Admin: Add audited Rolex ref. 2508 with source-grounded description and cross-page corrections

2026-10-06T08:00:24Z

Add audited Rolex ref. 2508 with source-grounded description and cross-page corrections

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Chronograph 2508}}
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|title=Rolex Chronograph 2508 — Two-Pusher, Two-Register Reference | Rolexopedia
|description=Rolex ref. 2508 examples, their two pusher forms, disputed movement identifications, dial variants and dated auction records.
|keywords=Rolex, 2508, antimagnetic, anti-magnetic chronograph, Valjoux, pre-Daytona
|image=Ref 2508 hero.webp
|image_alt=Yellow-gold Rolex ref. 2508 chronograph retailed by Astrua, with two registers and a silvered dial
|type=Article
|og_type=article
|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
}}

<small>[[Reference:pre-daytona-chronographs|Pre-Daytona chronographs]] → '''2508'''</small>

<div class="rp-lead">
[[File:Ref 2508 hero.webp|thumb|center|640px|alt=Yellow-gold Rolex 2508 retailed by Astrua, photographed dial-on|Ref. 2508 case 49'412, attributed to Astrua in Turin. Photo: Antiquorum, lot 240 (2019)]]
</div>

The 2508 is a two-register, two-pusher Rolex chronograph in a round snap-back case. Auction catalogues document steel, yellow-gold and pink-gold examples, with oval or olive-shaped pushers on some and rectangular pushers on others. Auction dates place individual examples from about 1935 through 1947; factory production dates remain undocumented.

Auction catalogues variously give 13- or 14-ligne movements and name Valjoux 22 or VZ. The ''Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' lists V23. The surviving records leave the 2508 without a settled caliber.

==Core facts==

{| class="wikitable"
! Detail !! Documented record
|-
| Reference
| 2508
|-
| Family
| Early non-Oyster Rolex chronograph
|-
| Dated examples
| Christie's dates one case circa 1935; auction catalogues also describe examples into the 1940s. No factory production endpoints are established.
|-
| Movement
| Manual chronograph. Published identifications conflict; see Movement notes.
|-
| Registers and controls
| Two registers and two case pushers in the catalogued examples reviewed
|-
| Case
| Round, three-body snap-back case; not a screw-down Oyster case
|-
| Documented metals
| Stainless steel, 18-carat yellow gold and 18-carat pink gold
|-
| Measured diameters
| Auction descriptions range from 35 to 38 mm. Measurements vary by watch and catalogue.
|-
| Dial
| Silvered, black, rose and cream examples; tachymeter and telemeter scales appear in different layouts
|-
| Strap or bracelet
| Leather straps are common in the reviewed photographs. One steel bracelet is described by Phillips as a 1950s brick-link bracelet; original 2508 bracelet fitment is not established.
|}

==Where it sits in the line==

Rolex had made single-pusher wrist chronographs before the 2508. The 2508 uses two registers and two operating pushers, a layout that separates it from those earlier models.

The 2508 belongs to the earlier non-Oyster group. Its snap-back case differs from later screw-down Oyster chronographs. Christie's and Antiquorum use “Anti-Magnetic” or “Anti-Magnetique” in lot titles, and some photographed dials carry similar text. The spelling varies across dials and lot titles; the catalogues provide no magnetic-resistance test results.

==Production outline==

Christie's dates steel case 034'557 to circa 1935. A 1930s Rolex advertisement reproduced in Guido Mondani's ''Master Rolex'' lists a 14-ligne, two-button chronograph in steel or 18-carat yellow or pink gold, and shows the 2508 at 38 mm. The advertisement shows how Rolex presented the model in the Italian market; the auction records provide the dated examples discussed here.

The dated auction records extend into the 1940s. Antiquorum estimated the same steel case 041'338 at circa 1947 in 2019 and circa 1942 when it reappeared in 2021. These estimates date the individual watches; the production span remains undated.

==Movement notes==

The published movement labels vary by watch. Phillips calls case 034'609 a 14-ligne, 17-jewel movement; the same case appeared in a 2013 Christie's catalogue, so those are two descriptions of one watch. Christie's lists a 13-ligne movement for gold case 51'348. Antiquorum describes case 49'412 as a 14-ligne movement based on Valjoux VZ. Other lot records use Valjoux 22, while Colin A. White's ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' lists V23.

The Antiquorum photographs show the movements, while published identifications remain inconsistent. The reference has no settled caliber assignment.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref 2508 Astrua movement.webp|Movement shown in Antiquorum case 49'412; catalogue attribution retained
File:Ref 2508 steel movement.webp|Open movement in steel case 041'338; published caliber labels differ
</gallery>

==Dial map==

The photographed and catalogued examples include silvered, matte black, rose and cream dials. Layouts vary: some use Arabic numerals, some mix numerals with baton or dagger markers, and the scales include tachymeter and telemeter tracks in different colors and positions.

