WW1 Era Silver Rolex Tribute Wristwatch/Medal. Vickers Factory Crayford, London

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Seller: old.gloryhunter ✉️ (2,845) 100%, Location: Richmond, GB, Ships to: GB & many other countries, Item: 325823250721 WW1 Era Silver Rolex Tribute Wristwatch/Medal. Vickers Factory Crayford, London. Interesting & valuable early Rolex gentleman's wristwatch which bears an import date letter for London 1917.  The watch has been presented by Vickers Limited, the arms manufacturer, of Crayford, London, possibly as a tribute to war service, but also possibly as a tribute to working life or retirement. I have not researched the engraving but there is probably an interesting story behind it, it would have been quite unusual, I think, for someone to receive a sterling silver Rolex as a gift pre-1920. The watch has an attractive face with the working parts stamped "ROLEX 15 JEWELS" & "SWISS MADE". The case is stamped "501". The case back is in sterling silver and is stamped "ROLEX" & "SWISS". It bears the number 721501 and is stamped with London import makes with the date letter for London 1917. It bears the maker's mark "W & D" which was superceded by R.W.C. Ltd (Rolex Watch Company Ltd) in 1923.  The presentation engraving on the back of the case reads: "Presented to R.G. KNIGHT ESQ. BY MEMBERS OF THE COST DEPT. VICKERS LTD. 21.3.19". Weight (Watch & Strap): 36.9 gm. Diameter of Watch Face: 26 mm. Vickers Ltd, Crayford: Crayford is a town in south east London situated east of Bexleyheath and north west of Dartford. There has been a Vickers munitions factory in the town since before the Boer War and during the Boer War it was kept busy manufacturing Maxim Guns. After the Boer War ended, for a time the factory was making Wolesley type motor cars under the name Syddeley Autocars but car production ceased in 1910 and the factory reverted to manufacturing weapons in preparation for WW1. During WW1, Crayford became an important industrial town with the Vickers factory employing 12,000 people. The factory's principal weapon was the Vickers Machine Gun. After the end of WW1, employment shrank to 3,500 and the company started making motor parts. WW2 saw an uplift in weapons manufacture again but the factory finally closed in 1985 and was demolished to make way for the Tower Retail Park. Summary: Early Rolex watches are very collectable and this example has the added benefit of being a tribute presentation with a connection to the Vickers Munitions Factory in Crayford and the recipient may have received it in relation to war service. Worthy of further research! Good luck!
  • Condition: Used
  • Condition: Watch has been professionally serviced & is running well. Leather strap is brand new & unworn. No box or papers. Some historic hairline cracking to watch face. Overall excellent for age (see photos).
  • Issued/ Not-Issued: Issued
  • Era: 1914-1945
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland
  • Conflict: World War I (1914-1918)
  • Country/ Organization: Great Britain
  • Theme: Militaria
  • Type: Presentation Tribute Wristwatch

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