Reference:3666 - Revision history

Admin: Publish researched 3666 article with sourced case details and images

2026-10-14T03:14:54Z

Publish researched 3666 article with sourced case details and images

Klaudiusz: Deep audit: remove duplicate movement wording and normalize gallery heading

2026-09-29T03:36:50Z

Deep audit: remove duplicate movement wording and normalize gallery heading

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:36, 29 September 2026
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	}}		}}

	<small>[[Reference:bubbleback\|Pre-Oyster and Bubbleback index]] → '''3666'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:bubbleback\|Pre-Oyster and Bubbleback index]] › '''3666'''</small>

	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
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	==Movement notes==		==Movement notes==

	Bonhams and Watches of Knightsbridge describe 15-jewel manual movements on ref. 3666 examples. The latter calls its movement a Rolex Prima; the Cargills listing uses the same grade name. None of these catalogue entries identifies a caliber number~~. The catalogues identify no caliber number for these watches~~.		Bonhams and Watches of Knightsbridge describe 15-jewel manual movements on ref. 3666 examples. The latter calls its movement a Rolex Prima; the Cargills listing uses the same grade name. None of these catalogue entries identifies a caliber number.

	==Dial examples==		==Dial examples==
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	* [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|Serial numbers by year]]		* [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|Serial numbers by year]]

	~~== Image gallery ==~~
	<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">		<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
	File:Ref_3666_hero.webp\|Silver ref. 3666 Hermetique, circa 1925, Bonhams lot 48		File:Ref_3666_hero.webp\|Silver ref. 3666 Hermetique, circa 1925, Bonhams lot 48

Admin: Rewrite ref. 3666 from cited catalogue evidence; correct case and movement claims

2026-09-25T07:00:03Z

Rewrite ref. 3666 from cited catalogue evidence; correct case and movement claims

Show changes

Admin: Convert 4 legacy image(s) to WebP

2026-09-14T01:21:33Z

Convert 4 legacy image(s) to WebP

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:21, 14 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
	[[File:~~Ref 3666 hero~~.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 3666 Submarine Hermetique, first variant\|Rolex 3666 Submarine Hermetique, first variant]]		[[File:Ref_3666_hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 3666 Submarine Hermetique, first variant\|Rolex 3666 Submarine Hermetique, first variant]]
	</div>		</div>

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	<span id="dial-and-hand-variants"></span>		<span id="dial-and-hand-variants"></span>
	== Dial and hand variants ==		== Dial and hand variants ==
	[[File:Ref3666_connoisseur_18k_1924.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|right\|300px\|alt=Rolex 3666 Submarine Hermetique 18K gold variant, 1924\|Rolex 3666 Submarine Hermetique in 18K gold, 1924 — Finger patent CH 89276]]		[[File:Ref3666_connoisseur_18k_1924.webp\|thumb\|right\|300px\|alt=Rolex 3666 Submarine Hermetique 18K gold variant, 1924\|Rolex 3666 Submarine Hermetique in 18K gold, 1924 — Finger patent CH 89276]]


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	== The Cargills Ceylon example ==		== The Cargills Ceylon example ==

	[[File:Ref3666_cargills_ceylon.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|right\|300px\|alt=1924 ref 3666 Submarine Hermetique in silver, retailed by Cargills Ltd. Ceylon.\|1924 ref 3666 Submarine Hermetique in silver, retailed by Cargills Ltd. Ceylon.]]		[[File:Ref3666_cargills_ceylon.webp\|thumb\|right\|300px\|alt=1924 ref 3666 Submarine Hermetique in silver, retailed by Cargills Ltd. Ceylon.\|1924 ref 3666 Submarine Hermetique in silver, retailed by Cargills Ltd. Ceylon.]]

	The best-documented surviving 3666 is the 1924 sterling silver Cargills Ceylon watch. It is the practical anchor because it shows the architecture clearly and keeps the patent markings intact.		The best-documented surviving 3666 is the 1924 sterling silver Cargills Ceylon watch. It is the practical anchor because it shows the architecture clearly and keeps the patent markings intact.
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	<span id="the-1940-reference-3666-chronograph"></span>		<span id="the-1940-reference-3666-chronograph"></span>
	== The 1940 reference 3666 chronograph ==		== The 1940 reference 3666 chronograph ==
	[[File:~~Ref 3666 chronograph~~-variant.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|right\|280px\|alt=Rolex 3666 chronograph variant, 1940\|Rolex 3666 chronograph variant, 1940]]		[[File:Ref_3666_chronograph-variant.webp\|thumb\|right\|280px\|alt=Rolex 3666 chronograph variant, 1940\|Rolex 3666 chronograph variant, 1940]]

Admin: Layout: restore the original lead caption

2026-09-06T23:00:08Z

Layout: restore the original lead caption

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:00, 6 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
	[[File:Ref 3666 hero.jpg\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 3666\|Rolex 3666]]		[[File:Ref 3666 hero.jpg\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 3666 Submarine Hermetique, first variant\|Rolex 3666 Submarine Hermetique, first variant]]
	</div>		</div>

