Here we have a compact but fascinating example of a 1939 Rolex Oyster Royal, with the flat back case design. The dial is an aged silver tone with the ‘Rolex Oyster Royal’ signing and ‘FORBES’ co-signing above the sub-seconds. It has the bold black arabic numerals with the railroad track and in-set sub-seconds. The hands are thermally blued, of stick style and catch the light.
It has the 30mm Stainless Steel Oyster case, which is in strong unpolished condition. The dished bezel has the polished finish with the classic brushing to the top of the lugs. The crown tube and crown are prominent on this model with the large ‘Oyster Patent’ screw down crown. It has the classic Oyster screw back with the coin edge design and engraved serial number. It has a very interesting period, heraldic style engraving of a lion Sejeant with the latin phrase “E Fortibus Fortis”.
Inside it has the Robert Meylan logo and is signed ‘Oyster Watch Co’ with the various patents. The movement is a 15 jewel manual wind movement produced by Rebberg for Rolex, which has been recently serviced.
This is a collectable reference with the flat back case design, big Oyster patent crown and the ‘FORBES’ co-signed dial. Add to this the fascinating period heraldic engraving with Latin motto and we have a very interesting piece.
The silver dial has darkened with age. It is design with the railroad minute track around the exterior with the bold, black arabic numerals. The sub-second dial is inset with the neat railroad tracking and alternating arabic numerals and dashes which create a segmented layout. It is signed ‘Rolex Oyster Royal’ with the ‘FORBES’ co-signing above the sub-second register. The FORBES signing is most likely a retail/jeweller but unfortunately, we have not been able to trace them, so the location remains a mystery.
It is signed Fab. Suisse with ‘Swiss made’ below. The thermally blued hour and minute hand are of stick style with the thin minute hand which was commonplace on the Oysters of the period. The sub-second hand is of lollipop design with no counterbalance which is a clean look.
This reference has the compact Oyster case, measuring 30.25mm wide, with the big crown taking this to just under 34.5mm wide. It has the short lug-to-lug length of 35.5mm with the ‘flat back’ design.
The lack of a case reference number is an early anomaly of the time. Signing between the lugs began slightly later and Rolex’s signing during the period was inconsistent. This means there is only a serial number to the rear which dates it to 1939. The case is like the reference 2765 and the 2280.
It has the dished polished bezel which surrounds the dial. The top of the case is sloped with the brushed finishing to the top of the lugs. To the right is the large ‘Oyster patent’ crown which screws down well. This adds to the impact of the watch despite the smaller case diameter. It has the drilled lug holes to one side for ease of spring bar removal. The rear of the case is flat, with the classic coin edge screw back. The serial number is clear and defined to the base, whilst there is a period, engraved Heraldic Lion Sejeant, with the Latin phrase “E Fortibus Fortis”.
This has been translated by a Latin teacher we know states “Made out of strong things, Strong watch”. ‘E Fortibus’ meaning - Out of or from strong things and ‘Fortis’ meaning – Strong. This is a very interesting engraving from the period which demonstrates the strength of the Oyster design and how it was perceived at the time.
Inside the case is signed ‘Oyster Watch Co’, with the list of patents across the world. It is marked with the Rolex ‘SAR’ logo and the logo of Robert Meylan who was a trusted Swiss case maker for Stainless Steel Rolex cases in the 1930s whilst production was growing. The Parachute RM trademark was registered on the 29th June 1934 and the business was dissolved in June of 1940, with the patents sold to Montres Rolex S.A.
The movement is a Rolex 15 jewel calibre, which was produced by Rebberg. It is manual wind, with the sub-second register. It has a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a 38-hour power reserve. It has been recently serviced and is keeping time to within -30 seconds a day, with a strong amplitude of 310 degrees and a beat error of 1.7m/s.
The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is original and has darkened silver tone with age. It has areas of dirtier deposits with visible marks. The signing is good and clear with no obvious wear.
Hands:
The hour, minute and sub-second hands are original and are in good condition with the bright thermally blued finish.
Glass:
The crystal is a modern replacement which is in good condition.
Crown:
The crown is original and is in good condition. It screws down and has a sharp coin edge. It is signed Oyster Patent.
Case:
The case is formed of Stainless Steel and is in unpolished condition. It has light scratching and some nicks associated with age. The drilled lug holes are good and not worn.
Caseback:
The case back is Stainless Steel and is in decent original condition with the clear serial number. It has a period engraving to the rear. The coin edge is well defined but does have some marks. Light scratches to the face.
Strap:
The watch is on a pigskin strap, which is in decent vintage condition.
Movement:
The movement is a Rolex 15 jewel calibre, which was produced by Rebberg. It is manual wind, with the sub-second register. It has a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a 38-hour power reserve.
It has been recently serviced and is keeping time to within -30 seconds a day, with a strong amplitude of 310 degrees and a beat error of 1.7m/s.
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 30.25mm
Case width with crown: 34.35mm
Case length: 29.25mm
Case length lug to lug: 35.45mm
Case Depth: 10.4mm
Lug width: 17mm