Admin: Clarify archived auction citation labels

2026-10-09T02:05:33Z

Clarify archived auction citation labels

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:05, 9 October 2026
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	==Where it sits in the line==		==Where it sits in the line==

	Christie’s calls the 4643 the first non-Oyster watch to use the Perpetual movement; a separate Christie’s lot calls it an Oyster Perpetual.<ref name="christies-1940s"/><ref name="christies-group-2013">[https://www.collectorsquare.com/montres/rolex/rolex-precision/ref-rolex-4643/lpi Christie’s, Geneva, 13 May 2013, lot 165; catalogue ~~record reproduced by Collector Square~~.]</ref> The ''Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' lists a square yellow-gold chronometer, while Antiquorum and HVMC apply “Bubbleback” to individual examples.<ref name="field-manual-4643">[https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf Colin A. White, ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'', reference table, entry 4643.]</ref><ref name="hvmc-2024">[https://hvmc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Catalogue_Montres_Decembre2024_vfinal_BD.pdf HVMC Monaco, December 2024 catalogue, lot 55.]</ref><ref name="antiquorum-2025-hk"/>		Christie’s calls the 4643 the first non-Oyster watch to use the Perpetual movement; a separate Christie’s lot calls it an Oyster Perpetual.<ref name="christies-1940s"/><ref name="christies-group-2013">[https://www.collectorsquare.com/montres/rolex/rolex-precision/ref-rolex-4643/lpi Christie’s, Geneva, 13 May 2013, lot 165 (archived catalogue entry).]</ref> The ''Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' lists a square yellow-gold chronometer, while Antiquorum and HVMC apply “Bubbleback” to individual examples.<ref name="field-manual-4643">[https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf Colin A. White, ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'', reference table, entry 4643.]</ref><ref name="hvmc-2024">[https://hvmc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Catalogue_Montres_Decembre2024_vfinal_BD.pdf HVMC Monaco, December 2024 catalogue, lot 55.]</ref><ref name="antiquorum-2025-hk"/>

	“Square Perpetual” is used here as a neutral working label.		“Square Perpetual” is used here as a neutral working label.
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	\| Christie’s, London, 2003 \|\| 97 \|\| 14 ct gold; case 568342; silver dial; snap-on back; 28 mm \|\| GBP 1,997<ref name="christies-14k"/>		\| Christie’s, London, 2003 \|\| 97 \|\| 14 ct gold; case 568342; silver dial; snap-on back; 28 mm \|\| GBP 1,997<ref name="christies-14k"/>
	\|-		\|-
	\| Christie’s, New York, 2008 \|\| 47 \|\| Pink gold; movement A78921; silvered dial with lozenge and triangular markers \|\| USD 11,250<ref name="christies-1948"/><ref name="collectorsquare-archive">[https://www.collectorsquare.com/montres/rolex/rolex-precision/ref-rolex-4643/lpi ~~Collector Square, LuxPrice Index~~, ref. 4643 ~~auction archive~~.]</ref>		\| Christie’s, New York, 2008 \|\| 47 \|\| Pink gold; movement A78921; silvered dial with lozenge and triangular markers \|\| USD 11,250<ref name="christies-1948"/><ref name="collectorsquare-archive">[https://www.collectorsquare.com/montres/rolex/rolex-precision/ref-rolex-4643/lpi Archived auction-results index, ref. 4643.]</ref>
	\|-		\|-
	\| Antiquorum, Geneva, 2006 \|\| 5 \|\| 18K yellow gold; case 641390; 8¾-ligne movement; 28 × 28 mm \|\| CHF 8,850<ref name="antiquorum-2006"/>		\| Antiquorum, Geneva, 2006 \|\| 5 \|\| 18K yellow gold; case 641390; 8¾-ligne movement; 28 × 28 mm \|\| CHF 8,850<ref name="antiquorum-2006"/>

Admin: Publish researched reference 4643 article

2026-10-09T02:03:10Z

Publish researched reference 4643 article

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{{#seo:
|title=Rolex 4643 — Square Perpetual, Dial Variants and Auction Records | Rolexopedia
|description=Rolex ref. 4643 is a square gold automatic watch documented in 1940s and early-1950s auction records. Compare its case, movement descriptions and dial variants.
|keywords=Rolex 4643, Rolex Perpetual, square Rolex, Bubble Back Square, Super Precision, vintage Rolex, Calibre 520
|image=Ref_4643_hero.webp
|image_alt=Yellow-gold Rolex reference 4643 with a square case, silver dial and small seconds
|type=article
|og_type=article
|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
}}

