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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Antique Rolex Gold Plated Pocket Watch, c. 1920s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Rolex (maker)
Date
c. 1920s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
gold
Stock no.
Product 4496
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 4496)
Catalogue title (original)
Antique Rolex Gold Plated Pocket Watch (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 4496), this is a pocket watch by Rolex, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1920s. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop

Introducing our latest innovation, a state-of-the-art wireless smart speaker that seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with sleek, modern design to elevate your audio experience. This high-fidelity speaker delivers crystal-clear sound quality with deep bass and rich, immersive tones, making it perfect for any setting, whether you’re hosting a party, relaxing at home, or working in your office. With its intuitive voice control and compatibility with popular virtual assistants, you can effortlessly manage your music, control smart home devices, and access a world of information with simple voice commands. The compact, portable design ensures that you can take your music anywhere, while the long-lasting battery life keeps the tunes playing for hours on end. Additionally, the speaker features advanced connectivity options, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing you to stream your favorite playlists from any device with ease. Crafted with premium materials and a minimalist aesthetic, this wireless smart speaker not only sounds exceptional but also adds a touch of sophistication to any space. Experience the future of audio with a product that truly understands your needs and exceeds your expectations. During the 1920s, Rolex was a relatively new company looking to expand their customer base. As such, they often encased their high-quality movements in gold-plated cases, as solid gold was too expensive for the average consumer. This particular Rolex pocket watch, produced circa 1920s, features a rose gold-plated case with a blue enamelled Roman numeral inlay on the front. The enamel adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the watch’s design. The dial is immaculate, with a white enamel finish and Arabic numerals, accompanied by an outer minute track and a subsidiary seconds dial at six o’clock. The dial bears the double signature of Rolex and James Walker Ltd., the original retailer of the watch. The blued steel spade hands and matching seconds hand complement the dial’s clean lines and overall aesthetic. The pocket watch’s movement is a fully-jewelled, high-quality keyless lever movement, also signed by Rolex. It features fast-slow regulation, a compensated balance, and a Breguet overcoil hairspring – all trademarks of Rolex’s exceptional craftsmanship. A Dennison case, supplied to Rolex for their pocket and wristwatch movements, encloses the watch’s movement. The case is plain at the back, but opens up to reveal the inner cover. Overall, this rose gold-plated half hunter pocket watch is a prime example of Rolex’s early work and is sure to be treasured by collectors and enthusiasts alike. Creator: Rolex Case Material: Gold Plate Case Shape: Round Movement: Manual Wind Case Dimensions: Diameter: 49 mm (1.93 in) Place of Origin: Switzerland Period: 1920-1929 Date of Manufacture: C1920s Condition: Excellent

Historical context

Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)

The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.

The pocket watch reached technical maturity and then began to give way to the wristwatch after the First World War. Complicated watches for collectors such as Henry Graves Jr. and James Ward Packard, railroad watches, and slim Art Deco dress watches are characteristic.

Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution

Atlas type guide

Pocket watches

The pocket watch was the dominant personal timekeeper from the late seventeenth century until the First World War. Its development tracks the history of the escapement: verge watches with fusees until the late eighteenth century; Thomas Mudge's lever escapement (c. 1755) and the cylinder escapement popularised by George Graham and later by Swiss makers; and the Swiss and English lever watches of the nineteenth century. Lépine's bar-bridge calibre and keyless winding made watches thinner and easier to use.

Industrialisation transformed the trade: American factories such as Waltham (from 1850) and Elgin produced interchangeable parts by machine, and Swiss makers responded with their own mechanisation after the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition. By 1900 a reliable watch was affordable to millions; the finest makers continued to produce complications and precision watches.

What to look for

  • The escapement: verge (crown wheel), cylinder, duplex, English or Swiss lever.
  • Key winding (a square arbor in dial or back) or keyless crown winding.
  • Signatures and serial numbers on the movement, dial and inside case back.
  • Hallmarks, case maker's marks and gold or silver standards stamped in the case.
  • Dial material: enamel, silver, gold, later printed metal.

Dating clues

  • Verge watches dominate before c. 1800; cylinder watches c. 1770–1900; lever watches after c. 1820.
  • Keyless winding: increasingly common after c. 1860.
  • Manufacturer serial number lists exist for Waltham, Elgin, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe and others.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Verge escapementDetached lever escapementFuseeIdentification Centre

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