Reference:3666: Difference between revisions

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=== Dimensions ===

The ~~single most carefully~~ measured ~~Hermetic in~~ the ~~published record is the [https://www~~.~~vintagewatchstraps.com/blogoystercase.php vintagewatchstraps.com] example documented by David Boettcher:~~ outer case 32.35 mm overall, inner movement 21 mm, caliber 9.3 ligne (commonly rounded as "9½ ligne" in period sources). Other surfaced examples include a 33 mm sterling silver Hermetic with a white enamel dial and a 9ct pink gold "Officer's watch" configuration dated 1924. The 32–33 mm outer diameter places the Hermetic at the larger end of early 1920s wristwatches, but the ~~visible~~ dial ~~area~~ is ~~constrained by~~ the ~~need~~ to ~~fit the smaller~~ inner case inside~~. The actual dial of a 3666 is a 21 mm disc set into a 32 mm shell, with~~ the outer ~~case ring visible as a broad bezel around it~~.

The measured dimensions tell the story clearly enough. The outer case is about 32 to 33mm, but the actual dial is much smaller because the watch has to carry a full sealed inner case inside the outer shell.

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Rolex reused the reference number. In 1940, the firm fitted a Valjoux-22 antimagnetic chronograph movement into a completely different case and stamped it ref 3666. [https://www.phillips.com/auctions/watches Phillips] has sold that watch under catalog number CH080216 for CHF 162,500. It is a waterproof-cased chronograph with a tachymeter scale, pump pushers, and a round steel case in the 35–37 mm range, visually and mechanically unrelated to the 1924 Hermetic. The two watches share nothing but the four-digit reference.

~~The reuse pattern is standard for~~ Rolex ~~of the 1920s to 1940s. Four~~-digit references ~~were assigned as new cases entered the catalog~~, ~~and once~~ a ~~case was discontinued its number could be reassigned to a later, unrelated watch~~. The ~~Hermetic 3666 fell out of production by~~ the ~~late~~ 1920s when the Oyster obsoleted the architecture; the number sat unused for over a decade before being applied to the 1940 chronograph. Any dealer listing for a 3666 should be cross-checked against the movement. A 9½-ligne Hunter-type caliber with no chronograph function, ~~encased in~~ a ~~hermetic double case, is the 1924 Submarine. A~~ Valjoux~~-22~~ chronograph ~~in a single-piece waterproof case is~~ the 1940 reference~~. Two different watches, one shared number~~.

Rolex reused four-digit references regularly in this era, so a 3666 can mean two totally different watches. The movement settles it fast: a small Hunter movement means the 1920s Hermetic, a Valjoux chronograph means the later 1940 reference.

@@ Line 77: / Line 77: @@
 === Dimensions ===
-The single most carefully measured Hermetic in the published record is the [https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/blogoystercase.php vintagewatchstraps.com] example documented by David Boettcher: outer case 32.35 mm overall, inner movement 21 mm, caliber 9.3 ligne (commonly rounded as "9½ ligne" in period sources). Other surfaced examples include a 33 mm sterling silver Hermetic with a white enamel dial and a 9ct pink gold "Officer's watch" configuration dated 1924. The 32–33 mm outer diameter places the Hermetic at the larger end of early 1920s wristwatches, but the visible dial area is constrained by the need to fit the smaller inner case inside. The actual dial of a 3666 is a 21 mm disc set into a 32 mm shell, with the outer case ring visible as a broad bezel around it.
+The measured dimensions tell the story clearly enough. The outer case is about 32 to 33mm, but the actual dial is much smaller because the watch has to carry a full sealed inner case inside the outer shell.
 <span id="dial-and-hand-variants"></span>
@@ Line 113: / Line 113: @@
 Rolex reused the reference number. In 1940, the firm fitted a Valjoux-22 antimagnetic chronograph movement into a completely different case and stamped it ref 3666. [https://www.phillips.com/auctions/watches Phillips] has sold that watch under catalog number CH080216 for CHF 162,500. It is a waterproof-cased chronograph with a tachymeter scale, pump pushers, and a round steel case in the 35–37 mm range, visually and mechanically unrelated to the 1924 Hermetic. The two watches share nothing but the four-digit reference.
-The reuse pattern is standard for Rolex of the 1920s to 1940s. Four-digit references were assigned as new cases entered the catalog, and once a case was discontinued its number could be reassigned to a later, unrelated watch. The Hermetic 3666 fell out of production by the late 1920s when the Oyster obsoleted the architecture; the number sat unused for over a decade before being applied to the 1940 chronograph. Any dealer listing for a 3666 should be cross-checked against the movement. A 9½-ligne Hunter-type caliber with no chronograph function, encased in a hermetic double case, is the 1924 Submarine. A Valjoux-22 chronograph in a single-piece waterproof case is the 1940 reference. Two different watches, one shared number.
+Rolex reused four-digit references regularly in this era, so a 3666 can mean two totally different watches. The movement settles it fast: a small Hunter movement means the 1920s Hermetic, a Valjoux chronograph means the later 1940 reference.
 <span id="collecting-considerations"></span>