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Reference:pre-daytona-chronographs: Difference between revisions

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Add ref. 3346 to pre-Daytona index and correct Oyster chronology
Add ref. 3462 to early Oyster chronographs
 
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|title=Rolex Pre-Daytona Chronographs — 1920s–1968 Guide | Rolexopedia
|title=Rolex Pre-Daytona Chronographs — 1920s–1968 Guide | Rolexopedia
|description=Rolex hand-wound chronographs from the early monopushers through the Antimagnetique and Oyster models to the 6238 and 6239.
|description=Rolex hand-wound chronographs from the early monopushers through the Antimagnetique and Oyster models to the 6238 and 6239.
|keywords=Rolex chronograph, Pre-Daytona, 2021, 2023, Antimagnetique, Monoblocco, Barilotto, 2508, 3525, 3668, 3833, 4099, 4500, 4537, 4767, 5034, 6034, 6234, 6238, Valjoux 23, Valjoux 72, vintage Rolex
|keywords=Rolex chronograph, Pre-Daytona, 2021, 2023, 3068, Antimagnetique, Monoblocco, Barilotto, 2508, 3525, 3668, 3833, 4099, 4500, 4537, 4767, 5034, 6034, 6234, 6238, Valjoux 23, Valjoux 72, vintage Rolex
|image=Pre-daytona chronographs vintage poster.webp
|image=Pre-daytona chronographs vintage poster.webp
|image_alt=Rolex pre-Daytona chronograph reference photograph
|image_alt=Rolex pre-Daytona chronograph reference photograph
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This guide follows Rolex hand-wound wrist chronographs from the early hinged-case 2021 monopusher, through the non-Oyster 2508 and Oyster 3525, to later tonneau and round Oyster models. The 6238 sits near the Cosmograph 6239 in case size, pump pushers, dial tachymeter and Valjoux 72 movement family. Collectors call it the Pre-Daytona; its production overlaps the 6239.
This guide follows Rolex hand-wound chronographs, from early pocket and wrist monopushers through non-Oyster and Oyster wrist models to the later tonneau and round Oyster chronographs. The 6238 sits near the Cosmograph 6239 in case size, pump pushers, dial tachymeter and Valjoux 72 movement family. Collectors call it the Pre-Daytona; its production overlaps the 6239.






== Early single-button chronographs (1920s–c.1940) ==
== Early single-button chronographs (catalogue dates c.1920–c.1950) ==


