Reference:Movements: Difference between revisions

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The early Oyster chronograph references use Valjoux ébauches, with Rolex caliber designations that should be kept distinct from the maker’s base number. Available auction records support a limited Cal. 13 / Valjoux 23-family entry. Ebauches S.A.'s 1951 technical guide labels a two-pusher, 13-ligne movement “VZ 23” ([https://myretrowatches.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Valjoux-VZ-23-Technical-Guide.pdf technical guide, 2nd edition March 1953]). That nomenclature does not establish Rolex fitment. The Cal. 13 evidence discussed here concerns the 3525 and does not identify every early Rolex chronograph movement.

For ref. [[Reference:2057|2057]], Phillips describes a manual movement. The 2026 FutureGrail catalogue transcription attributes a 13-ligne Valjoux base by Reymond Frères and 17 jewels; its photograph shows the Rolex signature and jewel count, while the caliber and maker remain unreadable. Treat this as a lot attribution, not a confirmed caliber assignment.

Ref. [[Reference:2021|2021]] is a pre-Oyster monopusher. Published descriptions give movement sizes from 13 to 16½ lignes; Uhrenkosmos names a Valjoux VZ in one early monopusher, while auction catalogues describe different executions. The available records do not support a reference-wide caliber assignment. Keep these descriptions separate from the Cal. 13 entry below. [https://www.uhrenkosmos.com/rolex-daytona-seine-technik-und-geschichte/ Uhrenkosmos, early monopusher movement] [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/115419 Phillips, case 12'010] [https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0795/rolex---rarissimo-cronografo-due-contatori-da-polso-monopulsante-in-ac-270066 Cambi, steel case 14xxx]

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The Cal. 300 examples described here have no identified shock-protection system. Incabloc dates the start of its production to 1933 and the later lyre-spring design to 1938. Those dates alone cannot establish the fittings in a particular Prince.

Several UK auction catalogues treat the three- and four-digit numbers found on movements in refs 1862, 1490, and 1855 as calibers. The documented numbers are 510, 579, 841, 1004, 1130, and 1439, with weaker evidence for 701 and a single record of 1759. They are almost certainly movement serials read from the plate. Continental catalogues identify the same movement class by grade and the T.S. size code instead. Cal. 414 and Cal. 527 have no documented connection to the Rolex Prince. The number 971A is a Prince case reference, not an established caliber designation; Antiquorum catalogued that reference in 1989 with a T.S./300-family movement. Fabsuisse labels the movement in its separate ref. 3937 dealer listing “Cal. 971A,” but the auction records reviewed here do not confirm that designation. Treat it as an unverified dealer attribution unless a readable movement marking supports it.

Several UK auction catalogues treat the three- and four-digit numbers found on movements in refs 1862, 1490, and 1855 as calibers. The documented numbers are 510, 579, 841, 1004, 1130, and 1439, with weaker evidence for 701 and a single record of 1759. They are almost certainly movement serials read from the plate. A 2024 Alexandre Landre listing of ref. 1855 calls another movement “Rolex 318”; its lot photographs do not show a readable marking, so this remains an unverified catalogue label. Continental catalogues identify the same movement class by grade and the T.S. size code instead. Cal. 414 and Cal. 527 have no documented connection to the Rolex Prince. The number 971A is a Prince case reference, not an established caliber designation; Antiquorum catalogued that reference in 1989 with a T.S./300-family movement. Fabsuisse labels the movement in its separate ref. 3937 dealer listing “Cal. 971A,” but the auction records reviewed here do not confirm that designation. Treat it as an unverified dealer attribution unless a readable movement marking supports it.

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|-

| 510

| Prince Brancard ref. 1855, serial 143**, circa 1930

| Prince Brancard ref. 1855, case 14368 (Bonhams photograph); Christie’s separately identifies case 14382, circa 1930

| "17-jewel Cal.510 manual wind movement tested to 8 positions"

| 8-~~position adjustment~~, ~~against the more typical 6~~

| Bonhams photograph shows 510 and 17 Rubies on case 14368; a separate Alexandre Landre listing calls another ref. 1855 movement Rolex 318, without a readable mark. [https://www.alexandrelandre.com/lot/148418/25180425-rolex-prince-ref-1855-montre-bracelet-en-acier-et-deux Alexandre Landre, lot 30]

|-

| 579

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=== Cal. 635 ===

Cal. 635 belongs to the early automatic family related to Cal. 620. General movement references describe a subsidiary-seconds layout, 17 jewels and a larger movement than the 9¾-ligne measurements in two 3130 auction entries. Antiquorum catalogued 3130 cases 54932 and 474617 with Cal. 635, 19 jewels, 9¾ lignes and subsidiary seconds ([lot 256](https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-256); [lot 169](https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-169)). Christie's identified case 443093 as Cal. 635 with 19 jewels but centre seconds ([2007 lot 2858](https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5008631)). The latter catalogue description conflicts with the usual seconds layout. Without a visible caliber stamp, keep the centre-seconds attribution attached to that lot; do not treat it as a confirmed Cal. 635 variant.

