Circa 1935 Art Deco-period gents’ Rolex Oyster wristwatch in 9-carat yellow gold, featuring a Rolex signed hand-wound movement and a classic Rolex signed cushion case. Originally supplied by Murdock’s of Cape Town, South Africa, this timepiece showcases a stunning dial with patina and distinctive Arabic numerals, signed Rolex Oyster Murdock’s Cape Town Swiss Made.
Murdock’s Jewellers, established in 1897, has been a renowned jewellery and watch retailer in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. Their trusted relationship with Rolex dates back to the early 20th century when Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf formed a partnership with James Edgar Murdock, who had arrived in South Africa from England in 1896.
Recently inspected by a Rolex specialist watchmaker, this watch is keeping excellent time and is ready to be treasured enjoyed for many years to come!
This Rolex gents cushion watch made in the time when watches were being made small to show off their watchmaking skills, albeit please note this time piece is housed in a 28mm cushion case which is very small compared to modern Rolex wristwatch’s. Powered by the 15 jewel hand winding movement signed Rolex. The original solid yellow Gold 9 carat case is rare and has fixed bars fitted to a new leather band.
The Original Dial: The champagne dial carrying wonderful patina is signed ‘Rolex Oyster Murdock’s Cape Town Swiss Made’. Unique raised Arabic numerals with applied outer chapter ring featuring hour and minute indices. Gold gilt ‘Dauphine’ handset. Fully functional auxiliary dial at ‘6’ o clock. Dial has marks commensurate with age and wear. Please observe photographs carefully.
Original Crystal: Acrylic dome crystal in good condition.
Original Case: Case measures 28mm wide excluding crown and 34.5mm in length including lugs - A solid 9 carat yellow Gold cushion case with a fixed chamfered bezel and lugs. Case has surface scratches associated with precious metals commensurate with age and wear. Overall in solid condition for the age.
Original Case Back Cover Outer: Screw back milled edge solid gold case. Has serial number engraved 35376 dating to 1935 on the Rolex date register. Case cover has surface scratches and a couple of small pin dents commensurate with age and wear associated with precious metals. The case back cover screws and fits perfectly flush - Please observe photos.
Original Case Back Cover Inner: Import marks for Glasgow dating to 1935 - Signed OYSTER WATCH CO GENEVA-SWISS GREAT BRITAIN PATENTS
SWISS PATENTS FRENCH PATENTS U.S.A. PATENTS GERMAN PATENTS R.W.C Ltd (Rolex Watch Company Ltd). Some gold tarnishing to edges commensurate with age and wear - In solid condition fits perfectly flush with case.
Original Movement: Signed Rolex 15 Rubies Swiss Made Fab Suisse. Rare movement in good working order, recently inspected by Rolex specialist keeping good time.
Original Crown/Winder: Screwdown crown signed Oyster Patent with the Brevet cross in relief. In good working order.
Strap/Band Buckle: Unauthentic aftermarket leather strap fitted to an aftermarket steel gold plated buckle.
*Please observe photographs carefully as they form part of the description*
Please note this Rolex is over 90 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.