.JPG "WW1 Rolex hunter wire lug trench watch")
Status: SOLD
Not Available – Sold Contact Seller
This sterling silver Rolex semi hermetic trench watch dates to approx. 1915, it has a beautiful painted radium porcelain dial which is covered by a “hunter” cover and movement is protected by a screw back. The Rolex name is signed inside both the top and back covers and also on the movement, case is also marked W & D, Wilsdorf and Davies – founders and original name of Rolex watch co.*. This watch belonged to a WW1 lieutenant of the 66th Battery of the Canadian Field Artillery, part of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces that fought on the front lines in France during the first great war. The Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.) was in existence from 1914 – 1919 and was merged with the militia after the war, the 66th Battery** was recruited out of Montreal . This exceptional museum quality horological antique is truly a fabulous find which came to us from a direct descendant of its original owner. This timepiece is in excellent working condition and has just been serviced by our watchmaker. Photos are not actual size of watch, it measures 34 mm across (not including crown) x 38 mm lug to lug and is fit with a fit with a new military style wide leather strap.
Officers and members of the 26th Battalion of the Second Canadian Expeditionary Force
*Partial Rolex history from Wikipedia: In 1905 Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis founded “Wilsdorf and Davis” in London. Their main business at the time was importing Hermann Aegler’s Swiss movements to England and placing them in quality watch cases made by Dennison and others. These early wristwatches were sold to jewellers, who then put their own names on the dial. The earliest watches from Wilsdorf and Davis were usually hallmarked “W&D” inside the caseback. In 1908 Wilsdorf registered the trademark “Rolex” and opened an office in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The company name “Rolex” was registered on 15 November 1915.
**Info below about the 66th Battery is from Sheldrake the newsletter of the Montreal gunners.
“66th Battery CFA CEF was recruited in Montréal by 21st “Westmount” Battery CFA CM, and was mobilized at Montréal on 20 March 1916 as 66th Overseas Depot Battery CEF. It was redesignated 66th Overseas Field Battery CEF on 4 May 1916, and 66th Battery CFA CEF on 11 September 1916. The Battery arrived in the United Kingdom on 24 September 1916. It absorbed one-half of 56th Battery CFA CEF on 5 March 1917, and one section of 81st Battery CFA CEF on 25 March 1917. The Battery served in France and Flanders from 22 August 1917 until the Armistice as a sub-unit of 14th Brigade CFA CEF, 5th Canadian Divisional Artillery. It was demobilized at Montréal on about 23 June 1919″