Admin: Add reference 3096 from four auction records

2026-10-08T02:01:46Z

Add reference 3096 from four auction records

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Oyster 3096}}
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|title=Rolex Oyster 3096: Early Cushion-Case Oyster Records | Rolexopedia
|description=Four auction records document gold Rolex Oyster ref. 3096 watches with cushion cases, including central- and subsidiary-seconds examples.
|keywords=Rolex 3096, Oyster Chronometer, manual-wind Oyster, cushion case, 9ct gold
|image=Ref_3096_hero.webp
|image_alt=9ct gold Rolex Oyster ref. 3096 with a silvered Arabic dial, photographed by Bonhams
|type=Article
|og_type=article
|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
}}
<small>[[Reference:oyster-perpetual|Oyster]] → '''3096'''</small>
<div class="rp-lead">[[File:Ref_3096_hero.webp|thumb|center|640px|alt=9ct gold Rolex Oyster ref. 3096 with a silvered Arabic dial and cushion case|Bonhams, 2024, lot 85, case 41164]]</div>

The 3096 is a Rolex Oyster documented in four auction records for gold watches with cushion-shaped cases. Bonhams calls its example manual-wind. Three records give a 30 mm diameter; EveryWatch's transcription of Sotheby's lot 51 gives the same size for a fourth. Bonhams' photograph shows a central seconds hand; the other records describe or show subsidiary seconds.

Bonhams dates its example to circa 1930; Sotheby's catalogues lot 51 circa 1937. Gardiner Houlgate records Glasgow import marks dated 1937 on another watch. Those dates belong to the individual watches or their import records; the auction records give no production span or caliber number.

==Core facts==

{| class="wikitable rp-facts"
|-
! Detail
! Evidence
|-
| Reference
| 3096, marked on the exterior caseback in the Toovey's example.
|-
| Family
| Oyster.
|-
| Production
| Individual-watch dates: Bonhams, case 41164, circa 1930; Sotheby's lot 51, circa 1937, with case 41'108 transcribed by EveryWatch; Gardiner Houlgate, case 41066, with 1937 Glasgow import marks. The reference's production range is undetermined.
|-
| Case
| 9ct gold, cushion form, about 30 mm. Gardiner Houlgate describes hooded lugs.
|-
| Winding
| Bonhams identifies manual winding; the other catalogue descriptions focus on movement type or jewel count.
|-
| Movement
| Toovey's describes a jewelled lever movement; Gardiner Houlgate records 18 jewels and six-position timing. EveryWatch's transcription of Sotheby's lot 51 gives a mechanical 18-jewel movement. The listings give no caliber number.
|-
| Seconds
| Centre seconds visible on Bonhams case 41164; subsidiary seconds described or shown in the Gardiner Houlgate and Toovey's records, and transcribed for Sotheby's lot 51 by EveryWatch.
|-
| Dial
| Silvered with Arabic numerals in the Bonhams, Gardiner Houlgate, and Toovey's records; EveryWatch's transcription of Sotheby's lot 51 also describes a silvered dial. Two examples carry the wording “Oyster Chronometer.”
|-
| Bracelet or strap
| Auction records show leather straps, but do not tie them to original delivery.
|}

==Where it sits in the line==

Auction catalogues place the 3096 among Oyster watches. Bonhams describes its example as manual-wind. Gardiner Houlgate calls its example an “Oyster Chronometer”; Toovey's records that wording on the dial. The records describe individual watches; they do not document separate named branches.

==Production outline==

Bonhams dates the watch with case 41164 to circa 1930. Sotheby's lists a ref. 3096 as circa 1937; EveryWatch's transcription identifies that lot as case 41'108. Gardiner Houlgate records case 41066 with Glasgow import marks dated 1937. The mark dates the import record for case 41066; it does not date the reference's production. Bonhams' caseback photograph shows a dedication and the inscription “4.12.1940.” The date order and occasion remain unclear.

[[File:Ref_3096_caseback.webp|thumb|right|230px|alt=Caseback of Rolex Oyster ref. 3096 case 41164 with a dedication and date inscription|Bonhams, 2024, lot 85, case 41164]]

==Movement notes==

Bonhams describes its watch as manual-wind. Gardiner Houlgate specifies an 18-jewel movement timed in six positions. Toovey's describes a jewelled lever movement marked “Rolex Chronometer Timed 6 Positions,” without a jewel count. EveryWatch's transcription of Sotheby's lot 51 calls its movement mechanical and gives 18 jewels. The auction descriptions vary by example and give no reference-wide movement specification or caliber number.

