Reference:2081: Difference between revisions
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==Where it sits in the line== | ==Where it sits in the line== | ||
Rolex introduced its self-winding Perpetual rotor in 1931. Ref. 2081 examples dated before and after that change remain manual-wind. Antiquorum calls its 1920s example a “Standard Oyster” and quotes period advertising with that wording; Christie’s calls a circa-1930 watch “Oyster Imperial.” The catalogue labels belong to the named lots. | Rolex introduced its self-winding Perpetual rotor in 1931. Ref. 2081 examples dated before and after that change remain manual-wind. Antiquorum calls its 1920s example a “Standard Oyster” and quotes period advertising with that wording; Christie’s calls a circa-1930 watch “Oyster Imperial.” The catalogue labels belong to the named lots. [https://www.rolex.com/en-ca/about-rolex/history/1926-1945 Rolex, Perpetual rotor history] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-66-31 Antiquorum, lot 31] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6079990 Christie’s, lot 6079990] | ||
==Production outline== | ==Production outline== | ||
Antiquorum dates a 32 mm stainless-steel example to the 1920s. Christie’s dates a steel Oyster Imperial with a 32 mm case to circa 1930 and a separate 9K-gold cushion Oyster to circa 1930. A Christie's catalogue links another 9K example, case 37'271, to a Glasgow import letter for 1937. Toovey’s dates its chrome-plated watch to circa 1938. Antiquorum dates stainless-steel examples with cases 599744 and 63715 to 1947 and 1948. The dated lots place documented examples from the 1920s through 1948; their individual estimates do not supply factory start and end years. | Antiquorum dates a 32 mm stainless-steel example to the 1920s. Christie’s dates a steel Oyster Imperial with a 32 mm case to circa 1930 and a separate 9K-gold cushion Oyster to circa 1930. A Christie's catalogue links another 9K example, case 37'271, to a Glasgow import letter for 1937. Toovey’s dates its chrome-plated watch to circa 1938. Antiquorum dates stainless-steel examples with cases 599744 and 63715 to 1947 and 1948. The dated lots place documented examples from the 1920s through 1948; their individual estimates do not supply factory start and end years. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-203-675 Antiquorum, case 63715] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-66-31 Antiquorum, 1920s example] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6079990 Christie’s, circa-1930 steel example] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5130485 Christie’s, 9K gold case 37'271] [https://www.tooveys.com/lots/536665/a-rolex-oyster-chrome-plated-cushion-cased-gentlemans-wristwatch Toovey’s, lot 1065] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-226 Antiquorum, case 599744] | ||
==Movement notes== | ==Movement notes== | ||
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The lot descriptions vary. Antiquorum’s 1920s watch has a 15-jewel, 10 lignes lever movement, and its 1948 example a 15-jewel Prima. Christie’s describes a circa-1930 steel example with a manual 10½ lignes movement and 17 jewels; its 9K gold example records a 15-jewel nickel-finished lever movement. Sotheby’s gives a nickel lever movement but no caliber or jewel count for its 1940s watch. | The lot descriptions vary. Antiquorum’s 1920s watch has a 15-jewel, 10 lignes lever movement, and its 1948 example a 15-jewel Prima. Christie’s describes a circa-1930 steel example with a manual 10½ lignes movement and 17 jewels; its 9K gold example records a 15-jewel nickel-finished lever movement. Sotheby’s gives a nickel lever movement but no caliber or jewel count for its 1940s watch. | ||
Antiquorum names Cal. 700 on the 1947 ref. 2081, describing a 10½ lignes Extra-Prima movement with 15 jewels. Its separate ref. 3358 Cal. 700 lot records 18 jewels. The catalogues report different jewel counts, 15 and 18, and do not explain the difference. Christie’s separately catalogues a 1930s ref. 2081 as an “Oyster Chronometer”; its 17-jewel movement is numbered 14372 and described as adjusted to seven positions. This catalogue label and movement description belong to that watch. | Antiquorum names Cal. 700 on the 1947 ref. 2081, describing a 10½ lignes Extra-Prima movement with 15 jewels. Its separate ref. 3358 Cal. 700 lot records 18 jewels. The catalogues report different jewel counts, 15 and 18, and do not explain the difference. Christie’s separately catalogues a 1930s ref. 2081 as an “Oyster Chronometer”; its 17-jewel movement is numbered 14372 and described as adjusted to seven positions. This catalogue label and movement description belong to that watch. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-225 Antiquorum, ref. 3358] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-66-31 Antiquorum, 1920s movement] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6079990 Christie’s, circa-1930 movement] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5130485 Christie’s, 9K example] [https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2006/clocks-watches-and-wristwatches-am1002/lot.160.html Sotheby’s, lot 160] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-226 Antiquorum, 1947 Cal. 700 example] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-965127 Christie’s, Oyster Chronometer ref. 2081] | ||
