Vintage Rolco watch

I thought I would share a few pictures of this 1930s 9ct Rolco watch.  

The  yellow tint is due to the age of the glass. It could be changed but I think it adds rather than detracts from the look of the watch.

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As you can see it has an octagonal case which is hallmarked for Glasgow in 1932.

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The maker mark for the case is RWC Co which was the sponsor mark for the Rolex Watch Company, which they had used since the 1920s.

Rolco was one of a number of names used by Rolex. At the time it would have been a cheaper option to buy than watches that had the Rolex stamp on the dial and movement.

This watch has a 15 Jewel movement which I think is beautiful...

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it is stamped "Rolco" though I can't see any other mark that would denote the calibre or maker.

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As I understand it a vintage watch can only be recognised as being a Rolex if that name is on the dial / movement. In this instance the watch is in a Rolex case but would have been retailed by Rolex at a lower price point. They would have viewed the movement as being of a lesser quality compared to the ones that carried the Rolex name.

The watch works well and looks great considering its around 85 years old.

beautifull watch and a stunning movement, but can i just say: get the crystal changed as soon as you can, these old crystals "out gas" chlorine and phluorine gas.......both of which are highly corrosive, i see the hands are starting to corrode, it will spread to the movement [ if it hasnt already ] and it would be tragic if it got damaged for the sake of a new crystal

That movement is a work of art the pattern in it is beautiful those hands look rather delicate . Very very nice thanks for sharing it

domecurb wrote:beautifull watch and a stunning movement, but can i just say: get the crystal changed as soon as you can, these old crystals "out gas" chlorine and phluorine gas.......both of which are highly corrosive, i see the hands are starting to corrode, it will spread to the movement [ if it hasnt already ] and it would be tragic if it got damaged for the sake of a new crystal

Thanks for that advice. Possibly over the years of collecting vintage watches I have become used to glasses that were tinted with age.

I had been told that when the glass becomes tinted it can slightly contract in size so the only risk was it could unexpectedly fall out and the hands / dial could be damaged.

In general though it seemed to be a plus to leave the glass if possible because it was original to and reflected the age of the watch.

I think now I better invest in a couple of tools and see if I can manage to get it changed.

SeikoJohn wrote:That movement is a work of art the pattern in it is beautiful those hands look rather delicate . Very very nice thanks for sharing it

Thank you John.

After Bruce's advice I think your recent posts on changing a glass are going to be very helpful.

daff62 wrote:

SeikoJohn wrote:That movement is a work of art the pattern in it is beautiful those hands look rather delicate . Very very nice thanks for sharing it

Thank you John.

After Bruce's advice I think your recent posts on changing a glass are going to be very helpful.

you will need something like this:


you cant press in plastic/acrylic crystals, their outer edge needs to be compressed to fit

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you will need something like this:


you cant press in plastic/acrylic crystals, their outer edge needs to be compressed to fit[/quote]

Thanks Bruce, I was already starting to wonder how to press out and then in a glass which is in a gold hinged case.

So this tool along with calipers (rather than a tape measure) for accuracy should be fine. Thanks again for the advice.

daff62 wrote:

you will need something like this:


you cant press in plastic/acrylic crystals, their outer edge needs to be compressed to fit[/quote]

Thanks Bruce, I was already starting to wonder how to press out and then in a glass which is in a gold hinged case.

So this tool along with calipers (rather than a tape measure) for accuracy should be fine. Thanks again for the advice. [/quote]

you may find the old crystal just pushes out as its unlikely to be the original, if not you will need the tool to remove it without breaking for measuring, although some of these crystals on these old cases are fitted from the inside

i found this youtube video may be useful for you

D [/quote]

you may find the old crystal just pushes out as its unlikely to be the original, if not you will need the tool to remove it without breaking for measuring, although some of these crystals on these old cases are fitted from the inside [/quote]

Thanks Bruce

I think I may have one of those tools that I bought many years ago, no doubt with good intent but not in practice. I will do some raking and see if I can find it

SeikoJohn wrote:i found this youtube video may be useful for you

Thank you John, that's a very helpful video.

daff62 wrote:

SeikoJohn wrote:i found this youtube video may be useful for you

Thank you John, that's a very helpful video.

the little flat tool is used as a spacer to keep the compressor a set hight above the crystal edge and watch case, you dont need it but you do need to be aware of the need for a gap between the tool and case

Just as an update after major raking I found this.........

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... and have placed an order for a set of calipers.

Once they arrive I should be organised and will post an update with how I am getting on.

daff62 wrote:Just as an update after major raking I found this.........

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... and have placed an order for a set of calipers.

Once they arrive I should be organised and will post an update with how I am getting on.

good stuff, looking forward to further instalments

daff62 wrote:Just as an update after major raking I found this.........

Ah but what else did you find whilst searching

glad you found it

SeikoJohn wrote:

daff62 wrote:Just as an update after major raking I found this.........

Ah but what else did you find whilst searching

glad you found it

Thanks John, nothing exciting I'm afraid, just general clutter that doesn't seem to fit back into the spaces they came from.