In 1939, Germany forced Great Britain’s hand with their invasion of Poland and set off the largest war of the 20th century. At the time, Great Britain possessed the largest navy in the world. By the early 1940s, this beautifully preserved Rolex served on the high seas as a British naval deck pocket watch.

As a piece of British military equipment, this watch bears the distinctive mark of the British Admiralty. This marking, known as the “broad arrow” or “crow’s feet” and the letter B indicating it was British equipment rather than Australian or Canadian—an important distinction for discerning collectors because the broad arrow was in use throughout the British Commonwealth. For example, the Canadian equipment marked with the broad arrow featured the letter C beneath the broad arrow marking.

This Rolex is a rare watch from a defining moment in history. The legacy of this timepiece can make for a great investigative undertaking to determine the sort of naval action this watch may have participated in, during its service in the British Navy. Did it see action in the stormy seas of the North Atlantic? Or maybe aboard a submarine in the South Pacific? The journey and the story of this watch are worthy of a closer look. Meanwhile, its clearly defined attachment to the World’s Finest Hour makes it an incredible piece of horological history.

This watch is perfect for any military or World War II memorabilia collection, its horological value makes it a rare and important timepiece for collectors. Perfect for everyday carry or display in the office or on the mantelpiece.