Cal. 635 belongs to the early automatic family related to Cal. 620. General movement references describe a subsidiary-seconds layout, 17 jewels and a larger movement than the 9¾-ligne measurements in two 3130 auction entries. Antiquorum catalogued 3130 cases 54932 and 474617 with Cal. 635, 19 jewels, 9¾ lignes and subsidiary seconds ([lot 256](https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-256); [lot 169](https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-169)). Christie's identified case 443093 as Cal. 635 with 19 jewels but centre seconds ([2007 lot 2858](https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5008631)). The latter catalogue description conflicts with the usual seconds layout. Without a visible caliber stamp, keep the centre-seconds attribution attached to that lot; do not treat it as a confirmed Cal. 635 variant. Anderson & Garland also attributes manual-wind Cal. 635 to a 5052 with an incomplete 663xxx case serial and movement no. 319xx. Stockholms Auktionsverk's case 663654 photographs show an automatic rotor and list movement no. 31883/F37.519. The similar serial prefix may refer to the same case, but the different movement number and winding descriptions leave the relationship unresolved. [https://www.andersonandgarland.com/auction/lot/lot-421---a-rolex-oyster-perpetual-stainless-steel-wristwatch/?lot=371857&sd=1 Anderson & Garland, lot 421] [https://auctionet.com/fi/2105792-rolex-bubleback-rannekello-teras-automaatti-1950-luku Stockholms Auktionsverk, lot 2105792]

Antiquorum's 2008 catalogue assigns Cal. 635 to ref. [[Reference:3716|3716]], case 156649, and describes a 9¾-ligne, 19-jewel movement. That listing conflicts with the Cal. 620 attribution in Marcus Siems's Empire study; the movement-size description does not by itself establish a numeric caliber. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-209-284 Antiquorum, lot 284].