Two retailer signatures have been recorded. Phillips catalogued case 25'643 with a Cravanzola Roma dial; Antiquorum identified “ROLEX ASTRUA” on case 49'412 and attributed it to Astrua in Turin. The listings document the signatures on two individual watches. Neither source identifies a factory branch or gives a chain of custody for the dial.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref 2508 silver dial.webp|Silver-coloured dial, steel case 041'338; Antiquorum described it as silver in 2021
File:Ref 2508 pink gold case.webp|Pink-gold case, Antiquorum 2020
File:Ref 2508 cream dial.webp|Cream dial and applied gold indexes, case 37'128, Antiquorum 2025
</gallery>

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

The reviewed catalogues describe a round, three-body case with a snap-on back. Examples have oval or olive-shaped pushers, rectangular or flat pushers, and, in one catalogue, square pushers. Auction essays describe oval and rectangular forms as successive, yet watches catalogued around 1937 appear with both shapes. Diameter does not sort them reliably. Phillips records oval-pusher cases at both 35.2 and 37 mm.

Auction photographs show fluted crowns and reference and serial markings on the backs of some cases. Antiquorum reports that other serials appear around the caseback edge; the records do not date that change in placement. The cited sources do not identify a standard crystal material or document present-day water resistance.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref 2508 Astrua angled.webp|Rectangular pushers and case profile, case 49'412, Antiquorum 2019
File:Ref 2508 steel flank.webp|Case flank and pusher profile, case 041'338, Antiquorum 2019
File:Ref 2508 Astrua caseback.webp|Outer caseback, yellow-gold case 49'412
File:Ref 2508 steel caseback.webp|Outer caseback markings, steel case 041'338
File:Ref 2508 cream case.webp|Case profile, yellow-gold case 37'128, Antiquorum 2025
</gallery>

==Bracelets, clasps, and packaging==

The reviewed auction photographs mostly show leather straps. Phillips dates the brick-link bracelet on steel case 034'609 to the 1950s; that dates the bracelet, while original delivery with the watch remains unestablished. Christie’s records a green presentation box with one example, which documents the lot rather than a reference-wide package.

==Special branches==

The named branches in the reviewed records are two retailer-signed watches: Astrua on case 49'412 and Cravanzola Roma on case 25'643. The catalogues treat each as an individual example.

==Auction record==

Two watches recur in the auction record. Christie's and Phillips both catalogued steel case 034'609; Antiquorum offered steel case 041'338 twice and assigned it different dates. The table lists distinct cases, keeping each house's measurements and movement wording attached to its own lot.

{| class="wikitable"
! Case !! Catalogue description !! Date and measurement as reported
|-
| 034'557
| Stainless steel; telemeter and tachymeter scales
| Christie's estimates circa 1935; diameter not stated in the reviewed record
|-
| 37'184
| Pink gold, rose dial, oval pushers
| Christie's estimates circa 1935; 36 mm; 14-ligne movement
|-
| 25'643
| Yellow gold, Cravanzola Roma signed dial, oval pushers
| Phillips estimates circa 1936; 36 mm; 14-ligne, 17 jewels
|-
| 034'609
| Steel, silvered dial, oval pushers; also described with a 1950s brick-link bracelet
| Christie's and Phillips date it 1937; Phillips gives 37 mm and 14-ligne, 17 jewels
|-
| 51'348
| Yellow gold, silvered dial, rectangular pushers
| Christie's estimates circa 1937; 36 mm; 13-ligne, 17 jewels
|-
| 49'412
| Yellow gold, Astrua-signed dial, rectangular pushers
| Antiquorum estimates circa 1938; 35.5 mm; 14-ligne Valjoux VZ
|-
| 041'338
| Steel, silver-coloured dial, rectangular pushers
| Antiquorum's 2021 catalogue calls the dial silver and describes rectangular pushers; it gives 35.2 mm bezel diameter and a 14-ligne movement. The 2019 catalogue dates the same case circa 1947 and the 2021 catalogue circa 1942.
|-
| 512'132
| Steel, black dial, rectangular pushers
| Phillips dates it 1946; 35.2 mm; Valjoux 22, 17 jewels
|-
| 37'128
| Yellow gold, cream dial, applied gold indexes
| Antiquorum dates it 1936; 36 mm; 14-ligne, 17 jewels
|-
| 418'292
| Steel, rectangular pushers, Arabic numerals and red/blue scales
| Bonhams estimates circa 1937; 35 mm; manual, 17 jewels
|}

These catalogue dates are estimates for individual watches, and movement labels vary across the sources.

