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← Older revision		Revision as of 09:49, 17 October 2026
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	<small>'''~~Ref.~~ 1381'''</small>		<small>Early Rolex wristwatches → '''1381'''</small>

	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
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	File:Ref 1381 case profile.webp\|Toovey’s, lot 1165: stepped case profile		File:Ref 1381 case profile.webp\|Toovey’s, lot 1165: stepped case profile
	</gallery>		</gallery>

			[[Category:Other]]

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

Admin: Add researched Rolex ref. 1381 article

2026-10-17T09:48:00Z

Add researched Rolex ref. 1381 article

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 1381}}
{{#seo:
|title=Rolex 1381 — Early Rectangular Wristwatch
|description=Rolex ref. 1381: three catalogue descriptions dated to 1930, Prima and Extra Prima movements, and documented case and dial differences.
|keywords=Rolex, reference 1381, rectangular watch, Prima, Extra Prima
|type=Article
|og_type=article
|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
|image=Ref 1381 hero.webp
|image_alt=Rectangular gold Rolex ref. 1381 with a silvered Arabic dial and stepped case
}}

<small>'''Ref. 1381'''</small>

<div class="rp-lead">
[[File:Ref 1381 hero.webp|thumb|center|640px|alt=Rectangular gold Rolex ref. 1381 with silvered Arabic dial and stepped case|Rolex ref. 1381, Toovey’s, lot 1165, 15 October 2026]]
</div>

Three catalogue records describe rectangular, manual-wind Rolex watches as ref. 1381. Christie's dates two examples to 1930; its case 69217 and Toovey's example also carry Glasgow import marks dated that year. The records document more than one case and dial configuration, but give no production span or settled family name.

==Core facts==

{| class="wikitable rp-facts"
|-
! Detail
! Documented record
|-
| Reference
| 1381, identified in Christie's and Toovey's catalogues
|-
| Type
| Rectangular, manual-wind wristwatch
|-
| Documented dates
| Two catalogue dates and two sets of Glasgow import marks refer to 1930; production span unknown
|-
| Case materials
| 18ct gold; one Christie's lot describes yellow gold with white-gold flared sides
|-
| Measurements
| 33 × 15 mm, 32 × 20 mm, and 32 × 15 mm in separate catalogue descriptions
|-
| Movement
| 15-jewel Prima or Extra Prima labels; numbered caliber unconfirmed
|-
| Dial
| Gilt or silvered dials with Arabic numerals; one is described as quartered
|-
| Family
| Unassigned; the catalogues use descriptive watch types rather than a family name
|}

==Where it sits in the line==

Christie's calls one example a lady's watch and the other a small rectangular wristwatch; Toovey's also describes a lady's watch. Those catalogue descriptions leave ref. 1381's family name unsettled.

==Production outline==

Christie's dates both catalogue examples to 1930. Its case 69217 and Toovey's example also carry Glasgow import marks dated to that year. The marks document an import to Glasgow in 1930; they do not date manufacture. These records place ref. 1381 examples around 1930, while leaving the production span unknown.

==Movement notes==

All three catalogues describe hand-wound movements. Christie's calls one a 15-jewel Prima and another a 15-jewel Extra Prima, both timed to six positions. Toovey's reports a 15-ruby Prima, six-position timing, and a Rolex hairspring. The records give no numbered caliber or dated movement changeover.

[[File:Ref 1381 movement.webp|thumb|right|220px|The movement in Toovey’s lot 1165, described as a 15-ruby Prima timed to six positions|alt=Rolex manual movement marked Prima, 15 rubies and timed six positions]]

==Dial map==

The three catalogues describe a gilt Arabic dial, a quartered silvered Arabic dial on case 69217, and a silvered dial with black Arabic numerals. They record individual configurations rather than a sequence of dial changes.

==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes==

Each catalogue describes a rectangular case. Christie's gives 33 × 15 mm for its 18ct-gold example, with stepped lugs and a snap-on back. Its case 69217 measures 32 × 20 mm and combines a yellow-gold body with white-gold flared sides. The lot description records a snap-on back and Glasgow import marks dated 1930, and says the case, dial, and movement are signed. Toovey's gives 32 × 15 mm for its 18ct-gold example and describes stepped bracelet mounts. It records “2590” above “1381” on the caseback; the catalogue does not identify the first number. Since the catalogues do not define their measurement axes consistently, each dimension belongs to its individual lot.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref 1381 caseback inside.webp|Toovey’s lot 1165: movement marked Prima, 15 rubies and timed to six positions
File:Ref 1381 caseback.webp|The caseback marks transcribed by Toovey’s: 2590 above 1381
File:Ref 1381 case profile.webp|Stepped case profile and crown, Toovey’s lot 1165
</gallery>

==Bracelets, end links, clasps, and packaging notes==

Toovey's describes a gilt-metal double-cord strap. The three catalogue records provide no bracelet, end-link, clasp, box, or papers specification for the reference.

==Special branches==

The two-colour case with white-gold flared sides is the clearest documented case variant. These records do not say whether it was a regular option or a special order.

==Historical market and auction record==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Record
! Catalogue date
! Details
|-
| Christie's, sale 8510, lot 382
| 1930
| 18ct-gold case, gilt Arabic dial, 15-jewel Prima movement
|-
| Christie's, sale 9127, lot 15, case 69217
| 1930
| Yellow gold with white-gold flared sides, quartered silvered dial, 15-jewel Extra Prima
|-
| Toovey's, lot 1165, 15 October 2026
| Glasgow import marks dated 1930
| 18ct-gold case, silvered Arabic dial, 15-ruby Prima; hammer price £700
|}

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref 1381 hero.webp|Toovey’s, lot 1165: front view
File:Ref 1381 movement.webp|Toovey’s, lot 1165: movement marked Prima, 15 rubies
File:Ref 1381 caseback inside.webp|Toovey’s, lot 1165: interior caseback and movement
File:Ref 1381 caseback.webp|Toovey’s, lot 1165: exterior caseback and import marks
File:Ref 1381 case profile.webp|Toovey’s, lot 1165: stepped case profile
</gallery>

== Sources ==

* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-1572870 "Christie's, Rolex ref. 1381, lot 382, Watches and Wristwatches, sale 8510", Christie's]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-2077566 "Christie's, Rolex ref. 1381, case no. 69217, lot 15, Rolex Watches, sale 9127", Christie's]
* [https://www.tooveys.com/lots/630005/an-art-deco-rolex-18ct-gold-rectangular-cased-ladys-wristwatch/ "Toovey's, Rolex ref. 1381, lot 1165, 15 October 2026", Toovey's]
* [https://www.tooveys.com/sale-results/wristwatches-and-pocket-watches/2501/8/ "Toovey's, Wristwatches and Pocket Watches sale, 15 October 2026, lot 1165", Toovey's, 2026-10-15]

Reference:1381 - Revision history

Admin: Add breadcrumb and category after lint review

Admin: Add researched Rolex ref. 1381 article