Watches can bear the marks of history, serving as tangible connections to significant events. Recently, I spoke with Oliver Mann, a 20-year-old Australian replica watch enthusiast who stumbled upon a World War II Rolex that participated in one of the war’s pivotal battles.
Oliver’s fascination with watches began at age 13 when his father set aside funds for him to explore the hobby. Shortly after his birthday, he used that money to buy a box of vintage watches in Queensland. “I remember clearing out that fund in a week,” he said. “Inside were vintage Omega and JLC watches. My first new watch was a Seiko SKX007, which I traded for a broken Omega pocket watch. I still miss that Seiko.”
Now a history major at university, Oliver has combined his passion for watches with his love of history. This year, a chance encounter with a Gumtree advertisement caught his attention: “Rolex watch not working.” Intrigued, he clicked on the listing featuring two blurry photos of a Rolex that supposedly belonged to one of the “Rats of Tobruk.” “I thought, why not take a risk?” he recalled.
The Rats of Tobruk
The Rats of Tobruk were Australian soldiers who held the Libyan port against Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps during the Siege of Tobruk from April to December 1941. This engagement is one of the most significant moments in Australian military history, making the potential authenticity of the watch even more exciting for Oliver.
After purchasing the box, which also contained old tools and a couple of magnifying glasses, Oliver discovered the watch had been stored away since the late 1940s. “I thought it would be nice to have it all as a collection,” he said. It turned out the original owner was listed on the Rats of Tobruk registry, confirming the watch’s historical significance.
A Historical Search
The watch bore an inscription: “Sgt. E.N. Prince” with a date of “21.10.40.” Upon receiving it, Oliver treated the watch as a historical artifact and delved into research. “I accessed Australian archives and discovered that this watch was involved in battles against General Rommel,” he explained.
Recent digitization efforts by the Australian War Memorial provided insight into Sergeant Eric Prince, who served in the 2/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment. The date on the watch aligns with when he completed NCO training, suggesting it was a gift or purchase to commemorate his promotion.
Sergeant Prince’s service records reveal he fought in the battles of Tobruk and El Alamein and was wounded during these engagements. He later served in Papua New Guinea, participating in fierce conflicts in Buna and Port Moresby.
According to Oliver, Prince earned nine medals for his service, including the Long Service Medal and the Africa Star. “I was amazed to find a photo of him in combat with this exact replica watch,” he shared.
Oliver later discovered that Sergeant Prince was featured in a Wikipedia image firing an anti-tank gun in North Africa. “I realized it was him while researching,” he said. “He volunteered for dangerous assignments, and his bravery is evident.”
In that historical image, the watch is clearly visible on Sergeant Prince’s wrist. “It’s incredible to think about what this watch has witnessed,” Oliver reflected. “It played a role in one of the most significant battles in Australian history.”