Reference:3548: Difference between revisions

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The 3548 is ~~one of two standard references —~~ alongside the sub-seconds 3716 ~~— built~~ in the case style collectors call the ~~"Empire"~~ Oyster~~: classically~~ round, ~~32mm~~, ~~but~~ with elongated~~, rectangular,~~ sloped lugs ~~distinct from~~ the hooded-lug ~~treatment most~~ Bubblebacks ~~of the period carry~~. ~~Specialist research on Rolex~~'s ~~early Oyster~~ case history ~~documents~~ the ~~type~~ as chronometer-~~certified and automatic throughout, placing it firmly inside~~ the ~~Bubbleback family despite~~ the ~~case's unusual silhouette~~.

The 3548 is documented alongside the sub-seconds 3716 in the case style collectors call the “Empire” Oyster. The cited examples are round, about 32 mm, with elongated sloped lugs rather than the hooded-lug profile common on many Bubblebacks. Goldammer's case-history research describes the group as automatic and chronometer-marked; the auction records here establish those details only for the individual lots.

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== Movement notes ==

~~Self-winding~~, ~~chronometer-certified. The~~ Bonhams~~-catalogued example specifies a jewelled automatic~~ movement~~, numbered~~ 93792.

The cited auction records describe automatic movements, and Bonhams records movement number 93792. The chronometer wording belongs to the individual dial or catalogue description; no caliber number is published for the lot.

== Dial map ==

The Bonhams-documented example carries a salmon (orange-toned) dial: black Arabic numerals ~~for the hour markers~~, a black outer track ~~dividing fifths of a second~~ with Arabic 5-minute markers, blued ~~steel~~ pointed baton hands, and gilt centre seconds — a ~~notably colorful~~ dial ~~treatment next to the silver and black dials more common across the wider Bubbleback range~~.

The Bonhams-documented example carries a salmon or orange-toned dial with black Arabic numerals, a black outer fifth-second track with Arabic five-minute markers, blued pointed baton hands, and gilt centre seconds. Those details describe that lot; they do not establish a complete 3548 dial inventory.

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32mm round stainless steel case, brushed and polished finish, screw-down case back and crown, and the elongated rectangular sloped lugs that define the "Empire" style. ~~Rolex's earlier manually~~-~~wound~~ Oyster ~~cases of this general~~ period ~~showed considerable variability in shape; the automatic "Empire" Bubblebacks were built~~ to this ~~one consistent~~ silhouette.

32mm round stainless steel case, brushed and polished finish, screw-down case back and crown, and the elongated rectangular sloped lugs that define the "Empire" style. The cited 3548 examples share the round case and elongated sloped-lug profile. Other Oyster references from the period should be compared from their own case records rather than assumed to share this silhouette.

== Related references ==

* [[Reference:3353|Bubbleback 3353]] — same broader generation, tonneau case

* [[Reference:3353|Bubbleback 3353]]: same broader generation, tonneau case.

* [[Reference:3131|Bubbleback 3131]] — earliest automatic reference, same family

* [[Reference:3131|Bubbleback 3131]]: earliest automatic reference, same family.

* [[Reference:3133|Bubbleback 3133]] — same era, pink gold and steel

* [[Reference:3133|Bubbleback 3133]]: same era, pink gold and steel.

See also the [[Reference:oyster-perpetual|Oyster Perpetual family index]], [[Reference:Movements|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers|serial numbers by year]].

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-The 3548 is one of two standard references — alongside the sub-seconds 3716 — built in the case style collectors call the "Empire" Oyster: classically round, 32mm, but with elongated, rectangular, sloped lugs distinct from the hooded-lug treatment most Bubblebacks of the period carry. Specialist research on Rolex's early Oyster case history documents the type as chronometer-certified and automatic throughout, placing it firmly inside the Bubbleback family despite the case's unusual silhouette.
+The 3548 is documented alongside the sub-seconds 3716 in the case style collectors call the “Empire” Oyster. The cited examples are round, about 32 mm, with elongated sloped lugs rather than the hooded-lug profile common on many Bubblebacks. Goldammer's case-history research describes the group as automatic and chronometer-marked; the auction records here establish those details only for the individual lots.
 <span id="core-facts"></span>
@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 == Movement notes ==
-Self-winding, chronometer-certified. The Bonhams-catalogued example specifies a jewelled automatic movement, numbered 93792.
+The cited auction records describe automatic movements, and Bonhams records movement number 93792. The chronometer wording belongs to the individual dial or catalogue description; no caliber number is published for the lot.
 <span id="dial-map"></span>
 == Dial map ==
-The Bonhams-documented example carries a salmon (orange-toned) dial: black Arabic numerals for the hour markers, a black outer track dividing fifths of a second with Arabic 5-minute markers, blued steel pointed baton hands, and gilt centre seconds — a notably colorful dial treatment next to the silver and black dials more common across the wider Bubbleback range.
+The Bonhams-documented example carries a salmon or orange-toned dial with black Arabic numerals, a black outer fifth-second track with Arabic five-minute markers, blued pointed baton hands, and gilt centre seconds. Those details describe that lot; they do not establish a complete 3548 dial inventory.
 <gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
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 [[File:Ref 3548 crown.webp|thumb|right|220px|alt=Rolex 3548 case flank and screw-down crown|Case flank and screw-down crown, Bonhams sale 27810, lot 268 example]]
-mm round stainless steel case, brushed and polished finish, screw-down case back and crown, and the elongated rectangular sloped lugs that define the "Empire" style. Rolex's earlier manually-wound Oyster cases of this general period showed considerable variability in shape; the automatic "Empire" Bubblebacks were built to this one consistent silhouette.
+mm round stainless steel case, brushed and polished finish, screw-down case back and crown, and the elongated rectangular sloped lugs that define the "Empire" style. The cited 3548 examples share the round case and elongated sloped-lug profile. Other Oyster references from the period should be compared from their own case records rather than assumed to share this silhouette.
 == Related references ==
-* [[Reference:3353|Bubbleback 3353]] — same broader generation, tonneau case
+* [[Reference:3353|Bubbleback 3353]]: same broader generation, tonneau case.
-* [[Reference:3131|Bubbleback 3131]] — earliest automatic reference, same family
+* [[Reference:3131|Bubbleback 3131]]: earliest automatic reference, same family.
-* [[Reference:3133|Bubbleback 3133]] — same era, pink gold and steel
+* [[Reference:3133|Bubbleback 3133]]: same era, pink gold and steel.
 See also the [[Reference:oyster-perpetual|Oyster Perpetual family index]], [[Reference:Movements|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers|serial numbers by year]].