Antique Rolex & Vintage Watches
Shop
7 timepieces for sale
Workshop · Est. 14 Years
Pocket Watch
Pocket Watch
Conversion
We are the only workshop in the world converting antique pocket watches into wristwatches — trusted by collectors across the United States for over fourteen years. Every hallmark, guilloche and original detail is preserved exactly as the maker intended.
We source authentic pocket watches from the great Swiss and American makers and restore each one completely before shipping to collectors across the United States. Every hallmark, dial and movement is preserved exactly as the maker intended.
Every watch goes through a full restoration before it leaves our workshop: movement overhaul, case polishing, dent correction, and replacement of any worn parts — crowns, winding stems and more — all made to original specification.
Then comes the conversion. We developed a precision four-lug construction welded directly to the original case, so the finished watch looks exactly as it might have left the factory a century ago. No wire lugs, no clip-on attachments, no compromise.
A family heirloom deserves to be worn, not kept in a drawer.
14
Years in business
Any type
Key-wind, hunter, open-face
Worldwide
Delivery & sourcing
0 lost
Authenticity always preserved
Conversion Prices
| Open Face | Hunter / Half-Hunter | Keywind | Trench Extender | Trench Restoration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $950 | $1,100 | $1,300 | $1,100 | $600 | |
| Silver | $1,100 | $1,300 | $1,500 | $1,200 | $700 |
| Gold | $1,600 | $1,800 | $2,000 | $1,700 | $1,000 |
| Type | Silver | Gold | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Face | $950 | $1,100 | $1,600 |
| Hunter / Half-Hunter | $1,100 | $1,300 | $1,800 |
| Keywind | $1,300 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| Trench Extender | $1,100 | $1,200 | $1,700 |
| Trench Restoration | $600 | $700 | $1,000 |
- Prices include mirror finishing. Dent correction +10–20%, chrome removal +10%, rhodium/gold plating +10%.
- Cases with missing lids, bezels, broken hinges, or holes are quoted separately. Movement servicing and engraving available on request.
Who We Are
watch@antiquewrist.com
About AntiqueWrist
It started with cufflinks — small things, made by hand. Then came a book about Rolex, and everything changed. The history, the craft, a mechanical object carrying a century of stories inside a case no bigger than a coin.
The first conversion was a Benson, and it was rough work — uneven lugs, the technique barely figured out. We sold it and started over. Browse the sold archive and you can watch the craft evolve: cleaner lugs, tighter cases, closer each time to what we had in mind. A Vacheron Constantin chronograph somewhere in the middle made clear what this work was really about.
Today a small group of enthusiasts carries this forward. Watches that have spent decades in drawers leave our workshop running, polished, and ready to wear — looking exactly as they did the day they left the factory.
Most of our collectors are in the United States. Dealers, estate specialists, and watch communities are welcome to reach out.
Free identification
Check Your Watch
Not sure what you have?
Send us photos of the dial, case back, and movement if accessible. We'll give you an honest read on what it is, its era, and approximate value.
No charge. No obligation.
Research ToolsWorld Hallmarks Brands & Names English Hallmarks Other Hallmarks Case Makers Pocket Watch Database
What to Watch Out For
Marriage movements — original movement in a foreign case. Hallmarks on case and movement will not match.
Case alterations — hunter cases drilled open, hallmarks on the inside cover partially or fully cut away.
Cheap replacement cases — loose fit, often with an adapter ring. Uneven patina from poor repairs.
Artificial patina — chemical ageing. Look for uneven coloration and inconsistent wear across the case.
Repainted dials — seconds subdial shifts to 9 o'clock instead of 6.
Some replacements are laser-engraved metal or printed paper glued onto the original.
Certificates & Warranty
Every watch leaves our workshop with a signed Certificate of Authenticity — hallmarks, movement, dial, and any known defects are documented. No guesswork.
Included with your watch
- Certificate of Authenticity — signed document with full description: case, movement, dial, crystal.
- 1-Year Warranty — if the movement stops under normal use, we service it at no charge.