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 4643 square Perpetual}}

<small>[[Reference:bubbleback|Early Perpetuals and Bubblebacks]] → '''4643'''</small>

<div class="rp-lead">[[File:Ref_4643_hero.webp|thumb|center|640px|alt=Yellow-gold Rolex ref. 4643 with silver dial and applied markers|Antiquorum, 2017 lot 339; catalogued as a late-1940s example.]]</div>

Ref. 4643 is a square-cased automatic Rolex with subsidiary seconds. Catalogues variously call it a Perpetual, an Oyster Perpetual, or a Bubbleback; this page uses “square Perpetual.”

==Core facts==

{| class="wikitable"
! Detail !! Documented record
|-
| Model wording || Auction titles use “Perpetual” and “Officially Certified Chronometer”; Christie’s also uses “Super Precision” for its 1952 example.<ref name="antiquorum-2017">[https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-4643-lot-307-339 Antiquorum, Geneva, 14 May 2017, lot 339.]</ref><ref name="christies-1952">[https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5612415 Christie's, ref. 4643, case 824'707, 1952.]</ref>
| Display || Hours, minutes and subsidiary seconds<ref name="antiquorum-1994">[https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-126-143 Antiquorum, Geneva, 15 October 1994, lot 143.]</ref><ref name="christies-2003">[https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4211171 Christie's, Watches, 17 December 2003, lot 97.]</ref>
| Case || Square, usually described as about 28 × 28 mm. Other listings give 26 mm length, 36 mm length, 28 × 29 mm, or 28 × 37 mm including lugs.<ref name="christies-10k">[https://www.christies.com/lot/rolex-a-10k-gold-square-wristwatch-signed-5573110/?intObjectID=5573110&lid=1 Christie's, ref. 4643, circa 1950.]</ref><ref name="christies-1948">[https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5057719 Christie's, ref. 4643, circa 1948.]</ref><ref name="antiquorum-2025">[https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-4643-perpetual-lot-377-464 Antiquorum, Geneva, 10 May 2025, lot 464.]</ref><ref name="antiquorum-2025-hk">[https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-4643-bubbleback-lot-378-241 Antiquorum, Hong Kong, 31 May 2025, lot 241.]</ref>
| Case metals || Auction records describe 10K, 14 ct and 18 ct gold examples, in yellow and pink/rose gold<ref name="christies-10k"/><ref name="christies-14k"/><ref name="finarte-2025">[https://www.finarte.it/auction/fine-watches-milan-2025-12-15/rolex-cioccolatino-4643-rose-gold-178999?lang=en Finarte, Milan, 15 December 2025, lot 186.]</ref>
| Movement || Automatic with subsidiary seconds. Lot descriptions give 8¾- and 9¾-ligne sizes. Ineichen names Cal. 620 on one 1940s example; Antiquorum’s 2006 note separately mentions Cal. 520.<ref name="antiquorum-2002">[https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-25-111 Antiquorum, New York, 13 March 2002, lot 111.]</ref><ref name="antiquorum-2006">[https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-5 Antiquorum, Geneva, 14 May 2006, lot 5.]</ref><ref name="ineichen-2017">[https://ineichen.com/upload/iblock/2fe/sy5t0kgrsmh01eycyb7x6dv935lixtef.pdf Ineichen, Auction 166, 2017, p. 143.]</ref>
| Dated records || Auction catalogues date examples to the 1940s and 1952; factory production endpoints remain unresolved<ref name="christies-1940s">[https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-203849 Christie's, model 4643, 1940s.]</ref><ref name="christies-1952"/><ref name="antiquorum-2006"/>
|}

