Reference:1381

Early Rolex wristwatches → 1381

Rolex ref. 1381, Toovey’s, lot 1165, 15 October 2026

Three catalogue records describe rectangular, manual-wind Rolex watches as ref. 1381. Christie's dates two examples to 1930; its case 69217 and Toovey's example also carry Glasgow import marks dated that year. The records document more than one case and dial configuration, but give no production span or settled family name.

Core facts

Detail	Documented record
Reference	1381, identified in Christie's and Toovey's catalogues
Type	Rectangular, manual-wind wristwatch
Documented dates	Two catalogue dates and two sets of Glasgow import marks refer to 1930; production span unknown
Case materials	18ct gold; one Christie's lot describes yellow gold with white-gold flared sides
Measurements	33 × 15 mm, 32 × 20 mm, and 32 × 15 mm in separate catalogue descriptions
Movement	15-jewel Prima or Extra Prima labels; numbered caliber unconfirmed
Dial	Gilt or silvered dials with Arabic numerals; one is described as quartered
Family	Unassigned; the catalogues use descriptive watch types rather than a family name

Where it sits in the line

Christie's calls one example a lady's watch and the other a small rectangular wristwatch; Toovey's also describes a lady's watch. Those catalogue descriptions leave ref. 1381's family name unsettled.

Production outline

Christie's dates both catalogue examples to 1930. Its case 69217 and Toovey's example also carry Glasgow import marks dated to that year. The marks document an import to Glasgow in 1930; they do not date manufacture. These records place ref. 1381 examples around 1930, while leaving the production span unknown.

Movement notes

All three catalogues describe hand-wound movements. Christie's calls one a 15-jewel Prima and another a 15-jewel Extra Prima, both timed to six positions. Toovey's reports a 15-ruby Prima, six-position timing, and a Rolex hairspring. The records give no numbered caliber or dated movement changeover.

The movement in Toovey’s lot 1165, described as a 15-ruby Prima timed to six positions

Dial map

The three catalogues describe a gilt Arabic dial, a quartered silvered Arabic dial on case 69217, and a silvered dial with black Arabic numerals. They record individual configurations rather than a sequence of dial changes.

Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes

Each catalogue describes a rectangular case. Christie's gives 33 × 15 mm for its 18ct-gold example, with stepped lugs and a snap-on back. Its case 69217 measures 32 × 20 mm and combines a yellow-gold body with white-gold flared sides. The lot description records a snap-on back and Glasgow import marks dated 1930, and says the case, dial, and movement are signed. Toovey's gives 32 × 15 mm for its 18ct-gold example and describes stepped bracelet mounts. It records “2590” above “1381” on the caseback; the catalogue does not identify the first number. Since the catalogues do not define their measurement axes consistently, each dimension belongs to its individual lot.

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  Toovey’s lot 1165: movement marked Prima, 15 rubies and timed to six positions
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  The caseback marks transcribed by Toovey’s: 2590 above 1381
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  Stepped case profile and crown, Toovey’s lot 1165

Bracelets, end links, clasps, and packaging notes

Toovey's describes a gilt-metal double-cord strap. The three catalogue records provide no bracelet, end-link, clasp, box, or papers specification for the reference.

Special branches

The two-colour case with white-gold flared sides is the clearest documented case variant. These records do not say whether it was a regular option or a special order.

Historical market and auction record

Record	Catalogue date	Details
Christie's, sale 8510, lot 382	1930	18ct-gold case, gilt Arabic dial, 15-jewel Prima movement
Christie's, sale 9127, lot 15, case 69217	1930	Yellow gold with white-gold flared sides, quartered silvered dial, 15-jewel Extra Prima
Toovey's, lot 1165, 15 October 2026	Glasgow import marks dated 1930	18ct-gold case, silvered Arabic dial, 15-ruby Prima; hammer price £700

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  Toovey’s, lot 1165: front view
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  Toovey’s, lot 1165: movement marked Prima, 15 rubies
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  Toovey’s, lot 1165: interior caseback and movement
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  Toovey’s, lot 1165: exterior caseback and import marks
• 
  Toovey’s, lot 1165: stepped case profile

Sources

• "Christie's, Rolex ref. 1381, lot 382, Watches and Wristwatches, sale 8510", Christie's
• "Christie's, Rolex ref. 1381, case no. 69217, lot 15, Rolex Watches, sale 9127", Christie's
• "Toovey's, Rolex ref. 1381, lot 1165, 15 October 2026", Toovey's
• "Toovey's, Wristwatches and Pocket Watches sale, 15 October 2026, lot 1165", Toovey's, 2026-10-15