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Add researched reference 3136 article

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|title=Rolex reference 3136 — Manual-wind Oyster examples | Rolexopedia
|description=Auction-documented Rolex ref. 3136 examples from the 1930s and 1940s, with their changing dial names, movement descriptions and case details.
|keywords=Rolex reference 3136, Oyster Raleigh, Oyster Junior Sport, Oyster Sport Aqua, Oyster Lipton, Caliber 59
|image=Ref 3136 hero.webp
|image_alt=Stainless steel Rolex Oyster Junior Sport ref. 3136 with a two-tone dial and expandable bracelet
|type=Article
|og_type=article
|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex reference 3136}}

<small>Early Rolex wristwatches → '''3136'''</small>

<div class="rp-lead">
[[File:Ref 3136 hero.webp|thumb|center|640px|alt=Stainless steel Rolex Oyster Junior Sport ref. 3136 with a two-tone dial and expandable bracelet|Oyster Junior Sport, case 104481. Photo: Antiquorum, lot 183, 2026.]]
</div>

Reference 3136 is a small, hand-wound stainless-steel Oyster documented in auction records from the 1930s through the 1940s. The examples in those records measure about 30 mm. Catalogue names and dial layouts vary by lot.

==Core facts==

{| class="wikitable rp-facts"
! detail !! documented examples
|-
| reference
| 3136
|-
| line
| Manual-wind Oyster
|-
| catalogue dates
| 1930s–1940s; individual estimates, not established production endpoints
|-
| case
| Stainless steel; about 30–30.5 mm in the reviewed lots
|-
| movement
| Manual wind, 15 jewels in the reviewed examples; some catalogues identify a 10½-ligne movement or Cal. 59
|-
| seconds
| Both centre seconds and subsidiary seconds are documented
|-
| dial names in catalogues
| Raleigh, Junior Sport, Sport Aqua, Lipton and Precision
|-
| bracelets observed
| Expandable Cromwell and Rolex bracelets; one Christie's lot describes a Rolex bracelet with deployant clasp
|}

==Where it sits in the line==

Antiquorum titles ref. 3136 as Raleigh, Junior Sport and Precision; Christie's uses Sport Aqua and Junior Sport; Auctionata calls case 102047 a Lipton. Heritage describes case 105063 as a Junior Sport retailed by Beyer. These names belong to the cited watches; the catalogues do not establish formal subreferences.

==Production outline==

Auction estimates place individual examples from the 1930s through the 1940s. Antiquorum dates cases 101696 and 110749 to the 1930s and circa 1940; Auctionata dates case 102047 to circa 1937; Heritage dates case 105063 to circa 1940; Antiquorum dates case 104481 to the 1940s. Later-numbered cases 147386 and 147396 are catalogued circa 1942 and in the 1930s respectively, while Christie's gives circa 1940 for case 178901. These are dates assigned to separate objects, not a verified serial-year sequence.

==Movement notes==

The catalogued watches are manual wind and usually described as 15-jewel. Antiquorum gives a 10½-ligne movement for its 2009, 2016, 2025 and 2026 examples. Heritage identifies the movement in case 105063 as Fontainemelon FHF 30, “subsequently renamed Rolex caliber 59”; Waddington's separately describes Cal. 59 in case 147396. Christie's describes a 15-jewel mechanical lever movement in case 178901 but does not name a caliber. Gardiner Houlgate also describes a 15-jewel patented Super Balance movement for a 3136 with only a partial case number, 1107xx. Keep each caliber description attached to the catalogue that states it rather than assigning it to every example. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-3136-oyster-junior-sport-lot-386-183 Antiquorum, lot 183]; [https://www.watch-auctions.co.uk/sale/71/172/Rolex-Oyster-stainless-steel-gentlemans-wristwatch-reference-no-3136-case-no-1107xx-circa-1940-circular-silvered-dial-with-Arabic-numerals-minute-track-and-subsidiary-seconds-Oyster-Patent-crown-signed-15-jewel-patented-super-balance-movement-signed-Rolex-Oyster-Watch-Co-case-with-patent-numbers-modern-black-leather-strap-30mm Gardiner Houlgate, lot 172]

