Admin: Create researched reference article for Rolex 2942

2026-10-08T21:11:37Z

Create researched reference article for Rolex 2942

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Chronometre Scientific 2942}}
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|title=Rolex Chronometre Scientific 2942 | Rolexopedia
|description=Auction records for Rolex ref. 2942: a 29–30 mm gold centre-seconds chronometer with enamel dials and Ultra Prima movements.
|keywords=Rolex 2942, Chronometre Scientific, Ultra Prima, vintage Rolex
|image=Ref_2942_hero.webp
|image_alt=Gold Rolex Chronometre Scientific ref. 2942 with a white multi-scale dial
|type=Article
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|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
}}

<small>Other vintage references → '''2942'''</small>

<div class="rp-lead">
[[File:Ref_2942_hero.webp|thumb|center|640px|alt=Gold Rolex Chronometre Scientific ref. 2942 with a white multi-scale dial|Front view of ref. 2942. Waecce Watches.]]
</div>

Christie’s catalogues ref. 2942 as the Chronometre Scientific: a 29–30 mm gold, centre-seconds watch with a multi-scale dial and an Ultra Prima chronometer movement. Five case numbers appear in separate auction records.

==Core facts==

{| class="wikitable rp-facts"
|-
! Detail
! What the records show
|-
| Reference
| 2942
|-
| Name
| Chronometre Scientific, used by auction catalogues and on the dial
|-
| Family
| Other vintage references; manually wound chronometer
|-
| Production
| Auction descriptions and case marks place examples around 1937; the factory production span is unknown
|-
| Case
| Circular, 29–30 mm in Christie’s records; snap-on back is documented
|-
| Materials
| 9ct gold on five numbered cases; Christie’s separately catalogues an 18ct example without a case number
|-
| Movement
| Ultra Prima chronometer; 18 jewels and six-position timing stated in several catalogues; no numbered caliber confirmed
|-
| Dial
| Enamel examples with Arabic numerals, minute and fifth-second scales; a separate Christie’s listing describes a silvered dial
|-
| Seconds
| Centre seconds on the auction-catalogued examples
|}

==Where it sits in the line==

The 2942 is a small, manually wound chronometer sold under the Chronometre Scientific name. Ref. [[Reference:3009|3009]] uses the same dial wording; its catalogue examples have tonneau-shaped cases and appear in more materials. Auction records describe the two references separately.

==Production outline==

Five case numbers are documented: 30,075, 30,110/21, 30,125, 30,165 and 30,197. Glasgow import marks dated 1937 appear on cases 30,075, 30,165 and 30,197; case 30,125 carries a Dublin hallmark dated that year. Christie’s 18ct example has no published case number and remains separate from that group.

==Movement notes==

Christie’s and Toovey’s describe Ultra Prima chronometer movements timed to six positions; Christie’s gives 18 jewels on several examples. The photographed movement of the Waecce-listed watch is marked “Ultra Prima,” “18 Rubies” and “Timed 6 Positions.” Waecce identifies it as a 10½-line Hunter. Auction listings describe the movements by grade, jewel count and timing; they supply no movement size or numbered caliber. This article lists the movement under Ultra Prima. See [[Reference:Movements|the movement guide]] for early manual-wind caliber attributions.

[[File:Ref_2942_movement.webp|thumb|right|250px|alt=Open Rolex ref. 2942 case showing an Ultra Prima movement marked 18 rubies|The photographed movement is marked Ultra Prima, 18 Rubies and Timed 6 Positions. Waecce Watches.]]

==Dial map==

The recurring layout in the catalogues is a white enamel dial with Arabic numerals in a recessed centre, a minute ring and an outer seconds scale divided into fifths. Christie’s describes this arrangement on cases 30,075 and 30,125; Toovey’s records an enamel Chronometre Scientific dial with a red centre-seconds hand on case 30,165. Christie’s describes a silvered dial on its unnumbered 18ct example.

[[File:Ref_2942_dial.webp|thumb|right|250px|alt=Close view of the Rolex Chronometre Scientific dial with Arabic numerals and fifth-second scale|Dial of the Waecce-listed example. The image shows the printed scales and centre seconds.]]

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

Christie’s gives 30 mm for case 30,125 and describes downturned lugs there; the catalogue also records a snap-on back. Five numbered cases are described as 9ct gold; the 2000 Christie’s listing describes an 18ct gold example without a case number. The catalogues give no crystal or crown specification.