==Where it sits in the line==

Christie’s calls the 4643 the first non-Oyster watch to use the Perpetual movement; a separate Christie’s lot calls it an Oyster Perpetual.<ref name="christies-1940s"/><ref name="christies-group-2013">[https://www.collectorsquare.com/montres/rolex/rolex-precision/ref-rolex-4643/lpi Christie’s, Geneva, 13 May 2013, lot 165; catalogue record reproduced by Collector Square.]</ref> The ''Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' lists a square yellow-gold chronometer, while Antiquorum and HVMC apply “Bubbleback” to individual examples.<ref name="field-manual-4643">[https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf Colin A. White, ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'', reference table, entry 4643.]</ref><ref name="hvmc-2024">[https://hvmc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Catalogue_Montres_Decembre2024_vfinal_BD.pdf HVMC Monaco, December 2024 catalogue, lot 55.]</ref><ref name="antiquorum-2025-hk"/>

“Square Perpetual” is used here as a neutral working label.

==Production outline==

Auction catalogues date individual examples from the 1940s to 1952. Christie’s describes the model as produced from 1946 to 1952 in one entry and from the mid-1940s to the early 1950s in another.<ref name="christies-4006201">[https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4006201 Christie's, ref. 4643, circa 1950.]</ref><ref name="christies-1952"/> Antiquorum’s 2002 Hong Kong note gives 1946–1952; its 2006 note gives 1946–1956.<ref name="antiquorum-2002-hk">[https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-29-295 Antiquorum, Hong Kong, 8 June 2002, lot 295.]</ref><ref name="antiquorum-2006"/> The auction notes leave the end date unsettled.

Auctioneers date individual cases rather than a continuous serial run. Antiquorum assigns case 641390 to 1948.<ref name="antiquorum-2006"/> Christie’s dates case 568342 to circa 1950 and case 824707 to 1952.<ref name="christies-14k">[https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4211171 Christie's, ref. 4643, case 568342, circa 1950.]</ref><ref name="christies-1952"/>

==Movement notes==

Catalogues describe automatic movements with subsidiary seconds in 8¾- or 9¾-ligne sizes. Ineichen names Cal. 620 on case A60906.<ref name="ineichen-2017"/> Antiquorum’s 2006 note mentions Cal. 520 but leaves its link to case 641390 unclear; Christie’s gives 8¾ lignes for case 824707.<ref name="antiquorum-2006"/><ref name="christies-1952"/> The records leave any caliber changeover unresolved.

{| class="wikitable"
! Catalogue !! Movement description !! Lot-specific detail
|-
| Ineichen, 2017 || Cal. 620 || Case A60906, catalogue dates it to the 1940s
|-
| Antiquorum, 2006 || 8¾′′′, 19 jewels || Case 641390, dated to 1948; Cal. 520 appears in a separate catalogue note
|-
| Christie’s, 2012 (watch dated 1952) || Cal. 8¾′′′; 16 jewels || Lot 204, case 824707
|-
| Antiquorum, 1994 and 2017 || 9¾′′′; 19 jewels || Separate 28 mm gold examples
|}

Ligne notation records a movement’s size; a numbered caliber needs a separate attribution. The catalogues leave the 9¾-ligne examples without a more exact assignment.

==Dial map==

Auction lots document several layouts; the table keeps uncommon configurations tied to their individual watches.

{| class="wikitable"
! Documented dial !! Details !! Record and limits
|-
| Matte silver with pyramidal and baton markers || Applied yellow-gold markers, dauphine hands and small seconds || Antiquorum’s 2017 example; the catalogue describes its hands as original.<ref name="antiquorum-2017"/>
|-
| White or silver with dart, lozenge or triangular markers || Examples use different applied markers; Christie’s also records down-turned lugs and a monogrammed case on one pink-gold watch || Antiquorum 2002 and Christie’s circa-1948 lot.<ref name="antiquorum-2002"/><ref name="christies-1948"/>
|-
| Glossy black with Arabic and baton numerals || Subsidiary seconds; the listed case is 10K gold and measures 26 mm in length || Christie’s circa-1950 lot; dimensions and metal apply to that watch.<ref name="christies-10k"/>
|-
| Grené cream with Roman numerals and applied markers || 18K rose-gold example, catalogued at 28 × 28 mm || Finarte, 2025.<ref name="finarte-2025"/>
|-
| Silvered matte with dagger numerals and diamond indexes at 3, 9 and 12 || Christie’s describes an 18K gold example made in 1952 || One documented gem-set dial configuration.<ref name="christies-1952"/>
|-
| Reprinted silver dial || Antiquorum identifies the dial as reprinted; this documents condition rather than an original dial branch.<ref name="antiquorum-2025"/>
|}