- PayPal Buyer Protection — 180-day purchase protection on all transactions.
Shipping
- Standard post — $35 · about 14 days to the US
- UPS / DHL — $90, faster and tracked
Returns
- 14 days from delivery. Full refund when we receive the watch.
- Return shipping is paid by the buyer.
Questions & Answers
FAQ
We have been selling antique Rolex watches for over 15 years and have built our own database of movements, dials, and cases. Unfortunately, Rolex does not maintain such a database itself, and it is not possible to obtain any authenticity confirmation directly from the company.
Yes, we provide our own certificate of authenticity with every watch we sell. We can also certify a watch that you already own.
Our watches date from 1905 to 1945. Most of them come without original papers.
You can find some calibre references on this TimeZone forum thread. Unfortunately, Rolex does not maintain its own movements calibre database.
Unfortunately, as we specialize in watches from 1905 to 1945, most of them no longer have their original papers.
No, certificates and guarantees are included with every purchase at no additional cost.
We mostly acquire our watches at UK local auctions and through platforms such as eBay, Etsy, and Bonhams.
Yes, we can provide additional photos upon request. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or requests you may have.
Yes, case restoration is part of our full-service process. We polish cases and address general wear. For pocket watch conversions, we weld four lugs directly onto the original case — a proprietary technique that gives the result a factory-made appearance.
Yes, we can modify your watch to fit a different lug form. Please send us your CAD drawings and we will do our best to create a precise fit. Pricing depends on the scope of work and starts at $500.
Having worked with antique Rolex watches for over 15 years, we have accumulated a large stock of movements, cases, gears, balance staffs, hairsprings, and other components — both slightly used and new-old stock. We always prioritize period-correct original parts.
Each watch comes with new-old-stock (NOS) crystal, a high-quality genuine leather strap, and is fully serviced and ready to wear. We provide a one-year guarantee on the movement.
If you plan to wear the watch daily, we recommend replacing the original mineral crystal with a plastic one — plastic is far more resistant to breaking. If you purchase any watch from us, we will do this for you at no extra charge.
Turnaround time is typically 1–2 months, depending on the scope of work required. Each watch receives the attention and precision it deserves, so the timeframe may vary slightly based on the complexity of the job.
We recommend servicing the movement once a year. Do not entrust it to just any watch repair shop — choose an experienced, certified vintage watchmaker. If you cannot find a suitable one, you are welcome to send the watch to us for servicing.
The best tool for this is a dedicated case opener knife, available on eBay for around $5. A thin screwdriver can also work, but be very careful not to scratch the case. That said, if you have no prior experience, it is best not to attempt it yourself — consult a vintage watchmaker instead.
Press the pin with your fingernail perpendicular to the case. If needed, we can send you a close-up photo and video demonstration of the process.
Yes, we recommend having the watch serviced by a qualified watchmaker after a flight, as the movement may need timing adjustment. Either way, periodic servicing will be needed over time.
Most watches have a power reserve of 36–48 hours and should be wound daily, unless it is an 8-day model, which only needs winding once a week. Wind approximately 20 turns until the spring becomes tight — this protects the movement from over-winding.
Gently pull the crown out to set the hands. Do not pull too hard, as this can damage the winding stem. If the crown does not pull out, try twisting it in the opposite direction first, then pull again with normal effort.
The movements do not feature a modern anti-shock system. However, antique watch cases are very thin, and this actually works in their favor — upon impact, the case absorbs energy by denting slightly, which protects the movement more effectively than a heavy solid modern case would.
Occasionally you may want to polish the case using a soft cloth and a small amount of polishing paste.
Do not attempt to fix it yourself. Only a professional vintage watchmaker should handle repairs in such cases.
Please contact us before attempting any work on the watch.
No, antique watches are not waterproof.
We accept PayPal, which comes with a 180-day money-back guarantee and full buyer protection.
Yes, a deposit of 10% of the watch price will reserve it for you. Once we receive the deposit, we will take the watch off sale for two weeks while you complete payment.