The side view below shows the case profile. The outer caseback photograph shows ref. 2942 and case number 30,197; the inside-case photograph shows maker and assay marks. Both belong to the same dealer-listed watch.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
Ref_2942_case-profile.webp|Side profile of the Waecce-listed ref. 2942.
Ref_2942_caseback.webp|Outer caseback marked 30,197 and 2942.
Ref_2942_caseback-inside.webp|Inside of the caseback, with assay marks.
</gallery>

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

Auction descriptions show leather straps on several examples. Christie’s records an associated 9ct gold brick-link bracelet and deployant clasp on case 30,125, and a leather strap with gilt Rolex buckle on case 30,110/21. The 30,125 catalogue gives no fitment history for its bracelet.

==Historical market and auction record==

The table separates numbered cases from listings without a matching case number. Christie’s 2002 lot 114 closely matches its 1994 lot 128, case 30,075; it may be the same watch and is counted once.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sale date
! House and lot
! Recorded example
|-
| 16 Mar 1994
| Christie’s, lot 128
| 9ct gold, case 30,075; Glasgow import mark dated 1937; enamel dial, centre seconds, Ultra Prima movement
|-
| 21 Jun 2000
| Christie’s South Kensington, lot 715
| 18ct gold; silvered dial; Ultra Prima movement; Glasgow 1937 marks; case number not stated
|-
| 19 Mar 2002
| Christie’s Amsterdam, lot 114
| 9ct gold; enamel dial; Glasgow marks; no case number; may be the 1994 case 30,075
|-
| 17 Dec 2003
| Christie’s South Kensington, lot 160
| 9ct gold, case 30,125; Dublin hallmark dated 1937; enamel dial and associated brick-link bracelet
|-
| Date not established
| Christie’s, lot record 2957472
| 9ct gold, case 30,110/21; enamel dial, centre seconds and Ultra Prima movement
|-
| 17 May 2012
| Toovey’s, lot 1010
| 9ct gold, case 30,165; Glasgow 1937 mark; presentation inscription dated 10 Sep 1939
|-
| 29 Jun 2022
| Trevanion, lot 57
| 9ct gold, case 30,197; Glasgow 1937 marks; catalogued not running and missing its centre-seconds hand
|}

==Gallery==

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
Ref_2942_hero.webp|Front view of ref. 2942. Waecce Watches.
Ref_2942_dial.webp|Closer view of the dial. Waecce Watches.
Ref_2942_case-profile.webp|Case profile. Waecce Watches.
Ref_2942_caseback.webp|Caseback marked 30,197 and 2942. Waecce Watches.
Ref_2942_caseback-inside.webp|Inside caseback and assay marks. Waecce Watches.
Ref_2942_movement.webp|Ultra Prima movement marked 18 Rubies and Timed 6 Positions. Waecce Watches.
</gallery>

== Sources ==

* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-3057646 "Clocks & Watches, London, 16 March 1994, lot 128 — Rolex ref. 2942, case 30,075", Christie's, 1994-03-16]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-3875375 "Fine Jewellery and Watches, Amsterdam, 19 March 2002, lot 114 — Rolex ref. 2942", Christie's, 2002-03-19]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-1817520 "Rolex Watches, South Kensington, 21 June 2000, lot 715 — Chronometre Scientific ref. 2942", Christie's, 2000-06-21]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-2957472 "Rolex ref. 2942, case 30,110/21", Christie's]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4211234 "Watches, South Kensington, 17 December 2003, lot 160 — Rolex ref. 2942, case 30,125", Christie's, 2003-12-17]
* [https://www.tooveys.com/lots/215089/a-rolex-9ct-gold-circular-cased-gentlemans-wristwatch/ "Wristwatches and Pocket Watches, 17 May 2012, lot 1010 — Rolex ref. 2942, case 30,165", Toovey's, 2012-05-17]
* [https://auctions.trevanion.com/catalogue/lot/61ed58ce15c8942699b260ac5d26131a/a7180bf4bbbb20d27ed1aac9c041a473/the-june-fine-art-and-antique-auction-lot-57/ "June Fine Art and Antique Auction, 29 June 2022, lot 57 — Rolex ref. 2942, case 30,197", Trevanion, 2022-06-29]
* [https://www.waecce.com/products/rare-early-rolex-chronometre-scientific-wristwatch-ref-2942-c-1937 "Sold listing — Rolex Chronometre Scientific ref. 2942", Waecce Watches]

[[Category:Other]]

Reference:2942 - Revision history

Admin: Create researched reference article for Rolex 2942