==Dial map==

The documented dials differ in layout and signing. Antiquorum's two-tone Raleigh has matte silver and gilt sections, luminous Arabic numerals, a seconds track and five-second numerals. Its 2016 “Precision” example has a silvered dial with luminous Arabic numerals and a subsidiary-seconds layout; Antiquorum says that dial was reprinted and its luminous material reapplied. Christie's describes a silvered Sport Aqua dial with Arabic numerals on a blank chapter ring and subsidiary seconds. Heritage records a black enamel dial signed Oyster and Beyer, with a gilt minute track, luminous baton markers and sweep seconds. Waddington's photographs a black Raleigh dial on case 147396.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref 3136 dial-detail-precision.webp|“Precision” dial, case 136310; Antiquorum says the dial was reprinted and luminous material reapplied. Photo: Antiquorum, lot 30, 2016.
File:Ref 3136 dial-detail-raleigh.webp|“Oyster Raleigh” dial, case 101696. Photo: Antiquorum, lot 158, 2025.
File:Ref 3136 dial-detail-black-raleigh.webp|Black Raleigh dial, case 147396. Photo: Waddington's, lot 85, 2024.
</gallery>

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

The auction descriptions give case diameters from 30 to 30.5 mm. Antiquorum describes two-body steel cases with screw-down backs and crowns, an inclined bezel and concave lugs on its 2009 and 2016 examples. Heritage describes the case of its 30 mm example as two-body, with screw-down crown and back, and identifies its crystal as acrylic. Those construction details come from individual lots; the sample does not establish that every 3136 had identical case or crystal specifications.

[[File:Ref 3136 caseback.webp|thumb|right|220px|Case 147396; Waddington's notes a monogram. Photo: Waddington's, lot 85, 2024.|alt=Engraved caseback and monogram on Rolex ref. 3136 case 147396]]

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

Antiquorum records a stainless-steel Cromwell expandable bracelet on case 104481 and an expandable Rolex bracelet on case 136310. Christie's describes a Rolex bracelet and deployant clasp with case 178901. These catalogues document watches offered with those bracelets; they do not establish original delivery or reference-wide fitment.

Antiquorum's 2009 Raleigh, case 110749, was accompanied by a Rolex box, an article about the watch and a book of James Alan Roberts's memoirs. That is an auctioned set for one watch, not evidence of a 3136-specific box.

==Special branches==

Heritage catalogues one black-dial ref. 3136 with both Oyster and Beyer signatures. This establishes a Beyer-signed example, not a separate reference or a general retailer fitment rule. Antiquorum records the 2009 Raleigh as formerly owned by Canadian officer and diplomat James Alan Roberts; its case is engraved “J.A. Roberts.” The provenance and engraving belong to case 110749.

==Historical market and auction record==

{| class="wikitable"
! catalogue date !! source !! case !! catalogue name and notes !! recorded result
|-
| 1930s || [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-965189 Christie's] || not given || Oyster Junior Sport; 30 mm steel, silvered Arabic dial, subsidiary seconds, 15 jewels || not recorded
|-
| circa 1937 || [https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/rolex-oyster-lipton-ref-3136-switzerland-c-1937-99-c-4144bc1b46 Auctionata via Invaluable, lot 99] || 102047 || Oyster Lipton; 30 mm steel, 15-jewel manual movement, silvered small-seconds dial || Passed
|-
| circa 1940 || [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-214-214 Antiquorum, lot 214, 2009] || 110749 || Oyster Raleigh; two-tone dial; formerly owned by James Alan Roberts || CHF 7,800
|-
| circa 1940 || [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-3136-lot-302-30 Antiquorum, lot 30, 2016] || 136310 || Precision; 30.5 mm; catalogue says dial reprinted and luminous material reapplied || CHF 688
|-
| circa 1940 || [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5973290 Christie's] || 178901 || Oyster Sport Aqua; 30 mm; silvered subsidiary-seconds dial and Rolex bracelet || not recorded here
|-
| circa 1940 || [https://jewelry.ha.com/itm/timepieces/rare-oyster-junior-sport-by-rolex-retailed-by-beyer-stainless-steel-manual-wind-ref-3136-circa-1940/a/5408-54065.s Heritage Auctions, lot 54065, 2019] || 105063 || Junior Sport, Beyer-signed; black enamel dial; FHF 30 / Cal. 59 attribution || US$1,250
|-
| circa 1942 || [https://www.bidsquare.com/online-auctions/schmitt-horan-co/a-second-quarter-20th-century-rolex-ref-3136-oyster-raleigh-wrist-watch-6746675 Schmitt Horan via Bidsquare, lot 603, 2024] || 147386 || Raleigh; case and dial restored, new luminous compound on hands || not recorded
|-
| 1930s || [https://www.waddingtons.ca/auction/wrist-pocket-watches-dec-12-2024/gallery/lot/85/ Waddington's, lot 85, 2024] || 147396 || Raleigh; black dial; 15-jewel Cal. 59; monogrammed back; cracked crystal || CAD 475, including buyer's premium
|-
| circa 1930s || [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-3136-oyster-raleigh-lot-377-158 Antiquorum, lot 158, 2025] || 101696 || Raleigh; 30 mm; dedication on case; catalogue describes original hands || CHF 1,500
|-
| 1940s || [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-3136-oyster-junior-sport-lot-386-183 Antiquorum, lot 183, 2026] || 104481 || Junior Sport; two-tone dial; 30 mm; Cromwell expandable bracelet || estimate CHF 2,000–4,000
|}

