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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face military pocket watch

Rolex British Army General Service Mark II Military Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open face military pocket watch by Rolex is dated by the seller to circa 1940 and designated by the British Army as General Service Mark II. The watch features a 49 mm white metal case with a screw-off back and bezel. According to the seller, the case back is engraved with the broad arrow, 'G.S. Mk II', and serial 'A 9975'. The black enamel dial exhibits luminous Arabic numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, and is signed 'ROLEX A 9975'. Internally, the seller reports a 15-jewel nickel bridge movement numbered 392 with a lever escapement, stem wound and set.

Dial and front view of Rolex General Service Mark II military pocket watch serial A 9975
Dial and front view of Rolex General Service Mark II military pocket watch serial A 9975 — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face military pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Rolex
Reference
G.S. Mk II
Catalogue / lot identifier
WS111 (AB-147396)
Source-reported date
c1940
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
A 9975

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Visual Characteristics and Dial Display

The open-face pocket watch features a black dial configuration framed by a white metal case, fitted with a ribbed, brass-toned winding crown and an adjoining circular bow. The dial displays skeletonised Arabic numerals filled with aged luminous compound, along with an auxiliary seconds track situated at the 6 o'clock position. It is signed 'ROLEX A 9975' below 12 o'clock and marked 'SWISS MADE' split across the bottom margin.

Under a synthetic crystal, visible surface wear includes fine surface hairlines and paint wear on the dial face, alongside noticeable aging, deterioration, and loss to the luminous material on the markers and hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “Black dial with skeletonised Arabic numerals filled with aged luminous compound”
  • “Auxiliary seconds track positioned at 6 o'clock”
  • “White metal open-face case fitted with a ribbed, brass-toned winding crown and circular bow”
  • “Dial inscribed 'ROLEX A 9975' below 12 o'clock and 'SWISS MADE' split across the bottom margin”
  • “Fine surface hairline and paint wear visible on the dial face under a synthetic crystal”

Case Construction and Military Markings

According to the seller, the watch is housed in an open-face white metal case measuring 49mm across by 16mm deep, constructed with a screw-off back and bezel and finished with a smooth, plain surface. The dealer reports that the exterior of the rear cover is engraved with the British government broad arrow mark and 'A 9975, G.S. Mk II', indicating British Army designation under the grade 'General Service Mark II'.

The inside of the back cover is reported by the seller to be signed 'Rolex, 31 Records, Universels, Geneve, Suisse'. However, these internal and external case markings are documented exclusively in seller text and are not verified in the single front-facing photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch measures 49mm x 16mm deep”
  • “Case – the movement comes in a white metal open face case, which has a screw off back and bezel.”
  • “The case has a smooth plain finish and is in 85% mint condition – some wear but overall a good example for a military pocket watch”
  • “The back of the back cover is engraved “A 9975, G.S. Mk II” and with the broad arrow, British government mark.”
  • “The case is signed “Rolex, 31 Records, Universels, Geneve, Suisse” on the the inside of the back cover.”

Reported Movement and Operating Mechanism

The internal mechanism is reported by the seller to be a stem-wound and stem-set nickel bridge movement fitted with a lever escapement. The listing states the movement is signed 'Rolex, 15J Swiss Made, 392'.

As the watch is only pictured from the dial side, the movement configuration, caliber identity, and mechanical state cannot be verified from the image. The listing dates the watch broadly to the 'Mid 20th Century' and circa 1940.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement – the nickel bridge movement has a lever escapement and is signed “Rolex, 15J Swiss Made, 392””
  • “The watch is stem wound / stem set”
  • “Period Mid 20th Century”
  • “Genuine ROLEX WW2 military pocket watch c1940”

Open research questions

  • What base caliber or ebauche corresponds to the seller-reported movement number '392' in Rolex military pocket watches?
  • Can direct physical examination verify the seller-reported case back engravings ('A 9975, G.S. Mk II', broad arrow) and movement signatures?
  • What specific alloy comprises the 'white metal' case (e.g., nickel brass or solid nickel)?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rolex British Army General Service Mark II Military Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Military DesignationGeneral Service Mark II“given the grade “General Service Mark II””
Case Back EngravingA 9975, G.S. Mk II and broad arrow“The back of the back cover is engraved “A 9975, G.S. Mk II” and with the broad arrow, British government mark.”
Movement InscriptionRolex, 15J Swiss Made, 392“signed “Rolex, 15J Swiss Made, 392””
Dial InscriptionRolex, A 9975“signed “Rolex, A 9975””
Dimensions49mm x 16mm deep“The watch measures 49mm x 16mm deep”
EscapementLever escapement“the nickel bridge movement has a lever escapement”
Inner Case Back InscriptionRolex, 31 Records, Universels, Geneve, Suisse“The case is signed “Rolex, 31 Records, Universels, Geneve, Suisse” on the the inside of the back cover.”
Accompanying AccessoryMetal chain“The watch comes with a metal chain”

Visible details

  • Black dial with skeletonised Arabic numerals filled with aged luminous compound
  • Auxiliary seconds track positioned at 6 o'clock
  • White metal open-face case fitted with a ribbed, brass-toned winding crown and circular bow
  • Dial inscribed 'ROLEX A 9975' below 12 o'clock and 'SWISS MADE' split across the bottom margin
  • Fine surface hairline and paint wear visible on the dial face under a synthetic crystal

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement and inner/outer case back markings are described by the seller and not verified in the photograph.
  • Luminous compound displays noticeable deterioration, aging, and loss.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Genuine ROLEX WW2 military pocket watch c1940 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record b0ea74ffad

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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