A rare circa 1938 Gents ‘Officers’ Rolex WW2 steel reference 3892 hand winding cushion wristwatch. Housed in a 28mm. Recently benefited from a service by a Rolex specialist watchmaker, keeping accurate time in superb running order!
Rolex had launched the waterproof Oyster in the 1920’s and then the chronometer rated watches in the early 1930’s and early 40’s. The Oysters were often chronometer rated and became very popular. Some of the other models produced by Rolex during this period were made in much smaller quantities as the Oyster chronometer rated watches were more popular. As a result there were some models from this period which are very rare. One such watch is this Rolex, it is a gents cushion watch made in the time when watches were being made small to show off their watchmaking skills and designed for maximum comfort during combat, this piece is housed in a 28mm steel case. Powered by the 15 jewel 10.5 ligne hand winding movement signed Rolex. The original case is rare and has fixed bars fitted with a new leather band.
The Original Dial: Signed Rolex with the coronet below ‘12’. Silvered dial with unique luminous aged Arabic numerals to 12, 2, 4, 8, 10 and ‘12’ with the rest of the hour markers with arrow head indexes along with an applied outer chapter ring to 1/5th of a scale. Blue steel dauphine’ hands with luminous inserts. The dial has lovely patina. Fully functional subsidiary seconds dial. Dial has substantial marks and age related wear giving a commensurate with daily wear, please observe photographs.
Original Crystal: Acrylic dome crystal in good condition.
Original Case: Rare 28mm steel cushion case with a fixed bezel. Has surface scratches, pitting and tarnishing due to excessive polishing of the case commensurate with maintenance, age and every day wear. Fixed lugs are in good solid condition.
Original Case Back Cover Outer: Snap back steel case numbered 051703 dating the watch to 1938 on the Rolex date register. Case has surface scratches commensurate with age and wear. Please observe photos.
Original Case Back Cover Inner: Signed Rolex S.A 31 Victories HAUTE PRECISION GENEVE SUISSE SAR 3892 290. In good condition fits perfectly flush with with a satisfying click when closed and pop when opened. In good condition.
Original Movement: Signed Rolex 15 Rubies Swiss Made. In good working order recently overhauled by Rolex specialist keeping accurate time, running superbly.
Original Crown/Winder: Unsigned crown in good working order.
Strap/Band Buckle: New good quality unauthentic aftermarket leather strap fitted to a aftermarket steel buckle.
*Please observe photographs carefully as they form part of the description*
Please note this Rolex is over 85 years old. Shipping DHL insured registered post World wide buyer responsible for any taxes or duties due which may delay or hold up your shipment at destination port.
Additional Information;
‘The greatest triumph in watch making, the Rolex Oyster. The wonder watch that defies the elements.’
The headline from the front page of the Daily Mail newspaper, November 24th, 1927. Hans Wilsdorf (founder of the Rolex watch company) had succeeded in producing a truly waterproof watch and took the whole front page to advertise his achievement. Following years of striving to improve the ‘wristlet’ or wristwatch, Wilsdorf patented the Oyster case in September 1926. Consisting of three parts, bezel, ring and back that were all threaded to screw together, ensuring the case was water and dust proof. A month later he filed a patent for the screw thread and crown, which would hermetically seal the watch. (This had originally been filed by Paul Perregaux and Georges Peret (their one and only patent) in October 1925. Wilsdorf saw the great potential and bought the patent and subsequently filed for the British patent; 260.554.) Wilsdorf saw a great marketing opportunity when 26-year-old Mercedes Glietze swam the English Channel in October 1927. He presented her with an Oyster watch, which she wore on a chain around her neck. After the swim, lasting 15 hours and 15 minutes, the watch was found to be running and telling the correct time! He followed this triumph with window displays of aquariums with Oyster watches submerged inside, an idea he had registered in November 1922.
‘We must succeed in making a watchcase so tight that our movements will be permanently guaranteed against damage caused by dust, perspiration, water, heat and cold. Only then will the perfect accuracy of the Rolex watch be secured’ HW. Continuing his strive for the best, Wilsdorf patented seven more improvements in the next ten years. The Perpetual movement was patented in 1931. This was seen as the best automatic movement, an area where other companies had tried but not succeeded. Wilsdorf was a marketing genius, he raised the profile of Rolex watches with endorsements from sportsmen to explorers; Malcolm Campbell & Edmund Hillary. He presented the 100 000th Oyster watch to Winston Churchill, a gold Rolex Datejust. He also presented the 150 000th watch to Dwight Eisenhower, who later became president of The United States. The ‘Oyster’ name (derived when Wilsdorf had difficulty opening an oyster at dinner) continues to be on the majority of Rolex watches sold today. ‘We want to be the first in the field and Rolex should be seen as the one and only – the best.’ HW 1914. (073)