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Reference:4220: Difference between revisions

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Deep audit: ground 4220 Speedking dial, movement and market claims; fix lead image placement
Deep correctness and anti-slop audit: qualify 4220 dial and movement claims, remove market language, fix image placement and add footer gallery
 
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{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Rolex Oyster Perpetual 4220 — Production, Dials & Serial Ranges | Rolexopedia
|title=Rolex Oyster Perpetual 4220 — Production, Dials & Serial Ranges | Rolexopedia
|description=The 4220 is the Speedking-line reference most closely associated with the defining 1940s Rolex look: a 30mm stainless steel Oyster, a California…
|description=The 4220 is a small manual-wind Oyster reference documented with Speedking, Royal, Royalite, California, sector, and silvered dials. Case size, movement description, and dial originality vary by surviving example.
|keywords=Rolex, 4220, Oyster, specifications, reference guide
|keywords=Rolex, 4220, Oyster, specifications, reference guide
|image=Ref 4220 hero.webp
|image=Ref 4220 hero.webp
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“Speedking” is a model name used on some Oyster Precision dials. The 4220 is also documented with other dial names, including Royal and Royalite. Centre seconds, dial text, case, and movement should be checked together; the dial name alone is not a complete identification test.
“Speedking” is a model name used on some Oyster Precision dials. The 4220 is also documented with other dial names, including Royal and Royalite. Centre seconds, dial text, case, and movement should be checked together; the dial name alone is not a complete identification test.


Reference 4270 is a separate gold-cased reference often grouped with the Speedking line. It should not be counted as a 4220, and the sources checked here do not establish mechanical identity or a fixed price difference.
Reference 4270 is a separate gold-cased reference often grouped with the Speedking line. It should not be counted as a 4220; the sources checked here do not establish mechanical identity.


The Precision line included manual-wind Oysters alongside the automatic Bubbleback range. The sources checked here do not establish a complete buyer profile or pricing strategy for the line. The Bubbleback carried the Perpetual rotor and the dome caseback; the Precision stayed manual-wind and flat. Within that line the 4220 is the centre-seconds variant, sitting alongside the sub-seconds Imperial and Royalite dials and below the gold-cased 4270.
The Precision line included manual-wind Oysters alongside the automatic Bubbleback range. The sources checked here do not establish a complete buyer profile for the line. The Bubbleback carried the Perpetual rotor and dome caseback; the Precision stayed manual-wind and flat. Within that line the 4220 is the centre-seconds variant, alongside sub-seconds Imperial and Royalite dials, while the gold-cased 4270 is a separate reference.


The cited 4220 records show smooth bezels. An engine-turned bezel should be checked against the individual case and reference documentation before calling it a modification or re-case.
The cited 4220 records show smooth bezels. An engine-turned bezel should be checked against the individual case and reference documentation before calling it a modification or re-case.
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<span id="case-and-construction"></span>
<span id="case-and-construction"></span>
== Case and construction ==
== Case and construction ==
[[File:Ref 4220 caseback.webp|thumb|right|250px|alt=Caseback of a Speedking, engraved case number|Caseback detail]]
The 4220 uses a small screw-back Oyster case with fixed 17 mm lugs, an acrylic crystal, and a smooth bezel. Antiquorum’s circa-1940 example measures 30 mm wide and 11 mm thick. “Dress-watch” and “tool-watch” are collector descriptions rather than Rolex categories.
The 4220 uses a small screw-back Oyster case with fixed 17 mm lugs, an acrylic crystal, and a smooth bezel. Antiquorum’s circa-1940 example measures 30 mm wide and 11 mm thick. “Dress-watch” and “tool-watch” are collector descriptions rather than Rolex categories.


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The caseback carries the period Oyster signatures. Reference number stamped inside, case serial on the lug underside, and the standard "ROLEX OYSTER" exterior engraving of the 1940s Oyster. There is no depth rating on the caseback; the 4220 pre-dates the depth-rating convention that arrives with the sport references of the 1950s.
The caseback carries the period Oyster signatures. Reference number stamped inside, case serial on the lug underside, and the standard "ROLEX OYSTER" exterior engraving of the 1940s Oyster. There is no depth rating on the caseback; the 4220 pre-dates the depth-rating convention that arrives with the sport references of the 1950s.
[[File:Ref 4220 caseback.webp|thumb|right|250px|alt=Caseback of a Speedking, engraved case number|Caseback detail]]


<span id="multiple-calibers-across-the-run"></span>
<span id="multiple-calibers-across-the-run"></span>
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The cited records use more than one movement description for 4220 examples. The article does not treat that as proof of a factory-wide caliber sequence.
The cited records use more than one movement description for 4220 examples. The article does not treat that as proof of a factory-wide caliber sequence.


