Curious MilWatch

[Top-Time]

Hi guys,

Hope you can help here.

I know a little bit about the military and a little bit about watches but virtually nothing about military watches.

A mate just brought a military watch for me to look at. It seems to have the standard MoD dial but when he had it serviced the watchie mentioned to him that it had a Rolex movement in it. I had no idea Rolex provided these kind of watches for the MoD.

Also, the case back does not have the usual issued markings but is stamped with 880.

Just curious to know more about this watch and what it all means.

Here’s some Q&D iPhone pics I took.





Thanks,
Ian

[Sinnlover]

Do you had a picture of the movement?
I have never seen an issued watch that looks exactly like that before.
The dial is similar to the O&W watches that took their design influence from the UK MOD Def stan for watches. The lack of issue markings on the case back, the use of spring bars over fixed bars means I think this is homage watch and not an actual issued watch.
With regard to the movement. The only military issued Rolex watches were the well know various models of submariner and the lesser known HS10 Explorer. (Ref 6159) The latter was issued in tiny numbers.

[JasonM]

You’ll have to try to photograph the movement, but that’s not a military watch, no fixed bars for one thing. To be honest it looks like one of those given away with magazines.

[rsykes2000]

I'll have to say that this looks like a parts bin watch, military styled, and will not have a genuine Rolex movement inside. Mildly curious to see what's in it, but it will not be worth any money..

[Chris_in_the_UK]

Rolex movement?

[Carlton-Browne]

To be honest it looks like one of those given away with magazines.

That was my immediate thought.

[canuck]

Rolex movement?

Automatic...

[johnbaz]

You’ll have to try to photograph the movement, but that’s not a military watch, no fixed bars for one thing. To be honest it looks like one of those given away with magazines.

Nah Jason, I've a few of those Eaglemoss and the quality is shocking!!

The OP's watch looks much better!!


John

[Top-Time]

Thanks for the feedback - pretty much confirms what I thought. I now need to find a diplomatic way of telling him...