Name: Yellow gold watch
Brand: Rolex
SKU: 25500402
Price: 6465.24 GBP
Availability: InStock

Rolex

White

1924 ROLEX "Submarine" Full Hermetic Pre-Oyster Vintage Mens Watch - 18K Gold

Very Rare & Important - Predecessor to the Famed Oyster

Without question one of the company's greatest contributions to horology is in the area of waterproof cases. The Rolex Oyster case birthed the idea of the modern sport watch as we know it and was a key catalyst for the initial widespread acceptance of the wristwatch.

But before there could be a Rolex Submariner, there had to be a Rolex Submarine. 

While many collectors know that Rolex birthed the idea of the Oyster case, far fewer know that Rolex made at least four attempts to create a fully waterproof case before they introduced the Oyster: the Dennison, Semi-Hermetic and "full" Hermetic watches. Very few of these early, pre-Oyster watches designed for water resistance still exist.

Today's offering showcases their successful pre-Oyster waterproof watch, the "Submarine". 

During World War I and in the years that followed, the public's idea of wristwatch changed dramatically. Soldiers, who had discovered how convenient it was to time strategic military operations at a simple turn of the wrist, began modifying their pocket watches, adding with soldered wire lugs a leather strap. 

Hans Wilsdorf, one of the two founders of Rolex, was a visionary who early on saw the forthcoming demand for wristwatches. He wanted to produce some of the most reliable wristwatches on the market. But he knew that this required more than well-designed and made movements, and even certifying watches as chronometers - they also needed to be in cases fully protected from the elements.

Wilsdorf recalled telling his staff time and time again, "we must succeed in making a watch case 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."

Rolex had already tried having cases made by Dennison and by Borgel, two pillars of the case making trade at the time. At the time, Rolex was well-represented in East Asia with retailers in India and Burma.

Borgel was a true legend in pioneering waterproof watch cases, and he came up with a new design for a full hermetically sealed case. It utilized a three-piece case - body, bezel, and back - that was then enclosed in a larger case with a threaded lid. The outer case only had two pieces - a full body and the bezel, which screwed down like a jar. Hans Wilsdorf was so pleased with the design that he filed for a patent in London on May 10, 1923 and filed for three additional patents for model names. One was the Submarine - which became the main model name, and the second was the Hermetic.

Borgel's hermetic design proved successful and sold well in the East Asia market, evidenced by the surviving Hermetic's that bear retailer's names from those markets. 

Within only a couple of years Borgel's hermetic case was supplanted by the new Oyster case, which was patented in 1926. So finding a fine surviving Submarine / Hermetic remains a challenge.

The Submarine briefly appeared during an interesting era, when mankind was testing the boundaries of the known world and intrepid explorers were beginning to venture more beneath the surface of the ocean. 

As Rolexes continue to appreciate in value, I think these early Oysters remain under appreciated and undervalued for their rarity and historical significance. I think a time will be coming when their value catches up with the importance and scarcity.

We were fortunate to acquire it with all of its original parts. Its 18K gold case of our very fine Submarine is in pleasing condition. The back has light rippling in the soft 18K metal. On the wrist it presents as just short of mint. Its dial has previously been flawlessly refinished. 

Its Rolex movement is very high-grade - originally adjusted for a full six positions and for hot and cold. It is rated "Extra Prima." During this period, after assembly and testing, Rolex labeled their best performing movements with some version of the three-tiered "Prima" designation, and the extra prima was the penultimate.

Our Master Watchmaker has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components with genuine Rolex replacements, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $745 value).

Don't miss the chance to add this incredibly rare and important Rolex to your distinguished collection.

Detailed Appraisal: 

Manufacturer: Rolex

Country of origin: Switzerland

Year built: c. 1924

Functions: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds, Originally Waterproof

Designed for: Men

Case material: Solid 18K gold

Case markings (inside): Swiss, 18K, F.B. (see note in case section above for information regarding Francois Borgel), 311,177

Case condition: Pleasing condition. The back has light rippling in the soft 18K metal. On the wrist it presents as just short of mint.

