I’ve had this for a few years and have only seen one other. I’ve gone through books and googled it to death. Can anyone help out on a ref. Number? Any info would really be appreciated. It’s one of my personal favourites. Being 32 every time I wear it I get razzed by my buddies for wearing a ladies watch, they don’t understand timeless style in my opinion.
It was squeezing little watches like this through chronometer testing that first made Rolex's name. They did it when the world thought you needed a big pocketwatch size movement for accuracy. Long before the Oyster case this was Rolex's claim to fame!
That one has all the earmarks of being an unusual “fifth pinion” model. The 4th wheel is in the wrong place for the subsidiary seconds hand, so the maker appears to have shoehorned an extra drive wheel, low down on the 4th wheel arbor, and an extra tiny pinion and cock under the balance wheel to carry the subsidiary seconds hand. Known as caliber 360, circa 1937. Timed to 6 positions, chronometer. Your friends who tease you have NO idea how rare and unusual a watch that is. Someone may know better than me, but the movement might have been by the firm Aegler, for Rolex. Reference? That would refer to case style. Only reference I can find that is close is in the Vintage American & European Wrist Watch Price Guide, book 2, by Sherry & Roy Ehrhardt, Joe Demesy, and Ken Specht, page 319. ISBN 0~913902-56-X, out of print. From circa 1982. This book can be found for sale on line, occasionally.
The listing I refer to has some minor style differences, but it appears to be the same caliber movement.
Fabulous watch, great research by Canuck. A chronometer that size is astounding.
Remember that the chronometer ratings were different between the various movement sizes; one of these would be allowed a somewhat less accurate reading than a bigger movement.
Still, nothing to be ashamed off! It's a very, very cool watch..! 😀
