McTear's Auctioneers: Buying, Selling and Valuing Vintage Rolex Watches

In 1905 Alfred Davis and his brother in law Hans Wilsdorf set up company together as Wilsdorf and Davis in London. Initially they imported Swiss watch movements and made these into wristwatches that were sold to jewellers who put their own names on them. It was in 1908 that Wilsdorf and Davis registered Rolex as a trademark. Rolex was recognised for the quality of their watches early on, receiving a Class A Precision Certificate for one of their watches. This Award was presented to Rolex by the Kew Observatory and marked Rolex as a superior watch brand as the award had only previously been granted exclusively to marine chronometers.

As well as establishing themselves as a manufacturer of superior quality, Rolex are credited with a long list of technological watch innovations. In 1945 they produced the first wristwatch to have a separate date counter, the Rolex Datejust, and in 1953 they produced the Rolex Oyster Prepetual Submariner, the first wrist watch to be waterproof up to 100m. Rolex is now among the best known, well respected and revered watch manufacturers in the world.

The Watches Auction offers a wide selection of timepieces, includign Rolex, to suit all tastes and budgets. The deadline for the next auction is 11th July. To consign or for further information, please email auction@mctears.co.uk or telephone 0141 810 2880.

What's it worth?

Find out what your items are worth by completing our short valuation form - it's free!

Get started

Get the McTear's News!

Sign up for our free newsletters - we'll never pass your details on to third parties. 

Get in touch

Upload images if relevant to your enquiry Add file
Select fileChange Remove