They differ from Swiss marketed Rolexs in that they used a Rolex modified ebauche movement made by Fontmelon, their caliber FF30 subsequently renamed the Rolex caliber 59. The movements were stamped Rolex Geneve on the top plate and were not engraved or stamped Rolex on the bridge. On some variations of the movement, the bridges were engraved with the name Oyster Watch Ltd.
The Rolex Canadian Oysters used a Rolex Oyster watch case with a Rolex Oyster Patent crown.
The various models marketed included names such as Oyster Centregraph, Oyster Lipton, Oyster Junior Sport, Oyster Raleigh, Oyster Commander, Oyster Recorda, Oyster Edison, Oyster Grenfell, Oyster Standard and Oyster Shipmate. These watches were most frequently sold in gold-filled and stainless steel Oyster cases.
These watches are frequently seen with 24-hour military dials and as such, many were given as gifts to soldiers departing for active service in Europe during World War 2. Many of the watches returning to Canada came back with the servicemans registration numbers engraved on the rear of the case back.
Another variation of the Canadian Oysters were Rolex models sold by the famous former Canadian icon department store Eatons. The watches were renamed, as Solar Aquas or King of Wings and the name Rolex or Oyster were never visible on the watch dials. Eatons also has a particular arrangement with Rolex which allowed them to provide as long service awards, a Rolex watch that only had the words:
1/4 C E N T U R Y C L U B
spelled out on the dial, which was simply signed Eaton's. There was no mention of Rolex or Rolex Oyster on the dial's of the Eaton's 1/4 Century Rolex watches. Some of these watches were manual wind Rolex Oyster or automatic Oyster Perpetual models. Earlier watches given out in the 30's through to the 1950's, were famed Rolex Prince models. Women were given a unique Rolex model as their 1/4 Century watch.
The other variation of the Canadian Oyster isnt actually Canadian, but American. The American retailer Zell Brothers sold Canadian Oysters under their store name Zell Brothers and the model name Turtle Timer, These watches usually had the movements marked Oyster Watch Ltd. And are highly sought after today.
Vintage Rolex Oyster Raleigh Canadian model.
ReplyDeleteA vintage Rolex model produced only for the Canadian market.
The Oyster Raleigh was one of the most popular in the series of Canadian Oysters. The operation of the then independent Canadian Rolex Company, defied explanation with respect to product naming as it has been suggested that employees were given the task of naming some models issued by the company and many were named after local figures or places. One such example was the Oyster Grenfell, which reportedly arose after a trip to the East coast of Canada in honour of a local doctor .
The solid stainless steel case is signed with the reference number 3478. The watch is fitted with the original Oyster patent crown which still screws down tightly to the case tube . The case is in good original condition and has a very unusual flat bezel ring. There are some shallow scratches on the case that are not distracting and add to the vintage character of this fine watch.
The main attraction of the watch is the 24 hour dial signed Oyster Raleigh, which has an even patina.
The watch is fitted with the Rolex contract calibre 59 movement which was just serviced and is keeping great time. The calibre 59 movement was stamped Rolex Geneve on the top plate of the movement as seen here.
The watch measures 29 mm wide by 36 mm long and is supplied on you choice of black or brown leather straps.
Rolex Oyster Regent watch
ReplyDeleteThis cushion cased vintage Rolex Oyster Regent is only the 3rd such Rolex Oyster I have owned in the many years I have been collecting watches.
The gold filled Oyster case has been detailed and is in excellent condition. The crown is a new old stock model and screws down tight to the case tube. The case back carries a reference of 4270.
The dial is an all-original Rolex Oyster Regent model which is quite a scarce model with a red 24 hour military chapter ring inside the hour markers of the dial. The dial has a light and even patina, which gives the whole watch a magnificent vintage appearance.
The watch is fitted with the Rolex contract movement caliber 59 which is signed Rolex Geneve on the top plate. These were distributed and sold through Rolex Canada from the 1930s through the 1950s.
The case measures 28 mm wide (excluding crown) by 35 mm long. The watch can be supplied on a black or brown leather strap.
These watches are valued as high as $2095.00.
Vintage Rolex Oyster Neptune, rare model
ReplyDeleteThis vintage Canadian market Rolex is perhaps the rarest Oyster I have come across. I have owned Corvette models, Hurricanes, Pioneers, Grenfells, Lincolns and others that were scarce, but this is only the second Neptune I have owned.
This watch has the unmistakable Rolex minute chapter and dial configuration as the other Canadian Oysters of the 1930's and 1940's. The difference being that neither the word Oyster or Rolex appear on the fabulous rose colored dial.
The steel Oyster case is signed Oyster Watch Company and carries the reference number 3478 with a serial number dating it to 1937. Please note the original Oyster Patent crown, which screws down tightly to the tube.
The 17 jewel manual wind movement fitted in the watch is the same non shock resisting calibre 59 movement found in all the other Canadian Oysters of the period, however this one is signed Oyster Watch Ltd on one of the rear plates of the movement. This is fairly rare and makes the watch more sought after by collectors.
The case measures 29 mm wide by 35 mm long and is supplied on a wonderful burgundy leather strap.
These watches are valued as high as $2195.00
In essence, you should look at the following features before deciding on purchasing the right watch winder for your automatic watches: Montre Versace
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