Reference:3478: Difference between revisions

[checked revision][checked revision]
Reffuter fix: correct overbroad dial-map closing claim (several dials have an inner 24-hour ring)
Reffuter fix: remove incorrect "earliest-sold" framing (the 2012 Antiquorum lot sold before the 2013 Bonhams lot)
 
(3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 24: Line 24:
Five of the ten Bonhams watches came to auction together in a single themed sale, "Watches: A
Five of the ten Bonhams watches came to auction together in a single themed sale, "Watches: A
Private Canadian Collection," and several of the reference's names, Raleigh, Viceroy, Solar
Private Canadian Collection," and several of the reference's names, Raleigh, Viceroy, Solar
Aqua, and Centregraph, recur on the smaller sibling reference 2784 under an entirely different
Aqua, and Centregraph, recur on sibling reference 2784 under an entirely different
case-number band. Centre seconds appears on nine of the twelve watches; the Solar Aqua and one
case-number band. Centre seconds appears on nine of the twelve watches; the Solar Aqua and one
Oyster Commander instead carry a subsidiary seconds register at six.
Oyster Commander instead carry a subsidiary seconds register at six.
Line 91: Line 91:


Four of those names, Raleigh, Viceroy, Solar Aqua and Centregraph, are not unique to the 3478.
Four of those names, Raleigh, Viceroy, Solar Aqua and Centregraph, are not unique to the 3478.
[[Reference:2784|2784]], a smaller-cased sibling documented on a different case-number band
[[Reference:2784|2784]], a sibling reference documented on a different case-number band
running roughly 81,000-93,000 and 126,000-128,000, carries the same four names on its own
running roughly 81,000-93,000 and 126,000-128,000, carries the same four names on its own
watches. Oyster Watch Co. and the retailers selling under these names applied a shared
watches. Oyster Watch Co. and the retailers selling under these names applied a shared
Line 117: Line 117:
evidence.
evidence.


Eleven distinct case numbers are documented, from 155835 on the earliest-sold watch (a 2013
Eleven distinct case numbers are documented, from 155835, the lowest, on a 2013 Bonhams Oxford
Bonhams Oxford lot, undated beyond "an unassociated strap") to 312077 on the Antiquorum Oyster
lot undated beyond "an unassociated strap," to 312077, the highest, on the Antiquorum Oyster
Commander. The numbers do not run in a clean order against the houses' own circa-dates: the
Commander. The numbers do not run in a clean order against the houses' own circa-dates: the
"circa 1930s" Oyster Raleigh carries case 184743, higher than the "circa 1942" Oyster Standard's
"circa 1930s" Oyster Raleigh carries case 184743, higher than the "circa 1942" Oyster Standard's
Line 135: Line 135:
and Cal. 59 itself is only a family-level attribution on [[Reference:2784|2784]], unconfirmed by
and Cal. 59 itself is only a family-level attribution on [[Reference:2784|2784]], unconfirmed by
a photographed movement there. On the 3478, two independent houses name the same caliber on
a photographed movement there. On the 3478, two independent houses name the same caliber on
watches sold twelve years apart.
watches sold more than a decade apart.


Cal. 59 is not one of Rolex's Aegler-built in-house calibers. David Boettcher's research on
Cal. 59 is not one of Rolex's Aegler-built in-house calibers. David Boettcher's research on
Line 263: Line 263:


Case diameter clusters at 28-29mm for nine of the twelve watches. The Solar Aqua reaches
Case diameter clusters at 28-29mm for nine of the twelve watches. The Solar Aqua reaches
30.5mm and the Antiquorum Oyster Commander 30mm. The earliest-sold watch in the record, the
30.5mm and the Antiquorum Oyster Commander 30mm. The plain Oyster sold at Bonhams Oxford in 2013
plain Oyster from Bonhams Oxford in 2013 (case 155835), is given only as a 3.4cm case length,
(case 155835) is given only as a 3.4cm case length, roughly 34mm and well outside every other
roughly 34mm and well outside every other measurement here. No cited source explains the gap.
measurement here. No cited source explains the gap.


No catalogue in this record describes a bezel profile for any of the twelve watches, and
No catalogue in this record describes a bezel profile for any of the twelve watches, and
Line 392: Line 392:
|}
|}


Twelve auction appearances span three currencies and thirteen years, from Antiquorum's 2012 New
Twelve auction appearances span four currencies and thirteen years, from Antiquorum's 2012 New
York sale to the paired Geneva lot in 2025. The Oyster Recorda sold as lot 52 brought the
York sale to the paired Geneva lot in 2025. The Oyster Recorda sold as lot 52 brought the
highest confirmed single-watch price in the record, USD 2,048 incl. premium, in the same online
highest confirmed single-watch price in the record, USD 2,048 incl. premium, in the same online