Reference:3131: Difference between revisions
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|description=Reference guide to the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 3131, introduced around 1936 with a two-piece Oyster case, caliber 620, subsidiary seconds and documented 9K, 14K and 18K gold examples. | |description=Reference guide to the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 3131, introduced around 1936 with a two-piece Oyster case, caliber 620, subsidiary seconds and documented 9K, 14K and 18K gold examples. | ||
|keywords=Rolex, 3131, Bubbleback, specifications, reference guide | |keywords=Rolex, 3131, Bubbleback, specifications, reference guide | ||
|image= | |image=Ref_3131_hero.webp | ||
|image_alt=Rolex Bubbleback 3131 hero | |image_alt=Rolex Bubbleback 3131 hero | ||
|type=Article | |type=Article | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
The 3131 is | The 3131 is an early Rolex Bubbleback with the two-piece Oyster case. Around 1936, the 3131 and its sweep-seconds companion 3132 used a caseback that screws into the case middle, with the bezel formed as part of that middle rather than as a separate ring. Published auction and specialist records show 9K, 14K and 18K yellow- and pink-gold examples. The indexed record contains no confirmed steel 3131. | ||
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Earlier Bubblebacks used other case constructions. The 3131 uses a two-piece form that appears across later Bubbleback references, although details still vary by reference and period. | Earlier Bubblebacks used other case constructions. The 3131 uses a two-piece form that appears across later Bubbleback references, although details still vary by reference and period. | ||
Within its run, surviving 3131 examples show variation in dials, hands, case metals and retailer signatures. The 3131 and 3132 were companion references: the 3131 has subsidiary seconds, while the 3132 uses an indirect centre-seconds drive. Auction frequency is not a reliable measure of original production or survival, so | Within its run, surviving 3131 examples show variation in dials, hands, case metals and retailer signatures. The 3131 and 3132 were companion references: the 3131 has subsidiary seconds, while the 3132 uses an indirect centre-seconds drive. Auction frequency is not a reliable measure of original production or survival, so the page does not infer a ratio. | ||
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The references before 3131 establish the early Oyster Perpetual and its automatic rotor. The 3131 and 3132 then document the two-piece case form that becomes common among later Bubblebacks. That is a useful case-history marker, but surviving examples do not prove that later Oysters used identical construction. | The references before 3131 establish the early Oyster Perpetual and its automatic rotor. The 3131 and 3132 then document the two-piece case form that becomes common among later Bubblebacks. That is a useful case-history marker, but surviving examples do not prove that later Oysters used identical construction. | ||
The 3131 | The 3131 falls in the pre-war and wartime Bubbleback period. Its surviving variants are best described through case, movement, dial and hallmark evidence rather than through an assumed production strategy. | ||
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The defining technical feature of the 3131 is its case construction. On the earlier first-generation Bubbleback architecture, the bezel, mid-case, movement-holder ring and caseback combined as distinct parts to make the sealed Oyster unit. The two-piece case eliminates the internal ring. The bezel is integral to the mid-case, with the lugs, crystal seat and outer profile formed as one component. The caseback screws directly into threads cut into the mid-case. | The defining technical feature of the 3131 is its case construction. On the earlier first-generation Bubbleback architecture, the bezel, mid-case, movement-holder ring and caseback combined as distinct parts to make the sealed Oyster unit. The two-piece case eliminates the internal ring. The bezel is integral to the mid-case, with the lugs, crystal seat and outer profile formed as one component. The caseback screws directly into threads cut into the mid-case. | ||
The | The two-piece form reduces the number of sealing surfaces and makes the case thinner. Because the bezel is part of the mid-case, damage to one component affects the other. | ||
The 3131 case carries the Oyster Watch Co. signature on the caseback interior along with period-correct patent markings and hallmarks. Reference numbers between the lugs are not standard on the published 3131 examples; the reference is often engraved on the caseback interior, consistent with pre-1948 practice. Serials appear between the lugs at 6 o'clock on documented examples. | The 3131 case carries the Oyster Watch Co. signature on the caseback interior along with period-correct patent markings and hallmarks. Reference numbers between the lugs are not standard on the published 3131 examples; the reference is often engraved on the caseback interior, consistent with pre-1948 practice. Serials appear between the lugs at 6 o'clock on documented examples. | ||
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== Precious metals only == | == Precious metals only == | ||
The documented 3131 record is concentrated in precious metals. Auction and specialist examples include 9K, 14K and 18K yellow- and pink-gold cases. | The documented 3131 record is concentrated in precious metals. Auction and specialist examples include 9K, 14K and 18K yellow- and pink-gold cases. The indexed examples are precious metal; that surviving record is not a production census. | ||
The best-documented 14K yellow gold example is the Phillips NY Watch Auction SEVEN 2022 lot (case 412931, c.1946), sold with its original Rolex hangtag, an unusual survival on a watch approaching 80 years old. | The best-documented 14K yellow gold example is the Phillips NY Watch Auction SEVEN 2022 lot (case 412931, c.1946), sold with its original Rolex hangtag, an unusual survival on a watch approaching 80 years old. | ||
14K pink gold is the Sotheby's Watches Online 2020 configuration (case 473634, c.1946, silvered dial). The alloy | 14K pink gold is the Sotheby's Watches Online 2020 configuration (case 473634, c.1946, silvered dial). The alloy differs from 18K pink gold, and the cited examples include North American-market watches. | ||
