Prima - 322616 - 1900-1949

. The Garantie-Certificate (The hard evidence)

The certificate tie this specific document incontrovertibly to your watch:
• The serial number matches exactly: At the bottom of the certificate the handwritten No. 322616 appears. This is exactly the same number stamped in the golden case.
• Exact date: The watch was purchased on March 27, 1935.
• The Jeweller: It was sold by A.D. Overstrijd, a well-known watchmaker at the time, located at Hoogstraat 223 in Rotterdam.
• Description: It is officially described as a "Golden Gentlemen's watch with two years movement warranty." At the top the name of the owner is handwritten with the pen: J.C. de Rooij.

2. The Inscription (The personal story)

The engraving on the inner lid (the cuvette) shows that this watch was a special anniversary or farewell gift:
• Text: "From the NV Vereenigde Brandstoffenhandel to J.C. de Rooij. 1910 - 1 April - 1935."
• Meaning: Mr. J.C. de Rooij celebrated on April 1, 1935 his 25-year work anniversary (or retired after 25 years) at the NV Vereenigde Brandstoffenhandel. The company thus bought the watch a few days before the anniversary (on March 27) from the Rotterdam jeweler Overstrijd.

3. The Movement & Instructions

• The Movement: The photo shows a high-quality, typically Swiss mechanical movement from the 1930s with rubies (jewels) as bearings. It looks visually clean and well-preserved. The letters F / S (Fast/Slow) and A / R (Avance/Retard) on the regulator are meant to set the watch to the correct rate when it is fast or slow.
• The Instructions: The accompanying letter poetically explains how complex a timepiece is (the balance wheel makes 18,000 beats per hour, which corresponds to a distance of 26 kilometers per day!). There are important maintenance tips:
• Wind every morning for the best timekeeping.
• Never place on a cold surface (such as marble) after wear; the sudden temperature shock can cause the mainspring to break.
• Have it serviced every 3 years because the lubricating oil dries out, causing wear.

Conclusion

You hold here a beautifully documented piece of Dutch history. That the watch, the original box/papers, the warranty and the personal inscription are still so complete after more than 90 years is very rare and greatly increases the historical and emotional value of this heirloom."