== Gallery ==

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref 2508 hero.webp|Yellow-gold Astrua example, full dial view; Antiquorum 2019, lot 240
File:Ref 2508 Astrua angled.webp|Same watch, angled view
File:Ref 2508 Astrua movement.webp|Same watch, movement
File:Ref 2508 Astrua caseback.webp|Same watch, caseback
File:Ref 2508 steel hero.webp|Steel case 041'338, Antiquorum 2019, lot 207
File:Ref 2508 silver dial.webp|Same watch, dial detail; Antiquorum calls the dial silver in its 2021 catalogue
File:Ref 2508 steel flank.webp|Same watch, case flank
File:Ref 2508 steel caseback.webp|Same watch, caseback
File:Ref 2508 steel movement.webp|Same watch, movement
File:Ref 2508 pink gold case.webp|Pink-gold example, Antiquorum 2020, lot 379
File:Ref 2508 cream dial.webp|Yellow-gold case 37'128, Antiquorum 2025, lot 383
File:Ref 2508 cream case.webp|Same watch, side view
File:Ref 2508 cream caseback.webp|Same watch, caseback
</gallery>

== Sources ==

* [https://www.scribd.com/document/916184909/master-rolex-preview ''Master Rolex'' — Guido Mondani, Mondani Books, 2023]
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/99712 "Phillips — Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR, Rolex ref. 2508, lot 185", Phillips]
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/124990 "Phillips — The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE, Rolex ref. 2508, lot 53", Phillips]
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/106367 "Phillips — The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE, Rolex ref. 2508, lot 177", Phillips]
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/137222 "Phillips — The Geneva Watch Auction: XI, ref. 2508, lot 71", Phillips]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5808540 "Christie's — Important Watches, Rolex ref. 2508, case 51'348, lot 550", Christie's]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6028334 "Christie's — Rare Watches Including Nautilus 40, ref. 2508 case 037598", Christie's]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6028335 "Christie's — Rare Watches Including Nautilus 40, ref. 2508 case 37'184", Christie's]
* [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6202991 "Christie's — Rolex ref. 2508, case 034'557, circa 1935", Christie's]
* [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-rolex-a-very-rare-and-extremely-fine-5892962/ "Christie's — Rolex ref. 2508, case 037651, circa 1938", Christie's]
* [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-5731593 "Christie's — Rolex ref. 2508, case 034'609, lot 135", Christie's]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-2508-anti-magnetic-made-for-astrua-turin-lot-322-240 "Antiquorum — Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces, Rolex ref. 2508 Astrua, lot 240", Antiquorum]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-2508-chronograph-lot-319-207 "Antiquorum — Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces, Rolex ref. 2508, lot 207", Antiquorum]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-2508-lot-337-129 "Antiquorum — Only Online Auction, ref. 2508 steel, lot 129", Antiquorum]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-2508-anti-magnetique-lot-328-379 "Antiquorum — Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces, Rolex ref. 2508, lot 328", Antiquorum]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-210-260 "Antiquorum — Important Collectors Watches, Rolex ref. 2508, lot 260", Antiquorum]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-2508-lot-292-664 "Antiquorum — Rolex ref. 2508 steel chronograph, Hong Kong 2015, lot 664", Antiquorum]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-2508-chronographe-anti-magnetique-lot-383-127 "Antiquorum — Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces, Rolex ref. 2508, lot 383", Antiquorum]
* [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/29468/lot/12/rolex-a-rare-stainless-steel-manual-wind-chronograph-wristwatch-anti-magnetic-chronograph-ref-2508-c-1937/ "Bonhams — Rolex ref. 2508, case 418292, April 2024", Bonhams]
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/important-watches-ge1904/lot.411.html "Rolex ref. 2508 stainless-steel chronograph, Sotheby's lot 411", Sotheby's, 2019-11-12]
* [https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/bring-a-loupe-nov-8 Hodinkee, "Bring a Loupe: A Rolex From The '30s, A Philippe Dufour Simplicity, And A 'Sikorsky' Tudor Prince", Hodinkee, 2019-11-08]
* ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra
* [https://goldammer.me/blogs/articles/reference-guide-vintage-rolex-chronograph Goldammer, "A Beginner's Guide to Vintage Rolex Chronographs (1935–52)", Goldammer]
* [https://www.puccipapaleo.com/bookstore/i-cronografi-rolex/ ''Paolo Gobbi, I Cronografi Rolex – La Leggenda, pp. 80–91'' — Paolo Gobbi, Pucci Papaleo Editore, 2004]
* [https://www.damianibooks.com/en/products/6208031 ''John Goldberger, 100 Superlative Rolex Watches, pp. 64–65'' — John Goldberger, Damiani Editore, 2008]
* ''Osvaldo Patrizzi, Collecting Rolex Wristwatches, 2001 edition'' — Osvaldo Patrizzi, Guido Mondani Editore, 2001

[[Category:Pre-Daytona-Chronographs]]

Reference:2508 - Revision history

Admin: Add audited Rolex ref. 2508 with source-grounded description and cross-page corrections