Admin: Add researched Rolex ref. 2791 pocket-watch article

2026-10-23T12:25:32Z

Add researched Rolex ref. 2791 pocket-watch article

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 2791 pocket watch}}
{{#seo:
|title=Rolex ref. 2791 pocket watch — documented examples and date conflict
|description=Three watches attributed to Rolex ref. 2791, including two Antiquorum cases with conflicting dates, distinct dials, and unnumbered movement descriptions.
|keywords=Rolex, 2791, pocket watch, Antiquorum
|image=Ref 2791 hero.webp
|image_alt=18K yellow-gold Rolex pocket watch attributed to ref. 2791, Antiquorum 2011 lot 30
|type=Article
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<small>Pocket watch → '''2791'''</small>

<div class="rp-lead">[[File:Ref 2791 hero.webp|thumb|center|640px|alt=Gold Rolex pocket watch attributed to ref. 2791 with a champagne dial and black dart markers|Antiquorum, Hong Kong, 2011, lot 30; case 1 006 294.]]</div>

Rolex ref. 2791 is documented as an open-face pocket watch in two Antiquorum catalogues. Both describe 42 mm, 18K yellow-gold watches, but assign circa 1930 to case 1 006 294 and circa 1954 to adjacent case 1 006 293. The 24-year difference between those estimates remains unresolved.

==Core facts==

{| class="wikitable rp-facts"
|-
! Detail
! Record
|-
| Reference
| 2791
|-
| Type
| Open-face, manual-wind pocket watch
|-
| Case
| Antiquorum describes both catalogued examples as 18K yellow gold and 42 mm in diameter
|-
| Dated examples
| Case 1 006 294, circa 1930; case 1 006 293, circa 1954, as dated by Antiquorum
|-
| Movement
| 2011 catalogue: rhodium-plated, 17 jewels; 2018 catalogue: 15-line movement. Neither gives a numbered caliber.
|-
| Dial
| Two-tone dials with different numeral layouts are shown in the two Antiquorum lots
|}

==Production outline==

The 2018 catalogue links case 1 006 293 to adjacent case 1 006 294, sold in 2011, and notes that the earlier watch had a different dial. Antiquorum dates the higher-numbered case circa 1930 and the lower-numbered one circa 1954. The estimates run against the case-number sequence and do not establish a production span.

A Polish seller listing shows a third apparent case, numbered 1006288 and marked 2791 inside the back. The seller calls it 18K gold and dates it circa 1930; the photographs show no dated paper or readable fineness mark. Treat those details as seller claims.

==Movement notes==

Antiquorum's 2011 lot describes a rhodium-plated, 17-jewel lever movement with a monometallic compensation balance, flat balance spring, and index regulator. The 2018 lot describes a 15-line movement with a going barrel, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance with gold poising screws, and Elinvar Breguet hairspring. Neither catalogue gives a numbered caliber. The seller photograph of case 1006288 shows Rolex, Fab. Suisse, Swiss Made, Spiral Breguet, Elinvar, and 17 Rubis markings, but does not establish that the case and movement left Rolex together.

==Dial map==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Recorded example
! Catalogue or photographed description
! Evidence
|-
| Case 1 006 294
| Two-tone champagne dial, black painted dart numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds, and blued-steel hands
| [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-247-30 Antiquorum, 2011 lot 30]
|-
| Case 1 006 293
| Two-tone dial with Arabic numerals at 12, 3, and 9, baton markers, and subsidiary seconds
| [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-2791-lot-316-238 Antiquorum, 2018 lot 238]
|-
| Case 1006288
| Seller photographs show a two-tone sector layout, Arabic 12, 3, and 9, and subsidiary seconds at 6
| [https://allegrolokalnie.pl/oferta/rolex-vintage-art-deco-sector-dial-no-1006288-ref-2791 Allegro Lokalnie listing]; the seller-attributed dial has no independent authentication
|}

The first two dials are documented on separately numbered Antiquorum watches. The seller photographs add another observed layout, without establishing when it was made or whether its components are original.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref 2791 hero.webp|Antiquorum 2011, lot 30, case 1 006 294; champagne dial with dart numerals
File:Ref 2791 dial variant.webp|Antiquorum 2018, lot 238, case 1 006 293; Arabic 12, 3, and 9
</gallery>

==Case, pendant, and bow==

Antiquorum gives a 42 mm diameter for both catalogued cases. Its 2011 entry describes a three-body bassine case with a polished, stepped bezel and gives an 8 mm thickness. The 2018 lot describes an open-face watch with a snap-on back. The case-profile photograph below belongs to that second watch.

[[File:Ref 2791 case profile.webp|thumb|right|240px|alt=Side profile of the gold Rolex ref. 2791 pocket watch, showing its case and bow|Antiquorum, 2018, lot 238; case 1 006 293.]]

==Gallery==

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref 2791 hero.webp|Antiquorum 2011, lot 30, case 1 006 294; champagne dial with dart numerals
File:Ref 2791 dial variant.webp|Antiquorum 2018, lot 238, case 1 006 293; Arabic 12, 3, and 9 dial
File:Ref 2791 case profile.webp|Antiquorum 2018, lot 238; side profile of case 1 006 293
</gallery>

[[Category:References]]

== Sources ==

* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-247-30 "Lot 30: Rolex ref. 2791, case 1 006 294", Antiquorum, 2011-02-26]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-2791-lot-316-238 "Lot 238: Rolex ref. 2791, case 1 006 293", Antiquorum, 2018-10-27]
* [https://allegrolokalnie.pl/oferta/rolex-vintage-art-deco-sector-dial-no-1006288-ref-2791 "Rolex pocket watch, case 1006288 / ref. 2791", Allegro Lokalnie listing (private seller)]

Reference:2791 - Revision history

Admin: Add researched Rolex ref. 2791 pocket-watch article