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Vintage Wristwatches For Sale From The 1930s.

The 1930s should be regarded as a decade in which the ideas pioneered in the 1920s were refined and perfected. There was something of a mania for horological innovation in the 1920s, but a lot of the quirkier movement types, many of which are fascinating things to study and extremely collectible today, were actually fairly flawed in practical terms. The 1930s took the embryonic designs of the 1920s and built on them to produce commercially viable models that were realistic propositions as everyday timekeepers.

There probably isn’t a better example of this than automatic winding. Harwood, Autorist, Rolls and a small number of other concerns had patented their own systems for self-winding wristwatches but in truth, these are to be viewed in retrospect as inspired but courageous failures. They were valiant attempts to create a model that was powered by the motion of the wearer’s wrist but any collector who has ever worn one for a day will be well aware that if your life depended on knowing the accurate time, a pioneering early automatic from the 1920s wouldn’t be your first choice of watch.

It was six years after the Harwood company ceased trading that Rolex launched its first automatic watch, the Oyster Perpetual. Known by modern day collectors as the “bubble back”, this title being derived from the very thick domed back that was needed to accommodate the additional thickness of the self-winding mechanism screwed on top of a conventional hand wound movement. Winding in one direction only, it was crude by modern standards but it worked and, at a push, if it was serviced regularly, could be relied upon to give reasonably accurate time keeping in a practical sense.

Rolex has been so significant in the luxury wristwatch market that milestones in its history are to be regarded as landmarks in the development of the wristwatch in general. While the Rolex Oyster, the world’s first reliably waterproof wristwatch, had been launched during the previous decade, this was offered in cushion and octagonal shapes. In 1932 Rolex introduced its Oyster reference 2324, this being the first Rolex Oyster to have the instantly recognisable shape that we still see on the brand new watches sitting in Rolex agents’ windows worldwide today. A good, all original reference 2323 Rolex Oyster from the 1930s is quite rightly to be regarded as one of the all time greats and is an important inclusion in any serious vintage watch collection.

Art deco was still the guiding force in case design, with rectangular and cubist inspired cases being very much in vogue. Dials would no longer just have numerals, but would also have their hour positions indicated by batons, and combinations of alternating numerals and batons from this period are often extremely attractive. We have seen enamel dials from this period, interestingly nearly always on Longines watches, but for the most part enamel had ceased to be used and painted metal dials were now virtually universal.

Though theoretically in use for watch cases since the late World War I era, stainless steel housings were seen far more commonly in the 1930s. Advancements in the ability to machine such hard metal meant that it became viable to produce steel cases on a commercial scale, with steel gradually taking over from silver in the ranges of the major Swiss houses. Another design concept that made its debut during this decade was the use of mixed metal in cases for dramatic two-tone aesthetic effect, with gold being coupled with steel and platinum with gold.

Certainly by the second half of the 1930s, lugs had become an important integral part of the overall styling of watch cases, but even so, they weren’t yet as prominent as they would become in the 1940s. Hands were used in such a variety of shapes that to list these would be nigh on impossible. However, diamond and square Breguet patterns stand out as being especially evocative of this era. Radium paint was commonly seen on both hands and dials, the taste for which, sadly, led to the early demise from cancer of many of the ladies working in the Swiss factories who would lick the bristles of their paint brushes in order to create a finely pointed tip that was ideal for filling in this luminous detail.

From a buyer’s point of view, pre-war vintage watches from the 1930s by the famous Swiss houses are very difficult to resist. As with all the best models from earlier decades, genuinely top notch examples are not easy to source and fakes abound. The cream of totally authentic survivors from this period are represented on this site and while certainly not cheap by any means, they will prove to be sound investments while at the same time being very enjoyable things to wear and collect.

Zenith silver and gold officer’s 1930

In a large silver case with pink gold hinges and lugs, this delightful vintage Zenith offers a refined twist on the officer’s watch theme. In nearly mint, investment grade condition throughout, yet surprisingly affordable and excellent value for money.

Price £875 GB Pounds

Dunhill London art deco duo-dial doctor’s 1931

Signed and retailed new by one of the most glamorous suppliers of luxury goods in London in the inter-war period, this piece is very evocative of the era in which it was manufactured and a lovely example of the much coveted duo-dial format.

Price £1075 GB Pounds

Mappin & Webb duo dial doctor’s watch 18k gold 1932

With a distinctive seperate seconds register to enable the timing of a patient’s heartbeat, the doctor’s watch is one of the most attractive and desirable of all vintage wristwatches. We are delighted to offer such an immaculate example.

Price £1275 GB Pounds

Mechanical Digital Ladies Art Deco 1933

So evocative of the art deco period between the two World Wars, this thirties ladies’ mechanical digital is a rare, untouched specimen of the one of the most fascinating early wristwatch styles. Collectible and very charming.

Price £345 GB Pounds

Duo Dial Doctor’s Watch Scottish dial gold 1933

There are very few vintage watches than can be regarded as more iconic and evocative than these duo dialled doctors’ models of the 1930s. Elegant and very opulent, they conjure up mental images of society life in the art deco era between the wars.

Price £1075 GB Pounds

Rolex Oyster steel 1934

In remarkable condition, this is the text book specimen of a vintage Rolex Oyster from the mid inter-war period. With subsidiary seconds, pencil hands and an Oyster Patent winding crown, it is a very fine example of its type.

Price £1375 GB Pounds

Rolex large gold cushion with Rolco signature 1934

This 1934 model is interesting on account of it being signed with one of several versions of the main company name that were registered by Rolex in the inter-War years. It is a beautiful piece, in a large gold cushion case and a serious collector’s watch.

Price £1375 GB Pounds

Rolex ladies gold with guilloche dial, boxed, 1935

With an engine turned starburst dial, this is one of the most visually dramatic vintage ladies Rolex watches for sale on our website. In superb original condition, complete with its Scottish retailer’s box. Very much an investment grade piece.

Price £1225 GB Pounds

Rolex Queen ladies gold art deco boxed 1935

The art deco Queen was one of the most beautiful ladies’ Rolex watches of the 1930s. This one is among the best we have ever owned, with a gorgeous original two tone dial. Boxed and with a gold mesh bracelet.

Price £1675 GB Pounds

Rolex Tudor gold cushion, very early, 1935

This is by far the earliest example of Rolex’s Tudor range that we have ever owned, pre-dating the “official” launch of Tudor by ten years. It is a very collectible curiosity that will send the pulse rates of vintage Rolex aficionados soaring.

Price £875 GB Pounds
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