As you might know, Unicorn was the predecessor of Rolex, so Unicorn watches command a certain price. In my opinion, the quality of the movements doesn’t stand out to warrant that, but that’s just my personal opinion.
Some Unicorn watches have a signed dial, but this one doesn’t. But the dial design is quite typical. The case is gold, and  was probably made by someone else, as Unicorn mainly supplied movements.
This one doesn’t work, and there is a good reason for it…
The case is in very good condition, but the movement has a fair amount of rust.
The winding stem got its share of the corrosion.
The bottom plate.
The set lever is pretty rusty.
And so is the plate where it sits.
The click wheel underside. 
The wheel bridge and the barrel are corroded as well.
The mainspring in the barrel.
I start the clean-up and remove all the rust.
After the rust removal, the parts can go into the cleaning machine.
And the movement comes back together.
Ticking again.
The set lever cleaned up nicely.
The dial goes back on.
And the movement is back in its case.
Job done and ticking.
Hi Christian
I have a Unicorn watch that I bought in Jan 1951. It is in perfect running order. It does not lose or gain time. I am 80 years of age. It still has the stainless steel original band.
Kind regards — Bill Painter
Hi I have an unicorn watch from about the 1920s with 24 tested diamonds around it. What would it be worth thanks Lin
Hi Lin,
I’m afraid I don’t do valuations. Best look at completed eBay auctions for similar watches.
Best regards,
Christian
Question from an innocent buyer: I purchased a watch that has Unicorn on the face, but the insides do not have any markings and as your picture of Unicorn shows, the wheel has no engraving unicorn, 15 jewel, swiss made, or rwc anywhere. How do I figure out if this watch is worth anything?
My understanding is Unicorn was a Rolex company subsidiary, but this watch clearly is from the 50’s or even more recent.
Hi Ellen,
Unicorn was the company that later became Rolex. Their movements aren’t really outstanding or anything, but pretty normal stuff for their time. People just think they have a higher value because of the Rolex connection. The ones I have seen so far were pretty worn out and performed badly.
If you send me a photo (you can find my email address under the “Contact” link at the top) of the movement, I can try to identify it.
Best regards,
Christian
Nice job ! Very rusty :-S
What kind of incabloc is it on the balance wheel ?
There is no shock protection on this movement.
Best regards,
Christian
Nice looking thing – family heirloom no doubt 😉
How do you de-rust something so insubstantial as a setting lever? Phosphoric acid and then just clean in the machine as normal?
I start off with a fibreglass brush. If that doesn’t get rid of all the rust, I soak the part in citric acid, and then it goes through the watch cleaner with the rest of the parts.
You squeeze a Lemon, or you can buy citric acid? 🙂
You can buy the stuff on eBay.
You can also buy it as soluble tablets from chemists… or if you say you are an heroin user they give you them free. I am told 😉