Internet Horology Club 185
Is this a "Rolex" dial? If not what make is it?

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November 06, 2014, 11:23
Tom Brunton
Is this a "Rolex" dial? If not what make is it?
i picked up a small batch of Rolex parts when a retired watchmaker came to my door and this was included. A very nice 23.46mm Active Service trench watch dial,exceptional condition,feet at 4:12 and 10:40 I'm wondering if anyone knows the maker ???


November 06, 2014, 11:25
Tom Brunton
#2


November 06, 2014, 16:22
Bruce Stewart
A 10 1/2 ligne Rolex (Rebberg) movement dial from the late 20's and early 30's has feet at 10:40 and 4:40. This dial is close, but not close enough to fit an early Rolex.
November 06, 2014, 16:44
Tom Brunton
thank you Bruce!!! Wink The other stuff was all marked Rolex so I was hoping this might be Rolex as well !!
November 07, 2014, 09:08
Bruce Stewart
Tom, there is always the chance that this dial may fit the Rolex cal. 59 movement (10.5 ligne) that was made for Rolex by Fontainemelon. Aegler was the original manufacturer of the Rebberg, Hunter, etc. for Rolex, but Aegler also made the Gruen movements. In the 20's, there was a contract with Aegler saying Gruen could sell in N. America, and Rolex had to stay in Europe, Australia, India, Burma, etc. To get around that problem and gain entry into the American market, Rolex went to Fontainemelon with the result being the cal. 59. Their first venue to sell their watches with the new movement was Abercrombie & Fitch. Shortly thereafter, it was used in Rolex watches for the Canadian market. Unfortunately, I don't have a loose cal. 59 dial laying around to check the feet location. Attached is a pic of a cal. 59 from an A & F watch, circa 1928.


November 07, 2014, 09:11
Bruce Stewart
Here is the A & F wrist watch that goes with the movement shown above.