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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face military pocket watch

Rolex GS Mark II Military Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face Rolex military pocket watch features a 49 mm nickel case fitted with a plexiglass crystal and a fluted brass-toned crown at the top bow. The light silver-toned dial displays black Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, a recessed subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, and blued steel hands with aged luminous fill. The manual-wind mechanical movement contains 15 jewels and is noted by the seller to resemble calibre 540 despite marked numbering. The caseback carries historical military markings reading 'A.20624 G.S.MK.II' alongside the British broad arrow.

Oblique front view of the Rolex GS Mark II open-face pocket watch showing the silver dial, handset, crown, and nickel case
Oblique front view of the Rolex GS Mark II open-face pocket watch showing the silver dial, handset, crown, and nickel case — Vintage Watch Specialist. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
vintagewatchspecialist.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face military pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Rolex
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
vws2524cs
Source-reported date
c. 1930s
Country
Not established
Source-reported serial
A.20624

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

Case and External Construction

The watch is housed in a 49 mm nickel case featuring a fluted brass-toned winding crown integrated with a top bow. It is fitted with a plexiglass crystal.

The caseback is engraved with military markings reading 'A.20624 G.S.MK.II' alongside the broad arrow symbol.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case Nickel”
  • “Width 49mm”
  • “Crystal Plexiglass”
  • “The caseback of the watch is engraved with original military markings that read: A.20624 G.S.MK.II along with the military arrow.”

Dial and Hands

The timepiece features a silver-toned dial displaying printed black Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, and a recessed subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. A Rolex coronet and logo are printed below the 12 o'clock marker.

The blued steel hands contain aged luminous material. The source states that original luminous material is present on the dial at the 3, 9, and 12 o'clock positions.

Evidence for this section
  • “Light silver dial surface with fine patina and printed black Rolex coronet and logo below 12 o'clock”
  • “Recessed subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with black Arabic markers”
  • “The original lume is still present on 3, 9 and 12 as well as the blued steel hands”

Movement

The manual-wind mechanical movement has 15 jewels. The seller reports a discrepancy regarding the calibre markings on the movement.

The movement is marked '596', though the seller states it is visually identical to the calibre 540 and has requested information to clarify this marking.

Evidence for this section
  • “Jewels 15”
  • “Winding Manual”
  • “the calibre seems to be marked as a 596, however, when studying and comparing this to other examples of which the majority have a 540 movement, the movement in this watch appears to be exactly the same as the 540”

Open research questions

  • What is the historical significance of the 'A' prefix in the serial number A.20624?
  • Is there documented evidence of a Rolex calibre 596 in military-issued pocket watches?
  • Do British military records confirm the issuance patterns of GS Mark II watches with this specific serial range?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rolex GS Mark II Military Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Military MarkingsA.20624 G.S.MK.II with military arrow“engraved with original military markings that read: A.20624 G.S.MK.II along with the military arrow.”
Case MaterialNickel“Case Nickel”
Case Width49mm“Width 49mm”
Jewel Count15“Jewels 15”
CrystalPlexiglass“Crystal Plexiglass”
WindingManual“Winding Manual”
Estimated Datingc. 1930s“Date of Issue 1930s (Approx)”
Condition7/10“Condition 7/10”

Visible details

  • Fluted brass-toned winding crown positioned inside a metal top bow
  • Recessed subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with black Arabic markers
  • Blued steel handset with luminous material fill in the hour and minute hands
  • Light silver dial surface with fine patina and printed black Rolex coronet and logo below 12 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • The seller notes ambiguity regarding movement calibre markings, stating it is marked 596 but visually identical to calibre 540.
  • Caseback engraving and internal movement are not visible in the provided photograph.

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

Consulted source

Rare Rolex Military Pocket Watch - Silver Dial - Original GS Military – Vintage Watch Specialist

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record e4b5ece412

Terms in this record

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

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