The "Prisoner of War Watch" among Rolexes

　　Introduction: There is much to be said about vintage Rolexes, and the stories behind those vintage watches or their owners are precisely the charm of vintage timepieces. Today we tell you about a Rolex3525and the legendary story behind it.

   Rolex3525

　　described hereRolex3525The chronograph dates back to the last century.40era, featuring anti-magnetic properties. Model3525The watch is a famous prisoner-of-war watch(Prisoner Of War watch), during the Second World War, Rolex had already gained a considerable reputation, with Royal Air Force pilots purchasing Rolex watches to replace timepieces that lacked sufficient precision. However, when they were captured and sent to prisoner-of-war camps, their watches were all confiscated. There were many watch brands at the time, but Rolex was one of the most well-known, and Rolex3525chronographs were precisely the highly renowned, robust, and durable watches.3525Equipped internally with the famousValjoux23chronograph movement and featuring a radium luminescence dial, it was a popular small luxury item and practical tool. What is interesting about the watch we are discussing today is that it belonged to a Royal Air Force officer who was once a prisoner at Stalag Luft III and participated in the famous“Great Escape”operation.

　　John Francis Williams, everyone who knew him called himJack，1942In the year, the plane he was piloting was shot down during an air raid in France, and after being captured, he was interned at Stalag Luft III(Stalag Luft III), and he then ordered a chronograph from Rolex. At the time, many Royal Air Force officers had their watches confiscated after being captured, and the German founder of Rolex, Hans·Wilsdorf(Hans Wilsdof)heard about this. He offered to replace the confiscated watches for officers in the prisoner-of-war camps, with no payment required until the end of the war. Some British officers wrote letters to Wilsdorf explaining which camp they were held in and how their Rolex watches had been confiscated. Wilsdorf generously stated that he trusted the British officers completely, and that their word was as reliable as a British bond. As a result, in the Bavarian prisoner-of-war camp in Germany, approximately3000officers ordered Rolex watches. Furthermore, this significantly boosted the morale of the Allied prisoners, as it showed that Wilsdorf did not believe the Nazis could win the war.

　　However, it is clear that the process was not easy,Jackafter placing the order, he only received the third watch sent to him, and this was after his initial order15months later. Rolex demonstrated extraordinary dedication to these customers, with all order follow-ups handled by Hans·Wilsdorf(Hans Wilsdof)'s handwritten signature.1943Year3Month10day,“The Great Escape”(The true story of British pilots escaping from a German prisoner-of-war camp, which was later adapted into a Hollywood film.)the organiser Clive·Nadine(Clive

　　James Nutting)The corporal ordered a stainless steel Rolex from Wilsdorf, with the model numberRolex Oyster 3525 Chronograph(Rolex Oyster355chronograph), with a value equivalent to today's1200pounds. Uniformed staff prepared to use the money earned as a cobbler in the prisoner-of-war camp to pay for the Rolex. In the same year7Month3, a Rolex was sent to the camp, and Wilsdorf also wrote a note to the recipient, implying that an English gentleman like him“did not need at all”to worry about paying for the watch, and everything could be discussed after the war.

　　Although he was not an officer(but merely a corporal), the Rolex Oyster3525chronograph he ordered was more expensive than those of other officers. Most officers in the camp ordered cheaper and more popular smaller Rolex watches. In fact, he ordered this Rolex to time the great escape, using it to calculate the guards' patrol schedule and1944Year3Month24day through“Harry”the time required for the tunnel. In fact, for months after the escape plan was drawn up,600the prisoners dug three escape tunnels, one was useless, one was discovered by German guards, and only“Harry”the tunnel in1944Year3was completed that month. On that moonlit night, they began their operation, crossing the tunnel one by one, hoping that200people would return home through occupied Europe. The escape order was decided by drawing lots,Jackdrew number67, placing in the front100within the name. In the early hours4around o'clock,Jackpassed through the tunnel, unfortunately, shortly after, it was noticed by the guards and the tunnel was closed, eventually only76people escaped, but almost all were recaptured during the subsequent manhunt. Hitler was furious about the escape and ordered the execution ofJackincluding49men, in4Month6number. Before the escape attempt,Jackleft his personal belongings with a British prisoner, who delivered them after the war toJack's family. The watch has remained in their possession ever since,2014years after the event,70years later,Jack's relatives finally brought the watch back to Stalag Luft III and visited the memorial to those brave men.

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