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 The early Oyster chronograph references use Valjoux ébauches, with Rolex caliber designations that should be kept distinct from the maker’s base number. Available auction records support a limited Cal. 13 / Valjoux 23-family entry. Ebauches S.A.'s 1951 technical guide labels a two-pusher, 13-ligne movement “VZ 23” ([https://myretrowatches.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Valjoux-VZ-23-Technical-Guide.pdf technical guide, 2nd edition March 1953]). That nomenclature does not establish Rolex fitment. The Cal. 13 evidence discussed here concerns the 3525 and does not identify every early Rolex chronograph movement.
+For ref. [[Reference:2057|2057]], Phillips describes a manual movement. The 2026 FutureGrail catalogue transcription attributes a 13-ligne Valjoux base by Reymond Frères and 17 jewels; its photograph shows the Rolex signature and jewel count, while the caliber and maker remain unreadable. Treat this as a lot attribution, not a confirmed caliber assignment.
 Ref. [[Reference:2021|2021]] is a pre-Oyster monopusher. Published descriptions give movement sizes from 13 to 16½ lignes; Uhrenkosmos names a Valjoux VZ in one early monopusher, while auction catalogues describe different executions. The available records do not support a reference-wide caliber assignment. Keep these descriptions separate from the Cal. 13 entry below. [https://www.uhrenkosmos.com/rolex-daytona-seine-technik-und-geschichte/ Uhrenkosmos, early monopusher movement] [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/115419 Phillips, case 12'010] [https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0795/rolex---rarissimo-cronografo-due-contatori-da-polso-monopulsante-in-ac-270066 Cambi, steel case 14xxx]
@@ Line 119: / Line 121: @@
 The Cal. 300 examples described here have no identified shock-protection system. Incabloc dates the start of its production to 1933 and the later lyre-spring design to 1938. Those dates alone cannot establish the fittings in a particular Prince.
-Several UK auction catalogues treat the three- and four-digit numbers found on movements in refs 1862, 1490, and 1855 as calibers. The documented numbers are 510, 579, 841, 1004, 1130, and 1439, with weaker evidence for 701 and a single record of 1759. They are almost certainly movement serials read from the plate. Continental catalogues identify the same movement class by grade and the T.S. size code instead. Cal. 414 and Cal. 527 have no documented connection to the Rolex Prince. The number 971A is a Prince case reference, not an established caliber designation; Antiquorum catalogued that reference in 1989 with a T.S./300-family movement. Fabsuisse labels the movement in its separate ref. 3937 dealer listing “Cal. 971A,” but the auction records reviewed here do not confirm that designation. Treat it as an unverified dealer attribution unless a readable movement marking supports it.
+Several UK auction catalogues treat the three- and four-digit numbers found on movements in refs 1862, 1490, and 1855 as calibers. The documented numbers are 510, 579, 841, 1004, 1130, and 1439, with weaker evidence for 701 and a single record of 1759. They are almost certainly movement serials read from the plate. A 2024 Alexandre Landre listing of ref. 1855 calls another movement “Rolex 318”; its lot photographs do not show a readable marking, so this remains an unverified catalogue label. Continental catalogues identify the same movement class by grade and the T.S. size code instead. Cal. 414 and Cal. 527 have no documented connection to the Rolex Prince. The number 971A is a Prince case reference, not an established caliber designation; Antiquorum catalogued that reference in 1989 with a T.S./300-family movement. Fabsuisse labels the movement in its separate ref. 3937 dealer listing “Cal. 971A,” but the auction records reviewed here do not confirm that designation. Treat it as an unverified dealer attribution unless a readable movement marking supports it.
 <span id="cal-300-ts"></span>
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 |-
 | 510
-| Prince Brancard ref. 1855, serial 143**, circa 1930
+| Prince Brancard ref. 1855, case 14368 (Bonhams photograph); Christie’s separately identifies case 14382, circa 1930
 | "17-jewel Cal.510 manual wind movement tested to 8 positions"
-| 8-position adjustment, against the more typical 6
+| Bonhams photograph shows 510 and 17 Rubies on case 14368; a separate Alexandre Landre listing calls another ref. 1855 movement Rolex 318, without a readable mark. [https://www.alexandrelandre.com/lot/148418/25180425-rolex-prince-ref-1855-montre-bracelet-en-acier-et-deux Alexandre Landre, lot 30]
 |-
 | 579
@@ Line 535: / Line 537: @@
 === Cal. 635 ===
-Cal. 635 belongs to the early automatic family related to Cal. 620. General movement references describe a subsidiary-seconds layout, 17 jewels and a larger movement than the 9¾-ligne measurements in two 3130 auction entries. Antiquorum catalogued 3130 cases 54932 and 474617 with Cal. 635, 19 jewels, 9¾ lignes and subsidiary seconds ([lot 256](https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-256); [lot 169](https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-169)). Christie's identified case 443093 as Cal. 635 with 19 jewels but centre seconds ([2007 lot 2858](https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5008631)). The latter catalogue description conflicts with the usual seconds layout. Without a visible caliber stamp, keep the centre-seconds attribution attached to that lot; do not treat it as a confirmed Cal. 635 variant.
+Cal. 635 belongs to the early automatic family related to Cal. 620. General movement references describe a subsidiary-seconds layout, 17 jewels and a larger movement than the 9¾-ligne measurements in two 3130 auction entries. Antiquorum catalogued 3130 cases 54932 and 474617 with Cal. 635, 19 jewels, 9¾ lignes and subsidiary seconds ([lot 256](https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-256); [lot 169](https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-169)). Christie's identified case 443093 as Cal. 635 with 19 jewels but centre seconds ([2007 lot 2858](https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5008631)). The latter catalogue description conflicts with the usual seconds layout.  Without a visible caliber stamp, keep the centre-seconds attribution attached to that lot; do not treat it as a confirmed Cal. 635 variant. Anderson & Garland also attributes manual-wind Cal. 635 to a 5052 with an incomplete 663xxx case serial and movement no. 319xx. Stockholms Auktionsverk's case 663654 photographs show an automatic rotor and list movement no. 31883/F37.519. The similar serial prefix may refer to the same case, but the different movement number and winding descriptions leave the relationship unresolved. [https://www.andersonandgarland.com/auction/lot/lot-421---a-rolex-oyster-perpetual-stainless-steel-wristwatch/?lot=371857&sd=1 Anderson & Garland, lot 421] [https://auctionet.com/fi/2105792-rolex-bubleback-rannekello-teras-automaatti-1950-luku Stockholms Auktionsverk, lot 2105792]
 Antiquorum's 2008 catalogue assigns Cal. 635 to ref. [[Reference:3716|3716]], case 156649, and describes a 9¾-ligne, 19-jewel movement. That listing conflicts with the Cal. 620 attribution in Marcus Siems's Empire study; the movement-size description does not by itself establish a numeric caliber. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-209-284 Antiquorum, lot 284].