Early Rolex "XL" Niello Cased Fob Watch. c.1920
SOLD
Early Rolex "XL" fob watch with an attractive silver and niello case. Dating from around 1920.
High quality silver & niello case with hinged bezel, back and inner dust cover. Bezel and back engraved with a decorative lattice design and inlaid with niello (black silver alloy). Inside back of case signed, "XL" and stamped with both Swiss and German silver hallmarks. "Nail" hand setting button mounted on edge of case at the 1 o'clock position. Case diameter : 31.5mm. Case condition : 95% (no damage to niello).
White enamel double sunk dial with
subsidiary seconds. Black numerals. Ornate gilt hands. Dial condition : 100%
Nice quality, gilt, 15 jewel Rolex "Rebberg" * movement (unsigned).
Movement condition (appearance) : 95%. Recently serviced. Time keeping : good.
"XL" was a brand name used by Rolex for some of their early watches - refer to George Gordon's book, "Rolex - Timeless Elegance".
* Rebberg were movements manufactured by Aegler's ebauche factory in Rebberg, Bienne, Switzerland. It supplied Rolex with watch movements since Wilsdorf & Davis (Rolex) began trading in 1905. In 1919, Aegler joined forces with Rolex and from then on the company was known as "Aegler S.A. Rolex Watch Co.".