Possibly Agatha Christie's Rolex cocktail watch mid 1920s

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Greetings to all fellow collectors,

I have just recently bought a watch, that may be part of the life of A.Christie.

The story

Watch comes from the collection of elderly an Italian gentleman, almost 90 y.o., suffering Alzheimer, without any relatives whom to pass the heirloom, hence selling his belongings. This particular watch was based on his reference, bought in the 1970s during his visit of England from a local jeweler. Has been sitting in his collection for past 50+ years.

The watch

Based on my humble research it deals with the high end Rolex cocktail watch made of 9CT gold, both case and the flexible bracelet. Telephone dial is particularly rare and made only for GB market. Serial number indicates, it was made in between 1925-1927.

The engraving

Was made by hand definitely in the past, most probably by the pofessional. Stated: "A.Christie, Jan.- 26".

1926 - Personal Turmoil and Transformation:

In April 1926, Christie was devastated by the death of her mother—a loss that had a profound emotional impact on her. Later that same year, her husband Archibald Christie revealed his affair with Nancy Neele, triggering a personal crisis. This betrayal contributed to a dramatic and mysterious period in her life: in December 1926, she disappeared for 11 days. Her disappearance—accompanied by conflicting accounts and intense media scrutiny—remains one of the most enigmatic episodes of her biography. By 1928, the divorce from Archibald Christie was finalized, marking the end of a turbulent marriage.

This was definitely ciritcal part of her life. The only thing that doesn't make a sense it conotation to particular month January?

On Weddings, Gifts, and a Rolex Watch:

There is no record of a new wedding during this period; her only wedding took place in 1914, and her second marriage—to archaeologist Max Mallowan—did not occur until 1930, after this period had ended. Similarly, there are no documented accounts of Christie receiving any significant gifts or a Rolex watch between 1923 and 1928. Her personal and professional focus during these years was largely on coping with emotional distress and establishing her literary legacy.

A.Christie liked watches

There are dozen of publicy available images, where is wearing watches throughout her life. She liked, based on my understanding, sophisticated pieces wearing loose. On more picutres, face of the watch is poiting to the side of her wrist. There is one particularly interesting picture, where she is wearing a very similar bracelet on her left wrist. Still can't assume if it may be this particular watch or not.

Your opinion?

What are your points, suggestions, eventually advice how to proceed to verify, whether this way be in some way related to the best person of Agatha Christie?

Thank you in advance for your time and profound knowledge shared upfront

Have a nice Sunday everyone

A.

 
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Great watch and great research. The wedding may be a ‘red herring’; the watch may have been a gift from a well-wisher, or from her new publisher, Collins, or just her own purchase to celebrate/reflect on the changes in fortune and in her life.

The fact that it doesn’t give any detail of the giver/presenter of the watch suggests to me that she decided to buy it for herself.
 
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Great watch and great research. The wedding may be a ‘red herring’; the watch may have been a gift from a well-wisher, or from her new publisher, Collins, or just her own purchase to celebrate/reflect on the changes in fortune and in her life.

The fact that it doesn’t give any detail of the giver/presenter of the watch suggests to me that she decided to buy it for herself.
Thanks Spruce for you comments and contribution.

I was thinking the same. Analyzing the broader context and famous stories from the era of late 20s, e.g. Felix from Fred '29 leads me to the similar conclusion. It had to be a gift to her.

I haven't seen anybody, except Marlon Brando to sign his/her watch 😀 But, since it deals with the Agatha Christie nothing is expected to be "common" here, I guess.
 
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During the nineteenth and early twentieth century I believe that when one purchased an expensive item of ‘jewellery’; a watch, a card case, a match holder, etc, jewellers routinely offered to have the item inscribed/engraved and this may have occurred with this watch.

Although my watch was a gift from my antique dealer mother when I qualified, she had my initials engraved on the caseback

 
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During the nineteenth and early twentieth century I believe that when one purchased an expensive item of ‘jewellery’; a watch, a card case, a match holder, etc, jewellers routinely offered to have the item inscribed/engraved and this may have occurred with this watch.

Although my watch was a gift from my antique dealer mother when I qualified, she had my initials engraved on the caseback

Well, the lead about Collins sheds some more light into this mystery!

Agatha Christie’s long-term relationship with Collins (now part of HarperCollins) is generally considered to have begun around 1926. In that year, following the success of her early novels published by The Bodley Head, she began working with William Collins, Sons as her principal publisher in the United Kingdom. One of the major milestones of this partnership was the publication of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd in 1926, which not only solidified her reputation as a master of the mystery genre but also marked the start of a fruitful and enduring cooperation with Collins.

Thank you once again, Spruce.

I am going to send an email to HarperCollins and Rolex to put some more pieces into this puzzle. Will share the findings afterwards!

Have a great sunday

Andrej
 
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Thanks Andrej,
I’ll look forward with great interest to hear the information that you discover.
 
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Bodley Head may also have information.