[[File:Ref 2081 movement.webp|thumb|right|220px|alt=Manual Rolex movement marked 15 rubies and Breguet hairspring in a ref. 2081|The movement in Toovey’s 1938 example is marked “15 Rubies” and “Breguet spring.” Photo: Toovey’s, lot 1065.]] | [[File:Ref 2081 movement.webp|thumb|right|220px|alt=Manual Rolex movement marked 15 rubies and Breguet hairspring in a ref. 2081|The movement in Toovey’s 1938 example is marked “15 Rubies” and “Breguet spring.” Photo: Toovey’s, lot 1065.]] | ||
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==Dial map== | ==Dial map== | ||
The auction records show distinct layouts. Antiquorum’s 1920s watch has a matte silver dial with applied steel Arabic numerals, an outer minute scale and subsidiary seconds. Christie’s circa-1930 steel example has a black dial with luminous Arabic and dot numerals and centre seconds; its other circa-1930 example has a black dial, Arabic and baton numerals. The 9K-gold watch with the 1937 Glasgow import letter has an enamel Arabic dial and subsidiary seconds. Sotheby’s records a white enamel Arabic dial with subsidiary seconds, while Antiquorum’s 1947 watch has white gloss and matte enamel, painted radial Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds. Its 1948 example has a two-tone silver dial with luminous Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds. Toovey’s 1938 example also has a white enamel Arabic dial and subsidiary seconds. The dated lots document these layouts, but do not place them in a transition sequence. | The auction records show distinct layouts. Antiquorum’s 1920s watch has a matte silver dial with applied steel Arabic numerals, an outer minute scale and subsidiary seconds. Christie’s circa-1930 steel example has a black dial with luminous Arabic and dot numerals and centre seconds; its other circa-1930 example has a black dial, Arabic and baton numerals. The 9K-gold watch with the 1937 Glasgow import letter has an enamel Arabic dial and subsidiary seconds. Sotheby’s records a white enamel Arabic dial with subsidiary seconds, while Antiquorum’s 1947 watch has white gloss and matte enamel, painted radial Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds. Its 1948 example has a two-tone silver dial with luminous Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds. Toovey’s 1938 example also has a white enamel Arabic dial and subsidiary seconds. The dated lots document these layouts, but do not place them in a transition sequence. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-66-31 Antiquorum, lot 31] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6079990 Christie’s, lot 6079990] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-856232 Christie’s, lot 856232] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5130485 Christie’s, lot 5130485] [https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2006/clocks-watches-and-wristwatches-am1002/lot.160.html Sotheby’s, lot 160] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-226 Antiquorum, lot 226] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-203-675 Antiquorum, lot 675] [https://www.tooveys.com/lots/536665/a-rolex-oyster-chrome-plated-cushion-cased-gentlemans-wristwatch Toovey’s, lot 1065] | ||
==Case, bezel, crystal and crown== | ==Case, bezel, crystal and crown== | ||
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The cited cushion cases measure 31 or 32 mm across. Antiquorum describes a three-body polished case with straight lugs, a screw-down back and crown; its 1948 lot also records a concave bezel and dust-protecting cap. Christie’s circa-1930 and 1930s listings also specify a screw-down crown; one calls the bezel milled. Auction catalogues call the cases water-resistant or waterproof, but give no pressure-test depth or crystal material. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-203-675 Antiquorum, lot 675] | The cited cushion cases measure 31 or 32 mm across. Antiquorum describes a three-body polished case with straight lugs, a screw-down back and crown; its 1948 lot also records a concave bezel and dust-protecting cap. Christie’s circa-1930 and 1930s listings also specify a screw-down crown; one calls the bezel milled. Auction catalogues call the cases water-resistant or waterproof, but give no pressure-test depth or crystal material. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-203-675 Antiquorum, lot 675] | ||
Catalogues disagree on materials. Antiquorum’s 2000 note says ref. 2081 was made only in stainless steel; Christie’s lists 9K-gold and chrome-and-steel examples, and Toovey’s describes a chrome-plated case. The available records do not settle the difference. | Catalogues disagree on materials. Antiquorum’s 2000 note says ref. 2081 was made only in stainless steel; Christie’s lists 9K-gold and chrome-and-steel examples, and Toovey’s describes a chrome-plated case. The available records do not settle the difference. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-66-31 Antiquorum, lot 31] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5130485 Christie’s, lot 5130485] [https://www.tooveys.com/lots/536665/a-rolex-oyster-chrome-plated-cushion-cased-gentlemans-wristwatch Toovey’s, lot 1065] | ||
[[File:Ref 2081 caseback.webp|thumb|right|220px|alt=Marked caseback photographed with the Rolex Oyster ref. 2081 sold by Toovey’s|Caseback photographed with Toovey’s ref. 2081. The catalogue records “5557 CH” over “2081.” Photo: Toovey’s, lot 1065.]] | [[File:Ref 2081 caseback.webp|thumb|right|220px|alt=Marked caseback photographed with the Rolex Oyster ref. 2081 sold by Toovey’s|Caseback photographed with Toovey’s ref. 2081. The catalogue records “5557 CH” over “2081.” Photo: Toovey’s, lot 1065.]] | ||