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Lot Essay
Accompanied by historically interesting documentation including: the Rolex guarantee, water-proof guarantee, Bulletin de Marche dated 18 Sept. 1942 and the original invoice dated 30 novembre 1942.
What is most remarkable about the present watch is that it remains accompanied by two letters and envelope signed by Hans Wilsdorf and addressed to Lieut. J. Peter Hewlett at Oflag IX A/Z, a POW camp reserved for officers in Rotenburg/Fulda, in Germany. The first of the letters, dated 21st of Oct. 1942, details Lieutenant Hewlett's order for this watch on July 29th and Wilsdorf's confirmation that he, "must not arrange for any settlement to be made during the war." The second letter, dated 4th of Dec. 1942, explains that the watch had been shipped by insured parcelpost along with the invoice listing the watch as gratis. "Its value in Switzerland is frs. 290,- but as already mentioned, You must not even think of settlement during the war."
During World War II, Rolex instituted a program to send watches to British Prisoners of War (other allied troops were not eligible) not only for promotion but as a gesture of good will. Most officers and soldiers would have had their military-issued watches confiscated for "security measures" at the time of imprisonment. Requests for watches were submitted through the Geneva-based International Red Cross and forwarded to Rolex. Wilsdorf, who personally oversaw this effort, would send a letter accompanying each watch detailing that payment would not be expected until after the war when the recipients were expected to pay the balance in Swiss Francs.
One final note of interest is the stamps that are visible on all of the documentation, "Geprüft 7 Oflag IX A/Z". These stamps detail the inspection of all documents and approval for release to the prisoner, Lieut. Hewlett.
What is most remarkable about the present watch is that it remains accompanied by two letters and envelope signed by Hans Wilsdorf and addressed to Lieut. J. Peter Hewlett at Oflag IX A/Z, a POW camp reserved for officers in Rotenburg/Fulda, in Germany. The first of the letters, dated 21st of Oct. 1942, details Lieutenant Hewlett's order for this watch on July 29th and Wilsdorf's confirmation that he, "must not arrange for any settlement to be made during the war." The second letter, dated 4th of Dec. 1942, explains that the watch had been shipped by insured parcelpost along with the invoice listing the watch as gratis. "Its value in Switzerland is frs. 290,- but as already mentioned, You must not even think of settlement during the war."
During World War II, Rolex instituted a program to send watches to British Prisoners of War (other allied troops were not eligible) not only for promotion but as a gesture of good will. Most officers and soldiers would have had their military-issued watches confiscated for "security measures" at the time of imprisonment. Requests for watches were submitted through the Geneva-based International Red Cross and forwarded to Rolex. Wilsdorf, who personally oversaw this effort, would send a letter accompanying each watch detailing that payment would not be expected until after the war when the recipients were expected to pay the balance in Swiss Francs.
One final note of interest is the stamps that are visible on all of the documentation, "Geprüft 7 Oflag IX A/Z". These stamps detail the inspection of all documents and approval for release to the prisoner, Lieut. Hewlett.