==Dial map==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Example
! Recorded dial
|-
| Bonhams, case 41164
| Silvered dial with black Arabic numerals and “Rolex Oyster Chronometre.” The catalogue photograph shows a central seconds hand.
|-
| Gardiner Houlgate, case 41066
| Silvered Arabic dial, luminous hands, and subsidiary seconds; the movement is described as 18 jewels and timed to six positions.
|-
| Toovey's, example marked 4111 above ref. 3096
| Silvered Arabic dial with subsidiary seconds and “Rolex Oyster Chronometer.”
|-
| Sotheby's lot 51, case 41'108 per EveryWatch
| Catalogued circa 1937; EveryWatch's transcription describes a silvered dial with subsidiary seconds.
|}

The photographs and catalogue descriptions record both central and subsidiary seconds. The timing of any change between the layouts is unknown.

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

The auction descriptions agree on a cushion-shaped 9ct-gold case measuring about 30 mm. Gardiner Houlgate calls its example hooded-cushion cased. Toovey's describes a screw-down winding button marked “Oyster Patent”; Bonhams' profile photograph shows the crown and case side on the same watch.

Crystal material is unreported in the reviewed auction records.

[[File:Ref_3096_crown.webp|thumb|right|230px|alt=Side profile and crown of Rolex Oyster ref. 3096 case 41164|Bonhams, 2024, lot 85, case 41164]]

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

Bonhams shows a black lizard strap and gilt buckle, both described as associated. Gardiner Houlgate records a leather strap. The auction descriptions do not tie either strap to original delivery or document a bracelet, end link, or reference-specific packaging.

==Historical market and auction record==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sale
! Example
! Description
|-
| Toovey's, 13 July 2017, lot 1025
| Example marked 4111 above ref. 3096
| 9ct-gold cushion case, silvered Arabic dial with subsidiary seconds, and a jewelled lever movement marked “Rolex Chronometer Timed 6 Positions.”
|-
| Gardiner Houlgate, 23 May 2018, lot 59
| Serial 41066
| 9ct-gold hooded cushion case, silvered Arabic dial with subsidiary seconds, and 1937 Glasgow import marks.
|-
| Sotheby's, November 2020, lot 51
| Case 41'108 (EveryWatch transcription)
| Yellow-gold stepped cushion case, catalogued circa 1937; EveryWatch transcribes a 30 mm case, silvered dial with subsidiary seconds, and 18-jewel movement.
|-
| Bonhams, 6 November 2024, lot 85
| Case 41164
| 9K-gold cushion case, silvered Arabic dial with central seconds visible in the catalogue photograph, and a caseback dedication dated 4.12.1940.
|}

==Gallery==

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref_3096_hero.webp|Bonhams, 2024, lot 85, case 41164: dial and whole watch
File:Ref_3096_caseback.webp|Bonhams, 2024, lot 85, case 41164: engraved caseback
File:Ref_3096_crown.webp|Bonhams, 2024, lot 85, case 41164: crown and case profile
</gallery>

== Sources ==

* [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/29894/lot/85/rolex-a-9k-gold-manual-wind-wristwatch-oyster-ref-3096-circa-1930/ Bonhams, "Bonhams — Rolex Oyster ref. 3096, case 41164", Bonhams, 2024-11-06]
* [https://auctions.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk/catalogue/lot/1a42656b28290c8a4b42b67ac9a365ce/63b778f7668dabe928d3800924a99077/watches-clocks-miscellaneous-horology-lot-59/ Gardiner Houlgate, "Gardiner Houlgate — Rolex Oyster Chronometer ref. 3096, serial 41066", Gardiner Houlgate, 2018-05-23]
* [https://www.tooveys.com/lots/323442/a-rolex-oyster-9ct-gold-cushion-shape-cased-gentlemans-wristwatch Toovey's, "Toovey's — Rolex Oyster ref. 3096, case marking 4111/3096", Toovey's, 2017-07-13]
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/watches-6 Sotheby's, "Sotheby's — Rolex ref. 3096, lot 51, circa 1937", Sotheby's, 2020-11]
* [https://everywatch.com/rolex/watch-9190889 EveryWatch, "EveryWatch transcription of Sotheby's — Rolex ref. 3096, lot 51", EveryWatch]

[[Category:Oyster]]

--- 8253 chars, 3 images ---
[hero] Ref_3096_hero.webp <- /Users/pawelb/workspace/rolexopedia/deliverables/references/3096/images/public/Ref_3096_hero.webp
[caseback] Ref_3096_caseback.webp <- /Users/pawelb/workspace/rolexopedia/deliverables/references/3096/images/public/Ref_3096_caseback.webp
[crown] Ref_3096_crown.webp <- /Users/pawelb/workspace/rolexopedia/deliverables/references/3096/images/public/Ref_3096_crown.webp

Reference:3096 - Revision history

Admin: Add reference 3096 from four auction records