Slow Day at the Office - Rolex Bubbleback

[Don]

So I ran out of work a little early today and was browsing around the watch listings on eBay. I found this gorgeous little Rolex Bubbleback 3130. I couldn't quite make out all the inscription on the back and being bored and being a curious person I spent some time trying to find out who it had belonged to. It turns out that it was owned by  Clarence Vincent Conlan (March 10, 1898 - August 23, 1975). He was a career Navy man who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1921 and won the Navy Cross (the second-highest military honor in the United States). He retired with the rank of Rear Admiral. As noted in the inscription, he was the last commander of the USS Monocacy (PG-20). Now if only I could afford the watch...

Edited June 9, 2016 by Don
typos

[noirrac1j]

1 hour ago, Don said:

So I ran out of work a little early today and was browsing around the watch listings on eBay. I found this gorgeous little Rolex Bubbleback 3130. I couldn't quite make out all the inscription on the back and being bored and being a curious person I spent some time trying to find out who it had belonged to. It turns out that it was owned by  Clarence Vincent Conlan (March 10, 1898 - August 23, 1975). He was a career Navy man who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1921 and won the Navy Cross (the second-highest military honor in the United States). He retired with the rank of Rear Admiral. As noted in the inscription, he was the last commander of the USS Monocacy (PG-20). Now if only I could afford the watch...

You're right, it's a gorgeous watch. But the seller doesn't include any pictures of the movement, nor do they give any information on size. For three thousands bucks, a picture of the movement is an absolute must.

JC

[Geo]

I'm not a fan of modern Rolex, but the early ones, especially bubble backs, are magnificent.  Unlike a lot of folk, I quite like a watch that has been engraved.  There is something nice about knowing it has been such a special part of someone's life.  I would love to own this particular watch.

Joe, the seller has done their best to let you see the workings of the watch without removing the auto-wind mechanism.  It looks in good condition to me, with no chewed screws.  Would I buy it...........you bet I would!

[noirrac1j]

5 hours ago, Geo said:

I'm not a fan of modern Rolex, but the early ones, especially bubble backs, are magnificent.  Unlike a lot of folk, I quite like a watch that has been engraved.  There is something nice about knowing it has been such a special part of someone's life.  I would love to own this particular watch.

Joe, the seller has done their best to let you see the workings of the watch without removing the auto-wind mechanism.  It looks in good condition to me, with no chewed screws.  Would I buy it...........you bet I would!

I'm not a Rolex fan either...but these oldies are so nice an uncluttered. Yes I see now that the caseback HAS been removed. It looks great even with the one screw for the rotor missing. If it were for auction, would I place a bid? Maybe!

JC

[Don]

6 hours ago, Geo said:

I'm not a fan of modern Rolex, but the early ones, especially bubble backs, are magnificent.  Unlike a lot of folk, I quite like a watch that has been engraved.  There is something nice about knowing it has been such a special part of someone's life.  I would love to own this particular watch.

Joe, the seller has done their best to let you see the workings of the watch without removing the auto-wind mechanism.  It looks in good condition to me, with no chewed screws.  Would I buy it...........you bet I would!

I agree about the engraving. I like old watches and even more if there's a history behind them.

[Don]

I also found this yesterday. Radium anyone? Don't lick your paintbrush!

[noirrac1j]

26 minutes ago, Don said:

I also found this yesterday. Radium anyone? Don't lick your paintbrush!

Troubling!  Radium decays into radon and has a half-life of 1600 years....

 

JC

[Don]

If anyone is not familiar with the "Radium Girls", it's an interesting, tragic story...

[RyMoeller]

On June 10, 2016 at 10:15 AM, Don said:

I also found this yesterday. Radium anyone? Don't lick your paintbrush!

Wow.  I wouldn't touch that stuff with a ten foot pole.  Just cleaning old watch hands produces enough anxiety for me.

[RyMoeller]

On June 9, 2016 at 4:36 PM, Don said:

So I ran out of work a little early today and was browsing around the watch listings on eBay. I found this gorgeous little Rolex Bubbleback 3130. I couldn't quite make out all the inscription on the back and being bored and being a curious person I spent some time trying to find out who it had belonged to. It turns out that it was owned by  Clarence Vincent Conlan (March 10, 1898 - August 23, 1975). He was a career Navy man who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1921 and won the Navy Cross (the second-highest military honor in the United States). He retired with the rank of Rear Admiral. As noted in the inscription, he was the last commander of the USS Monocacy (PG-20). Now if only I could afford the watch...

I love watches with personal inscriptions on the back.  I find myself often Googling the person cited to try and learn a little more of their story and that of the timepiece.  I know they aren't popular with collectors but to me it's an added value; I'd rather hold in my hand a watch with history than an unloved piece which lived in a drawer.