18K yellow-gold examples appear in auction and dealer listings. Assay marks vary with the market of sale, so the caseback and lugs need to be read on each watch. | 18K yellow-gold examples appear in auction and dealer listings. Assay marks vary with the market of sale, so the caseback and lugs need to be read on each watch. | ||
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9K gold examples are associated with British-market watches in the specialist record. The alloy and hallmark should be verified from the case; a dealer listing alone does not establish the intended sales market or an original price position. | 9K gold examples are associated with British-market watches in the specialist record. The alloy and hallmark should be verified from the case; a dealer listing alone does not establish the intended sales market or an original price position. | ||
The indexed sources contain no confirmed stainless-steel 3131. That absence does not prove that no other material variant was made. | |||
[[File:Ref3131_pink_gold.webp|thumb|right|300px|alt=Rolex 3131 in pink gold, one of several documented precious-metal variants.|Rolex 3131 in pink gold, one of several documented precious-metal variants.]] | [[File:Ref3131_pink_gold.webp|thumb|right|300px|alt=Rolex 3131 in pink gold, one of several documented precious-metal variants.|Rolex 3131 in pink gold, one of several documented precious-metal variants.]] | ||
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=== Case number observations === | === Case number observations === | ||
The three documented cases span roughly 51,699 (c.1938) through 473,634 (c.1946), a range consistent with the broad 1936–1948 dating used by the family guide. The sample is too small to infer production batches. | The three documented cases span roughly 51,699 (c.1938) through 473,634 (c.1946), a range consistent with the broad 1936–1948 dating used by the family guide. The sample is too small to infer production batches. The indexed auction record contains no confirmed post-1948 example; that absence does not establish an end date. | ||
The reference is generally placed in the late-1930s and 1940s Bubbleback period. Later two-piece references, including 3065, 3372, 4220 and early 4467 examples, overlap the same broad era. Exact production totals and a precise replacement date are not documented in the sources | The reference is generally placed in the late-1930s and 1940s Bubbleback period. Later two-piece references, including 3065, 3372, 4220 and early 4467 examples, overlap the same broad era. Exact production totals and a precise replacement date are not documented in the cited sources. | ||
<span id="what-the-3131-established"></span> | <span id="what-the-3131-established"></span> | ||
<span id="What_the_3131_established"></span> | <span id="What_the_3131_established"></span> | ||
== | == Place in Bubbleback history == | ||
The 3131 | The 3131 records two early Rolex design developments: the two-piece Oyster case and the 620-family automatic movement. | ||
The two-piece Oyster case appears across many later Bubbleback references, including 2940, 2764 and 3065. The exact case, bezel and movement details still need to be checked by reference; this page uses the 3131 as an early dated example of the form. | The two-piece Oyster case appears across many later Bubbleback references, including 2940, 2764 and 3065. The exact case, bezel and movement details still need to be checked by reference; this page uses the 3131 as an early dated example of the form. | ||
Cal. 620 sits in the 620/630/635/645 movement lineage used across later Bubblebacks. Caliber 1030, introduced around 1950, brought a thinner automatic package and a flatter case profile. The family relationship | Cal. 620 sits in the 620/630/635/645 movement lineage used across later Bubblebacks. Caliber 1030, introduced around 1950, brought a thinner automatic package and a flatter case profile. The family relationship provides context, but individual movement attribution still depends on the movement inside the watch. | ||
The surviving 3131 record is concentrated in precious-metal cases. That material pattern should not be treated as a direct commercial template for later Rolex families. | The surviving 3131 record is concentrated in precious-metal cases. That material pattern should not be treated as a direct commercial template for later Rolex families. | ||
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See also the [[Reference:bubbleback|Bubbleback family index]], [[Reference:Movements|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers|serial numbers by year]]. | See also the [[Reference:bubbleback|Bubbleback family index]], [[Reference:Movements|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers|serial numbers by year]]. | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="180"> | <gallery mode="packed" heights="180"> | ||
File:Ref_3131_hero.webp|alt=Rolex Bubbleback 3131|Rolex Bubbleback 3131 | File:Ref_3131_hero.webp|alt=Rolex Bubbleback 3131|Rolex Bubbleback 3131 | ||
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* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/NY080322/64 Phillips NY Watch Auction SEVEN Lot 64 — Rolex ref 3131 14K YG c.1946] — Phillips | * [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/NY080322/64 Phillips NY Watch Auction SEVEN Lot 64 — Rolex ref 3131 14K YG c.1946] — Phillips | ||
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/watches-online-2/rolex-bubbleback-ref-3131-pink-gold-wristwatch-2 Sotheby's Watches Online — Rolex ref 3131 14K PG c.1946 silvered dial] — Sotheby's | * [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/watches-online-2/rolex-bubbleback-ref-3131-pink-gold-wristwatch-2 Sotheby's Watches Online — Rolex ref 3131 14K PG c.1946 silvered dial] — Sotheby's | ||
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/watches-weekly-geneva-3 Sotheby's Watches Weekly Geneva — Rolex ref 3131 18K PG c.1938 pink dial] — Sotheby's | |||
* [https://www.windvintage.com/rolex-oyster-perpetual-bubbleback-reference-3131 Wind Vintage — Rolex Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback Reference 3131] — Wind Vintage | * [https://www.windvintage.com/rolex-oyster-perpetual-bubbleback-reference-3131 Wind Vintage — Rolex Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback Reference 3131] — Wind Vintage | ||
* [https://www.windvintage.com/blog/how-rolex-became-rolex-the-automatic-perpetual-movement-part-2 Wind Vintage — How Rolex Became Rolex: The Automatic Perpetual Movement Part 2] — Charlie Dunne / Wind Vintage, Wind Vintage | * [https://www.windvintage.com/blog/how-rolex-became-rolex-the-automatic-perpetual-movement-part-2 Wind Vintage — How Rolex Became Rolex: The Automatic Perpetual Movement Part 2] — Charlie Dunne / Wind Vintage, Wind Vintage | ||