Admin: Layout: hero refreshed

2026-09-06T22:54:48Z

Layout: hero refreshed

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:54, 6 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
	[[File:Ref 3666 hero.jpg\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 3666 ~~Submarine Hermetique, first variant~~\|Rolex 3666 ~~Submarine Hermetique, first variant~~]]		[[File:Ref 3666 hero.jpg\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 3666\|Rolex 3666]]
	</div>		</div>

Admin: Layout: hero promoted to lead

2026-09-06T22:30:02Z

Layout: hero promoted to lead

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:30, 6 September 2026
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	<small>[[Reference:bubbleback\|Oyster & Bubbleback]] › '''3666'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:bubbleback\|Oyster & Bubbleback]] › '''3666'''</small>

			<div class="rp-lead">
			[[File:Ref 3666 hero.jpg\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 3666 Submarine Hermetique, first variant\|Rolex 3666 Submarine Hermetique, first variant]]
			</div>

	The 3666 is a pre-Oyster Rolex Submarine in the original 1920s sense of that name, not in the later dive-watch sense. It is the clearest surviving example of the Finger double-case system Rolex sold before the Oyster replaced it.		The 3666 is a pre-Oyster Rolex Submarine in the original 1920s sense of that name, not in the later dive-watch sense. It is the clearest surviving example of the Finger double-case system Rolex sold before the Oyster replaced it.

	<span id="core-facts"></span>		<span id="core-facts"></span>
	~~[[File:Ref 3666 hero.jpg\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=Rolex 3666 Submarine Hermetique first variant\|Rolex 3666 Submarine Hermetique, first variant]]~~
	== Core facts ==		== Core facts ==

Admin: site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

2026-09-05T01:21:29Z

site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:21, 5 September 2026
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	}}		}}

	<small>[[Reference:bubbleback\|Oyster & Bubbleback]] -> '''3666'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:bubbleback\|Oyster & Bubbleback]] › '''3666'''</small>

	The 3666 is a pre-Oyster Rolex Submarine in the original 1920s sense of that name, not in the later dive-watch sense. It is the clearest surviving example of the Finger double-case system Rolex sold before the Oyster replaced it.		The 3666 is a pre-Oyster Rolex Submarine in the original 1920s sense of that name, not in the later dive-watch sense. It is the clearest surviving example of the Finger double-case system Rolex sold before the Oyster replaced it.
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	== Core facts ==		== Core facts ==

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable rp-facts"
	\|-		\|-
	! detail		! detail

Admin: site-wide: domain move BezelBase → Rolexopedia (rolexopedia.net)

2026-09-05T00:37:36Z

site-wide: domain move BezelBase → Rolexopedia (rolexopedia.net)

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:37, 5 September 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 3666}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 3666}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex 3666 — Production, Dials & Serial Ranges \| ~~BezelBase~~		\|title=Rolex 3666 — Production, Dials & Serial Ranges \| Rolexopedia
	\|description=The 3666 is a pre-Oyster. Before Rolex settled on the three-piece screwed case that defined everything from late 1926 onward, Wilsdorf was already selling…		\|description=The 3666 is a pre-Oyster. Before Rolex settled on the three-piece screwed case that defined everything from late 1926 onward, Wilsdorf was already selling…
	\|keywords=Rolex, 3666, Submarine, specifications, reference guide		\|keywords=Rolex, 3666, Submarine, specifications, reference guide

Admin: Hard rule 5: remove dealer names from body prose (re-attribute to author byline / generalize)

2026-08-08T17:59:41Z

Hard rule 5: remove dealer names from body prose (re-attribute to author byline / generalize)

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:59, 8 August 2026
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	The 3666 has no deep auction history at the major houses, which is typical for Rolex references of the pre-Oyster period. Too early, too small, and too operationally awkward to hold broad modern appeal. The watch's public-market trail runs through specialist dealers and smaller lots at the major houses.		The 3666 has no deep auction history at the major houses, which is typical for Rolex references of the pre-Oyster period. Too early, too small, and too operationally awkward to hold broad modern appeal. The watch's public-market trail runs through specialist dealers and smaller lots at the major houses.

	The 3666 has a small but real market record. Bold Timepieces anchors the best-known Cargills Ceylon example, Bonhams has catalogued a c.1925 Hermetic Submarine, and ~~Connoisseur of Time has documented~~ the same architecture ~~from~~ the dealer side. That is enough to keep the reference grounded even if auction depth is thin.		The 3666 has a small but real market record. Bold Timepieces anchors the best-known Cargills Ceylon example, Bonhams has catalogued a c.1925 Hermetic Submarine, and the same case architecture is documented on the dealer side. That is enough to keep the reference grounded even if auction depth is thin.

	The market for the early Hermetic is a niche inside a niche. Examples in good condition with original enamel dials trade modestly compared to later Rolex sport references; the absence of any dive heritage, chronograph complication, or auction-house framing narrative keeps prices well below what the historical significance might suggest. A collector buying a 3666 is buying a documentary object, not a performance piece.		The market for the early Hermetic is a niche inside a niche. Examples in good condition with original enamel dials trade modestly compared to later Rolex sport references; the absence of any dive heritage, chronograph complication, or auction-house framing narrative keeps prices well below what the historical significance might suggest. A collector buying a 3666 is buying a documentary object, not a performance piece.