knurled cover and the movement is hinged inside the classic Borgel type case, also sealing itself against moisture and damp. 

The term waterproof was used at the time to means the watch would withstand rain, or splashing with water whilst hand washing. The requirements of recreational diving, or even swimming wearing a watch, were not considered until well into the twentieth century. Watches are not called waterproof today, recognising that such an absolute standard cannot be achieved, but are characterised by different degrees of water resistance. 

The wristwatch shown here has a later version of the Borgel patent screw case. Invented by François Borgel of Geneva and patented in 1891, the Borgel screw case was very widely used for officer's wristwatches and trench watches during the Great War. The watch has a patent damp and dust proof case, together with the milled bezel, the onion crown on the end of a significant stem tube projecting from the case.

Although it was advertised as being damp and dust proof rather than waterproof, the Borgel screw case was much better sealed than jointed cases. The movements of watches with Borgel cases were very well protected from the adverse conditions in the trenches and often emerge in almost factory fresh condition after over 100 years.

THE DIAL: 97% mint, the black enamel dial with luminised Arabic numerals and  signed Rolex, with some fine scratches to dial centre. Dial with lumed cathedral military type hands and sub seconds. Diameter is 29 mm. The case with a  clean mineral glass crystal. 

THE MOVEMENT: 100% mint, with silver steel plates. The watch with a compensated regulator and two arm bimetallic balance, with over-coiled hairspring. The Swiss movement of high quality, 15 jewels and signed Rolex 15 jewels. The movement with a gilt metal coloured onion type winding button. The watch is a fabulous example of high grade Swiss engineering. 

THE CASE: 98% mint, the large sized silver two piece case measures 35 mm outside diameter and 41 mm to ends of the swivel lugs. The three piece case is in excellent condition, with a hinged back and inner hinged silver dust cuvette. The rear cover in very good order as expected for a 100 year old watch, with sterling silver marks and date and duty marks and  makers registered mark with Brevete and further stamped, Rolex.  

THE BRACELET: 100% mint, watch comes with a period military watch bracelet, which will fit most wrists. The watch also comes with a new fine quality leatherette presentation box to store the watch when not in use. Overall, this is a very fine and highly desirable Asprey wrist watch, dating from 1918. 

The watch keeps excellent time and is very useable for every-day wear or for best wear on holidays and birthdays. All of our high quality watches are guaranteed to be genuine and will be supplied with a presentation box and our own authenticity guarantee / paperwork along with a written insurance valuation. A truly unique and unusual gift or just a special present for an anniversary, wedding or birthday or for yourself. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Please note, the magnified electronic images show detail much greater than would be visible with the naked eye. Any dark areas or marks on highly polished surfaces are almost certainly reflections from the camera or lighting equipment. If there are any marks or dents of any note, these will be mentioned in the description. All of our watches have been fully cleaned and serviced by a professional watch-maker unless not stated on the auction and the time-keeping carefully checked. 

We are happy to give a 2 year international warranty on this work, which is thoroughly checked, and all watches are also given a 24 hour check prior to being shipped. 

GUARANTEE & RETURN POLICY: If any item received is not as described, please . us and return it, and we will repair it and return it to you free of charge. The only exception to this, is if the watch has been misused or damaged. Please note that we do not accept 3rd part watch makers repairs or invoices. In the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with any watch you have purchased, please do not hesitate to contact us and every effort will be made to ensure that any problems are resolved to your satisfaction. If there has been an error or the item is not as described then we will offer a full refund, provided that the item is returned to me, undamaged and in the condition that it was sent out. 

PAYMENT: We expect all auctions to be fully paid for within 3 days of the auction ending