Notes: This Marconi is typical of the early 1930-40s art deco type dial.

Mechanism: The Hunter 10 1/2 Superbalance was introduced in 1935 with Swiss patent 188077. This new model replaced the earlier Hunter 10 1/2's which were graded according to their timekeeping accuracy. The new series was only manufactured at a single quality point. Superbalance movements from the perios 1935 - 1945 were occasionally made with 16, 17 and even 18 jewels. In certain cases the endstones are enhanced with screwed chatons. In very rare cases, sapphires are used in place of rubies. The appearance of the text "Patented Superbalance" on the mechanism is the best indication that you are looking at a Superbalance and not a basic Hunter 10 1/2. However, to confuse things, the Superbalances are labeled 10 1/2" H.

Family Notes: The Marconi line was launched in the 1920. Hans Wilsdorf patented the Marconi name in 1911, even before the Rolex one, which he already had up and running as a company in 1908. The first ones were little more than converted small pocket watches adapted for the wrist. Most of the proper Marconi wrist watches were gold filled or silver and used the 15 jewel Prima movement. Only the very best movements that Rolex could manufacture were utilized for the Marconi line. Rolex did not place the Marconi name on standard Rolex models but actually on the most expensive watches. The majority of these Marconi watches were sold through a very small group of Fine London Jewelers whose customers could afford the high prices. In addition, Rolex made signature Marconi models for other unique World Renown Fine Jewelry and Watch Dealers such as Quervo Y Sobrinos Habana in Cuba.

The Marconi name comes from Gugliemo Marconi. In 1901 Gugliemo Marconi successfully demonstrated the first use of radio waves as a means of communication. In 1909, Marconi was awarded the Nobel prize for physics and his business had become a great commercial success. Radio communication was ” state of art technology” and this was very exciting to the general public. Hans Wilsdorf believed that by registering the name MARCONI for Rolex watches he would immediately associate his ground breaking watch technology and engineering with the ground braking innovation and progress of of MARCONI’ radio Waves. The Rolex Marconi was thus born and production took off in the 1920’s.

Earlier Marconis are typically square, whereas later models were more commonly round.