Embrace timeless elegance with this vintage 9ct gold ladies Tudor watch from the mid-1960s. Powered by a manual wind movement, this classic timepiece is a testament to Tudor’s renowned craftsmanship. Its pristine white dial is adorned with bold black numerals, featuring a subdial at the 6 o’clock position for an added touch of sophistication. Completing its vintage allure is the iconic Rolex crown on the side, a symbol of quality and prestige. This watch, with its refined 9ct gold case and reliable manual wind, is perfect for collectors and enthusiasts of vintage luxury.
Case:
Material: 9k yellow gold
Dimensions: approximately 23mm diameter (including the crown)
Case Shape: Round with polished edges
Case Back: Snap-on case back, securely fitted and hallmarked
Hallmarks: Swiss hallmarks Side of the case and case back indicating 9k gold, along with Tudor branding
As a gold case maker for Rolex BWC;
British Watch Cases Ltd. (B.W.C.)
Location: 236-240 Pentonville Road, London
British Watch Cases Ltd. (B.W.C.) is a historic British company known for manufacturing watch cases, including gold and silver casings, primarily for Swiss-made movements. The company's sponsor's mark, "B.W.C" (incuse with no surround), was registered at the Edinburgh Assay Office, which assayed and hallmarked the cases, confirming their authenticity and precious metal content.
Hallmark Details:
The hallmark on B.W.C. watch cases includes:
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Decimal Fineness "9": Signifying nine-carat gold.
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Three-towered castle town mark: Used by the Edinburgh Assay Office for items made in Britain.
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Date Letter "A": Representing the hallmarking year between 1931 and 1932. The Assay Office’s hallmarking year ran from October to September of the following year
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History and Origins:
British Watch Cases Ltd. (B.W.C.) is known for supplying high-quality watch cases, including some that were made for Rolex in the past. While B.W.C. primarily manufactured cases for a variety of Swiss and British watch brands, it was involved in producing cases for Rolex in the 1950s and 1960s. Rolex, however, typically produced most of its own watch cases in-house.
That said, B.W.C. cases can sometimes be found in vintage Rolex watches from that era, especially in models like the Rolex Datejust and Rolex Oyster Perpetual. These cases were made to the high standards expected by Rolex, ensuring the robustness and water resistance for which the brand is known.
In particular, B.W.C. provided cases for Rolex models such as:
1Rolex Oyster Perpetual (Early Models)
– B.W.C. provided some of the early Oyster cases before Rolex moved fully into in-house production.
Rolex Datejust– B.W.C. was involved in the production of cases for certain vintage Datejust models.
Rolex Explorer– Some vintage Explorer watches used cases made by B.W.C. during the period of collaboration.
The cases were generally made of stainless steel, offering the same durability and functionality that Rolex required. These vintage models with B.W.C. cases can be collectible, though they are less common today. If you're looking at specific Rolex watches and suspect they might have a B.W.C. case, it's important to authenticate the serial numbers and verify the case's provenance.
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These duties were imposed on imported goods, prompting the creation of domestic manufacturers for gold watch cases designed to house imported Swiss movements.
The first official mention of British Watch Cases Ltd. was in 1937, when the company exhibited at the British Industries Fair. A March 1937 entry in the Horological Journal noted that B.W.C. showcased a comprehensive range of watch cases in various shapes and sizes, made from 9ct and 18ct gold, silver, gold-filled, and chromium. The mention of a 19-inch watch case, however, likely reflects a mix-up with measurements, as 19 inches would be far too large for a watch case. It is more likely that the reference was to 19 lignes, a standard unit of measurement for watch movements.
Notable Associations:
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Marcel A. Leuba: Chairman & Managing Director of British Watch Cases Ltd., as recorded in the Edinburgh Assay Office archives. His name, along with Willy or Welby Leuba, also appears in connection with the company.
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Rene Marchand: Associated with Marchand & Jobin Ltd., who sold watches under the "Majex" brand.