Dimensions: 32mm wide (excluding crown), 40mm long lug tip-to-tip

Dial: Signed Rolex, white, subtle 'sunburst' guilloche pattern visible at certain angles, black painted Breguet numerals, previously perfectly refinished 

Hands: Original, blued steel batons

Movement type: High grade, Rolex Rebberg 9 3/4''', signed Rolex and Swiss made, 15 ruby jewels

Movement markings: Rolex, Swiss Made, 15 Jewels, Timed 6 Positions, For All Climates, Extra Prima

Band: Top grain leather, Hirsch - one of Europe's fine band makers, designed for fixed lug use, like new

Band width: 16mm

Crystals: Outer - acrylic, excellent condition

Inner - mineral glass, excellent condition

Servicing: Our Master Watchmaker has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components with genuine Rolex replacements, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $745 value).

Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system.

Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate

SKU 8213SH

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<h2>Rolex, excellence in men's wrist watches.</h2>
<p>A pioneer in the domain of wrist watches, Rolex is the world's leading luxury watchmaker. From the manufacture of the components to the casting of the gold alloys and the assembly of the mechanisms, the Swiss watchmaker designs iconic <a href="/men-accessories/watches/">timekeeping pieces for men</a>.</p>
<h2>A brand at the cutting edge of innovation.</h2>
<p><a href="/rolex/">Rolex</a> was founded in London in 1905, by company director Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis. Initially called Wilsdorf &amp; Davis, then changed to Rolex three years later, the brand with the crown logo displayed a taste for avant-gardism from the very start. In 1906 it created the famous expandable straps, which became its signature. Four years went by before Rolex was granted the first precision certification awarded by the Swiss Chronometry Society. Which was very probably the reason behind Wilsdorf's move to Geneva. The first <strong>Rolex Oyster</strong>, a waterproof watch whose revolutionary winding crown protects the movement, was launched in 1926. To win over the sceptics, Rolex pulled out all the stops and displayed its Oyster watches in aquariums full of water. The birth of a legend.</p>
<p>Ever since, Rolex has adorned the wrists of the greats and goods of this world, with myriad models on the cutting edge of innovation. The <strong>Rolex Prince</strong> comes to mind, with its duo-dial, as does the <strong>Rotor</strong>, boasting an automatic winding mechanism, and the <strong>Oyster Perpetual Datejust</strong>, the first watch to display the day of the month. Not forgetting <a href="/men-accessories/watches/rolex/submariner/">the Oyster Perpetual Submariner</a>, water resistant to a depth of one hundred metres, and the Oyster Perpetual GMT Master, which gives the time in two different time zones simultaneously.</p>
<h2>Watches that are for ever.</h2>
<p>Pink gold, white gold, platinum, two-toned Rolesor, ceramic, rubber, leather, metal links, etc. there's a Rolex watch strap to suit everyone. The dials embody restrained elegance or in complete contrast, can be embellished with diamonds, gems or mother-of-pearl. They are graced with mono colours or more daring colour combos. As for Rolex crowns, they trace the 12 hours with appliques of Arabic or Roman numerals, with classic or professional hour markers. Last but not least comes a noble clasp, like the discreet Crownclasp, all of them bearing a small version of the iconic crown.</p>
<p>Among <a href="/men-accessories/watches/rolex/steel/">the legendary Rolex timepieces</a>, the <strong>Day-Date</strong> revolutionised the world of watchmaking by displaying the day of the week written out in full in different languages. The updated version has taken on a more understated and timeless feel. Whereas the <strong>Datejust</strong>, marrying steel with yellow gold, mother-of-pearl and fine diamonds, is a model of refinement. Designed with car enthusiasts in mind, the <strong>Cosmograph Daytona</strong>watch has become one of the brand's classics. It comes in an array of different versions, including the Paul Newman, that sells like hot cakes in auction rooms.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/men-accessories/watches/rolex/day-date-40mm/">The Rolex Day-Date</a>;</li>
<li><a href="/men-accessories/watches/rolex/datejust-36mm/">The Rolex Datejust</a>;</li>
<li><a href="/men-accessories/watches/rolex/daytona/">The Rolex Daytona</a>.</li>
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