The 2021 is a large, hinged-case monopusher documented in gold and steel. Auction catalogues date individual examples from the 1920s into the 1930s, and disagree on movement size and the date of the same case. [[Reference:2021|See the reference file for the examples and source records.]]
The 2021 is a large, hinged-case monopusher documented in gold and steel. Auction catalogues date individual examples from the 1920s into the 1930s, and disagree on movement size and the date of the same case. [[Reference:2021|See the reference file for the examples and source records.]]
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| [[Reference:2303|2303]] || c.1926–c.1936 dated examples; endpoints unconfirmed || 26–30mm round or tonneau, snap-back; steel and gold || Manual lever, 17 jewels in cited examples; caliber not confirmed || Two registers; crown pusher on several examples, case-band pusher on one
| [[Reference:2303|2303]] || c.1926–c.1936 dated examples; endpoints unconfirmed || 26–30mm round or tonneau, snap-back; steel and gold || Manual lever, 17 jewels in cited examples; caliber not confirmed || Two registers; crown pusher on several examples, case-band pusher on one
| [[Reference:3068|3068]] || Individual catalogue dates c.1935–c.1950; production span unconfirmed || 48–49.5mm, open-face gold pocket-watch cases || Manual lever; 16.5 lignes and 17 jewels at Sotheby’s, 17 lignes at Antiquorum; caliber unidentified || Single crown-operated button; pale, black and two-tone rose-sector dials documented
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| [[Reference:3346|3346]] || Auction estimates for examples range c.1937–1942; factory span unconfirmed || Steel Oyster case, 31–32mm in auction catalogues; rotating 60-unit bezel || Manual; 10 lignes in the Field Manual and 10½ in auction descriptions; no numbered caliber established || One pusher and central seconds; hold-to-zero action in Christie's and Sotheby's descriptions, with Phillips wording differing; Zerographe and Centregraph names both occur
| [[Reference:3346|3346]] || Auction estimates for examples range c.1937–1942; factory span unconfirmed || Steel Oyster case, 31–32mm in auction catalogues; rotating 60-unit bezel || Manual; 10 lignes in the Field Manual and 10½ in auction descriptions; no numbered caliber established || One pusher and central seconds; hold-to-zero action in Christie's and Sotheby's descriptions, with Phillips wording differing; Zerographe and Centregraph names both occur
|-
| [[Reference:3462|3462]] || Individual catalogue dates: 1930s–c.1942; production span unknown || Steel Oyster case; 29–29.5mm in auction descriptions, 32mm in the Field Manual; milled or reeded bezel described || Manual, 10½-ligne in auction records and 10 lignes in the Field Manual; no numbered caliber established || Single pusher and central timing seconds; Centregraph name; dial layouts include Arabic and Roman numerals
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| [[Reference:3525|3525]] || 1939–1945 || ~35mm Monoblocco Oyster, screw-down crown and back; pump pushers || Rolex Cal. 13 (Valjoux 23 VZ base) || One of Rolex’s earliest two-pusher Oyster chronographs; earlier Oyster monopushers existed; one-piece upper case (''Monoblocco'' / ''Barilotto''); the WWII POW reference; Corporal Clive James Nutting's Stalag Luft III watch (case 185,983) was documented as sold "gratis" to Nutting in 1943
| [[Reference:3525|3525]] || 1939–1945 || ~35mm Monoblocco Oyster, screw-down crown and back; pump pushers || Rolex Cal. 13 (Valjoux 23 VZ base) || One of Rolex’s earliest two-pusher Oyster chronographs; earlier Oyster monopushers existed; one-piece upper case (''Monoblocco'' / ''Barilotto''); the WWII POW reference; Corporal Clive James Nutting's Stalag Luft III watch (case 185,983) was documented as sold "gratis" to Nutting in 1943
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* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/ Sotheby's — 3525 Monoblocco lot] (2019). Glossy black gilt steel example, case 186,144, c.1942.
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/ Sotheby's — 3525 Monoblocco lot] (2019). Glossy black gilt steel example, case 186,144, c.1942.
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/ Sotheby's — 3525 Monoblocco lot] (2020). Silvered dial steel example, case 372,822, c.1945.
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/ Sotheby's — 3525 Monoblocco lot] (2020). Silvered dial steel example, case 372,822, c.1945.
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5091717 Christie’s, ref. 3462, case 161’501, 2008]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6079995 Christie’s, ref. 3462, case 161’489, 2017]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-140-184 Antiquorum, ref. 3462, lot 184, 1992]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-66-71 Antiquorum, ref. 3462, lot 71, 2000]
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/116718 Phillips, ref. 3462, Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX]
* [https://www.phillips.com/auctions/watches Phillips — 3525 Dickins POW lot]. RAF Wing Commander Douglas S. Dickins.
* [https://www.phillips.com/auctions/watches Phillips — 3525 Dickins POW lot]. RAF Wing Commander Douglas S. Dickins.
* [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/11293/lot/164/rolex-an-attractive-pink-gold-and-stainless-steel-chronograph-wristwatchref-3668-circa-1956/ Bonhams — 3668 pink gold and steel chronograph] (17 May 2004). Catalogued "circa 1956"; estimate CHF 40,000.
* [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/11293/lot/164/rolex-an-attractive-pink-gold-and-stainless-steel-chronograph-wristwatchref-3668-circa-1956/ Bonhams — 3668 pink gold and steel chronograph] (17 May 2004). Catalogued "circa 1956"; estimate CHF 40,000.
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