A 2025 Miller & Miller catalogue titled a different watch ref. 3135, although its photographed caseback reads 3136. That inconsistent record is excluded from the table and from the confirmed 3136 example count. [https://live.millerandmillerauctions.com/lots/view/4-II3NGM/rolex-ref-3135-wwii-era-oyster-standard Miller & Miller, lot 25]

==Gallery==

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref 3136 hero.webp|Oyster Junior Sport, case 104481. Photo: Antiquorum, lot 183, 2026.
File:Ref 3136 dial-detail-precision.webp|“Precision” dial, case 136310. Photo: Antiquorum, lot 30, 2016.
File:Ref 3136 dial-detail-raleigh.webp|“Oyster Raleigh” dial, case 101696. Photo: Antiquorum, lot 158, 2025.
File:Ref 3136 dial-detail-black-raleigh.webp|Black Raleigh dial, case 147396. Photo: Waddington's, lot 85, 2024.
File:Ref 3136 caseback.webp|Case 147396; Waddington's notes the monogram. Photo: Waddington's, lot 85, 2024.
</gallery>

== Sources ==

* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-3136-oyster-junior-sport-lot-386-183 Antiquorum, Geneva, 9 May 2026, lot 183, Oyster Junior Sport ref. 3136]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-3136-oyster-raleigh-lot-377-158 Antiquorum, Geneva, 10 May 2025, lot 158, Oyster Raleigh ref. 3136]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-3136-lot-302-30 Antiquorum, Geneva, 13 November 2016, lot 30, ref. 3136 Precision]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-214-214 Antiquorum, Geneva, 10 May 2009, lot 214, Raleigh ref. 3136, case 110749]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5973290 Christie's, Oyster Sport Aqua ref. 3136, case 178901]
* [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-965189 Christie's, Oyster Junior Sport ref. 3136]
* [https://jewelry.ha.com/itm/timepieces/rare-oyster-junior-sport-by-rolex-retailed-by-beyer-stainless-steel-manual-wind-ref-3136-circa-1940/a/5408-54065.s Heritage Auctions, 3 June 2019, lot 54065]
* [https://www.waddingtons.ca/auction/wrist-pocket-watches-dec-12-2024/gallery/lot/85/ Waddington's, 12 December 2024, lot 85]
* [https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/rolex-oyster-lipton-ref-3136-switzerland-c-1937-99-c-4144bc1b46 Auctionata via Invaluable, 20 January 2016, lot 99]
* [https://www.bidsquare.com/online-auctions/schmitt-horan-co/a-second-quarter-20th-century-rolex-ref-3136-oyster-raleigh-wrist-watch-6746675 Schmitt Horan & Co. via Bidsquare, 2 November 2024, lot 603]
* [https://www.watch-auctions.co.uk/sale/71/172/Rolex-Oyster-stainless-steel-gentlemans-wristwatch-reference-no-3136-case-no-1107xx-circa-1940-circular-silvered-dial-with-Arabic-numerals-minute-track-and-subsidiary-seconds-Oyster-Patent-crown-signed-15-jewel-patented-super-balance-movement-signed-Rolex-Oyster-Watch-Co-case-with-patent-numbers-modern-black-leather-strap-30mm Gardiner Houlgate, 20 October 2025, lot 172]
* [https://live.millerandmillerauctions.com/lots/view/4-II3NGM/rolex-ref-3135-wwii-era-oyster-standard Miller & Miller, 6 November 2025, lot 25, miscatalogued ref. 3135 / photographed caseback 3136]

[[Category:Oyster]]

Reference:3136 - Revision history

Admin: Add researched reference 3136 article