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref_4643_dial-variant-roman.webp|Finarte, 2025 lot 186: grené cream dial with Roman numerals and applied markers.
File:Ref_4643_dial-variant-reprinted.webp|Antiquorum, 2025 lot 464: silver dial identified in the condition report as reprinted.
</gallery>

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

Catalogues describe stepped sides, straight lugs and a domed crystal. Antiquorum’s 2017 Geneva and 2025 Hong Kong examples have snap-on backs; Christie’s records the same construction on its 1952 watch.<ref name="antiquorum-2017"/><ref name="antiquorum-2025-hk"/><ref name="christies-1952"/>

Most catalogued examples measure about 28 mm square. Christie’s gives 26 mm length for a 10K example and 36 mm for a monogrammed pink-gold case; Antiquorum gives 28 × 29 mm for its 2025 Hong Kong example and 28 × 37 mm including lugs for another. The listings use different measurements, with no explanation of the method.<ref name="antiquorum-1994"/><ref name="antiquorum-2006"/><ref name="antiquorum-2025"/><ref name="antiquorum-2025-hk"/><ref name="christies-10k"/><ref name="christies-1948"/>

The front-view photographs show a crown at three o’clock. The catalogues leave its type unnamed.<ref name="antiquorum-2017"/><ref name="finarte-2025"/>

==Bracelets, end links, and clasps==

The cited examples are shown on leather straps. Christie’s records signed Rolex gold buckles; Finarte describes its Rolex buckle as gold-plated. Bracelet fitment and original delivery remain unverified.<ref name="christies-1500834">[https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-1500834 Christie's, ref. 4643, movement A78794.]</ref><ref name="finarte-2025"/>

==Auction record==

{| class="wikitable"
! Sale !! Lot !! Example described by the catalogue !! Result
|-
| Antiquorum, Geneva, 1994 || 143 || 18 ct gold; silver dial; 9¾-ligne movement; 28 × 28 mm || CHF 6,900<ref name="antiquorum-1994"/>
|-
| Antiquorum, New York, 2002 || 111 || 18K pink gold; white dial with dart markers; 8¾-ligne movement; 28 × 28 mm || USD 4,140<ref name="antiquorum-2002"/>
|-
| Christie’s, London, 2003 || 97 || 14 ct gold; case 568342; silver dial; snap-on back; 28 mm || GBP 1,997<ref name="christies-14k"/>
|-
| Christie’s, New York, 2008 || 47 || Pink gold; movement A78921; silvered dial with lozenge and triangular markers || USD 11,250<ref name="christies-1948"/><ref name="collectorsquare-archive">[https://www.collectorsquare.com/montres/rolex/rolex-precision/ref-rolex-4643/lpi Collector Square, LuxPrice Index, ref. 4643 auction archive.]</ref>
|-
| Antiquorum, Geneva, 2006 || 5 || 18K yellow gold; case 641390; 8¾-ligne movement; 28 × 28 mm || CHF 8,850<ref name="antiquorum-2006"/>
|-
| Christie’s, Hong Kong, 2012 || 4997 || 10K gold; glossy black dial; Arabic and baton numerals; 26 mm length || HKD 11,250 (USD 1,448)<ref name="christies-10k"/><ref name="collectorsquare-archive"/>
|-
| Christie’s, Geneva, 2012 || 204 || Case 824707; 18K gold; diamond-set indexes; 8¾-ligne movement; watch dated 1952 || CHF 6,875<ref name="christies-1952"/><ref name="collectorsquare-archive"/>
|-
| Antiquorum, Geneva, 2017 || 339 || 18K yellow gold; silver dial; 9¾-ligne movement; 28 × 28 mm || —<ref name="antiquorum-2017"/>
|-
| Finarte, Milan, 2025 || 186 || 18K rose gold; grené cream dial with Roman numerals; 28 × 28 mm || €5,040 including buyer’s premium<ref name="finarte-2025"/>
|-
| Antiquorum, Geneva, 2025 || 464 || 18K pink gold; 9¾-ligne movement; 28 × 37 mm including lugs; dial reprinted || CHF 8,125<ref name="antiquorum-2025"/>
|-
| Antiquorum, Hong Kong, 2025 || 241 || 18K yellow gold; case 95966; 9¾-ligne movement; 28 × 29 mm; dial reprinted || HKD 22,500<ref name="antiquorum-2025-hk"/>
|}

