Rolex W&D WWI Officers Trench Watch 1916 Silver Case + Original Rebberg Movement
Rolex W&D Sterling Silver Officers Trench Wristwatch – c.1916 – Original Case + Movement (For Restoration)
A rare and historically important Rolex wristwatch from the WWI era, housed in a sterling silver hinged case with fixed wire lugs and full British import hallmarks for 1916. These early W&D “trench watches” were worn by officers during the First World War.
Authentic Rolex / Wilsdorf & Davis silver case, with “ROLEX” signature, W&D sponsor’s mark, lion passant, and London import hallmarks for 1916.
Original Rolex Rebberg movement present, damaskeened, engraved “ROLEX” on the balance cock.
Original enamel dial with Arabic numerals, red ‘12’, and subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock.
Empty W&D silver Rolex cases alone have sold for £600–800. Even incomplete examples like this remain highly collectible.
Case: Sterling silver, 34 mm diameter (excluding crown), hinged back, fixed wire lugs. Wear consistent with age.
Dial: Original enamel, hairlines and marks visible, but still legible.
Movement: Original Rolex Rebberg calibre, incomplete (missing wheel bridge, third/fourth wheel, and possibly other train parts). Offered strictly as a restoration project or for spares/parts.
Crown/Crystal: Not present.
Empty W&D cases alone achieve £600–800.
Complete but broken Rolex trench watches regularly sell £1,000–1,500+.
Fully restored examples can exceed £2,000.
This example, with case + original movement (though incomplete), is a fine opportunity for restoration or as a donor for authentic Rolex Rebberg parts.