Antiquorum’s circa-1940 lot identifies a 10½ H, 17-jewel movement with a Superbalance and Breguet spring. Other movement descriptions should be checked against the watch. A Kew or other observatory record is provenance for that movement and watch; the available evidence here does not establish a fixed price effect.
Antiquorum’s circa-1940 lot identifies a 10½ H, 17-jewel movement with a Superbalance and Breguet spring. Other movement descriptions should be checked against the watch. A Kew or other observatory record is provenance for that movement and watch; its significance should be assessed with the individual record.


Some listings use a 9¾-line description. The checked sources do not establish whether this is a catalogue convention, a different movement, or a service substitution; inspect the movement markings.
Some listings use a 9¾-line description. The checked sources do not establish whether this is a catalogue convention, a different movement, or a service substitution; inspect the movement markings.
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Some dealer records describe Cal. 710 movements with 15 jewels. The checked evidence does not prove that these are service replacements or original production variants; record the movement and any service history separately.
Some dealer records describe Cal. 710 movements with 15 jewels. The checked evidence does not prove that these are service replacements or original production variants; record the movement and any service history separately.


For a 4220 review, identify the movement number, jewel count, signatures, and any service or observatory record. Do not infer originality or price from the calibre label alone.
For a 4220 review, identify the movement number, jewel count, signatures, and any service or observatory record. Do not infer originality from the calibre label alone.


<span id="dial-variants"></span>
<span id="dial-variants"></span>
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Documented 4220 dials include mixed Roman-and-Arabic, Arabic, sector, gilt, and silvered layouts. Colours and luminous treatments vary between examples; this is not a complete factory variant list.
Documented 4220 dials include mixed Roman-and-Arabic, Arabic, sector, gilt, and silvered layouts. Colours and luminous treatments vary between examples; this is not a complete factory variant list.


Dial text across all variants reads "ROLEX / OYSTER / SPEEDKING / PRECISION" in four lines, typically with "ROLEX" at twelve, the "Speedking" line centered, and "PRECISION" at the base above the six. “Speedking” appears on many 4220 dials, but other names are documented under the reference. Case, seconds layout, dial text, and movement should be assessed together.
The cited Speedking examples read "ROLEX / OYSTER / SPEEDKING / PRECISION" in four lines, typically with "ROLEX" at twelve, the "Speedking" line centered, and "PRECISION" above six. Other dial names are documented under the reference, so this layout is not universal. Case, seconds layout, dial text, and movement should be assessed together.


Hand variants correlate with dial era. Mercedes blued hands with radium plots belong to the California-dial window (1941–1949). Alpha (leaf-shaped) hands replaced Mercedes around 1950 and continued through the late production run. Skeleton/dauphine hands and gilt batons appear on some examples, typically mid-to-late production. Matching ageing can support an originality assessment, but it does not prove that dial and hands are original; mismatched ageing is a reason for closer inspection.
Hand variants correlate with dial era. Mercedes blued hands with radium plots belong to the California-dial window (1941–1949). Alpha (leaf-shaped) hands replaced Mercedes around 1950 and continued through the late production run. Skeleton/dauphine hands and gilt batons appear on some examples, typically mid-to-late production. Matching ageing can support an originality assessment, but it does not prove that dial and hands are original; mismatched ageing is a reason for closer inspection.
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California dial originality requires comparison of printing, luminous material, hands, surface finish, and provenance. Dealer descriptions often make originality claims, but a single listing is not proof. Matching lume can support an assessment and cannot establish it alone.
California dial originality requires comparison of printing, luminous material, hands, surface finish, and provenance. Dealer descriptions often make originality claims, but a single listing is not proof. Matching lume can support an assessment and cannot establish it alone.


Two-tone and gold-plated cases. Two-tone SS-with-gold 4220s are documented but less common than plain stainless. Gold-plated variants exist and should be checked for plating wear at the lug tips and caseback edges — heavy wear reduces value sharply. Solid-gold claims on a 4220 should be treated skeptically; the solid-gold Speedking sibling is ref 4270, not 4220.
Two-tone and gold-plated cases. Two-tone SS-with-gold 4220s are documented but less common than plain stainless. Gold-plated variants exist and should be checked for plating wear at the lug tips and caseback edges — heavy wear should be recorded as part of the condition assessment. Solid-gold claims on a 4220 should be treated skeptically; the solid-gold Speedking sibling is ref 4270, not 4220.


Price anchoring: use dated auction results and condition-specific dealer records. The available sample is too small and mixed to support a general range or a rule for asking prices.
Use dated auction results and condition-specific dealer records when comparing examples. The available sample is too small and mixed to support a reference-wide conclusion.




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See also the [[Reference:Movements|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers|serial numbers by year]].
See also the [[Reference:Movements|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers|serial numbers by year]].
<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref 4220 hero.webp|Rolex Oyster 4220 Speedking, cream dial
File:Ref 4220 caseback.webp|4220 caseback detail and serial engraving
</gallery>


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/fine-watches-8/reference-4220-oyster-perpetual-a-stainless-steel Sotheby's, Rolex Reference 4220 Oyster Perpetual, circa 1943]
* ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra
* ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/ Bob's Watches — 4220]
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/ Bob's Watches — 4220]
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