== Gallery ==

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref_4643_hero.webp|Antiquorum, 2017 lot 339: yellow-gold example with silver dial and subsidiary seconds.
File:Ref_4643_dial-variant-roman.webp|Finarte, 2025 lot 186: cream Roman-numeral dial.
File:Ref_4643_dial-variant-reprinted.webp|Antiquorum, 2025 lot 464: reprinted silver dial.
</gallery>

== Sources ==

* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-203849 Christie's, "Christie's — Rolex model 4643, pink-gold square Perpetual, 1940s", Christie's]
* [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-1500834 Christie's, "Christie's — ref. 4643, square gold Perpetual, 1950s, movement A78794", Christie's]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4006201 Christie's, "Christie's — ref. 4643 yellow-gold square Perpetual, circa 1950", Christie's]
* [https://www.christies.com/lot/rolex-a-10k-gold-square-wristwatch-signed-5573110/?intObjectID=5573110&lid=1 Christie's, "Christie's — ref. 4643, 10K gold square watch, circa 1950", Christie's, 2012]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5612415 Christie's, "Christie's — ref. 4643 diamond-set 18K gold square watch, 1952", Christie's, 2012]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5057719?ldp_breadcrumb=back Christie's, "Christie's — ref. 4643, pink-gold square Super Precision, circa 1948", Christie's]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4211171 Christie's, "Christie's — Watches, lot 97, ref. 4643 case 568342, circa 1950", Christie's, 2003]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-126-143 Antiquorum, "Antiquorum Geneva — ref. 4643 Perpetual chronometer, lot 143", Antiquorum, 1994-10-15]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-25-111 Antiquorum, "Antiquorum New York — ref. 4643 Perpetual, lot 111", Antiquorum, 2002-03-13]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-5 Antiquorum, "Antiquorum Geneva — The Mondani Collection, ref. 4643, lot 5", Antiquorum, 2006-05-14]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-4643-lot-307-339 Antiquorum, "Antiquorum Geneva — ref. 4643, lot 339", Antiquorum, 2017-05-14]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-4643-perpetual-lot-377-464 Antiquorum, "Antiquorum Geneva — ref. 4643 Perpetual, lot 464", Antiquorum, 2025-05-10]
* [https://www.finarte.it/auction/fine-watches-milan-2025-12-15/rolex-cioccolatino-4643-rose-gold-178999?lang=en Finarte, "Finarte Milan — ref. 4643 Cioccolatino, lot 186", Finarte, 2025-12-15]
* [https://hvmc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Catalogue_Montres_Decembre2024_vfinal_BD.pdf HVMC, "HVMC Monaco — ref. 4643 Bubble Back Square, case A78794, lot 55", HVMC, 2024-12-09]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-29-295 Antiquorum, "Antiquorum Hong Kong — ref. 4643, lot 295", Antiquorum, 2002-06-08]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-4643-bubbleback-lot-378-241 Antiquorum, "Antiquorum Hong Kong — ref. 4643 Bubbleback, lot 241", Antiquorum, 2025-05-31]
* [https://ineichen.com/upload/iblock/2fe/sy5t0kgrsmh01eycyb7x6dv935lixtef.pdf Ineichen, "Ineichen Auction 166 — Rolex Precision Perpetual ref. 4643, movement C.620", Ineichen, 2017-11-11]
* [https://www.collectorsquare.com/montres/rolex/rolex-precision/ref-rolex-4643/lpi Collector Square, "Collector Square LuxPrice Index — Rolex ref. 4643 auction records", Collector Square / LuxPrice Index]
* [https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0b5fdf83/files/uploaded/1.0%20RolexBook-23Mar.pdf Colin A. White, "The Vintage Rolex Field Manual — reference table entry 4643", Morning Tundra, 2020]

[[Category:Bubbleback]]

Reference:4643 - Revision history

Admin: Clarify archived auction citation labels

Admin: Publish researched reference 4643 article