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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 1873 Oyster Royal}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 1873 Oyster Royal}}
{{#seo:
|title=Rolex Oyster Royal 1873 — Salmon "Scientifical" Dial & Auction Record | BezelBase
|description=The 1873 is a scarce hand-wound flat-back Oyster routinely mis-filed as a 1933 Bubbleback. Four documented auction examples, including a 9K gold London-hallmarked one, with dials, case numbers, movement grades and results.
|keywords=Rolex, 1873, Oyster Royal, Scientifical, salmon dial, flat back, reference guide
|image=Ref 1873 hero.webp
|image_alt=Rolex Oyster Royal 1873 salmon dial, case 100498
|type=Article
|og_type=article
|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
}}
<small>Oyster -> '''1873'''</small>
[[File:Ref 1873 hero.webp|thumb|right|340px|alt=Rolex Oyster Royal 1873 salmon dial, case 100498|Rolex Oyster Royal 1873, case 100498 — salmon dial with black round indexes and subsidiary seconds at 6, on a beaded steel bracelet. Antiquorum Geneva, November 2024.]]
[[File:Ref 1873 hero.webp|thumb|right|340px|alt=Rolex Oyster Royal 1873 salmon dial, case 100498|Rolex Oyster Royal 1873, case 100498 — salmon dial with black round indexes and subsidiary seconds at 6, on a beaded steel bracelet. Antiquorum Geneva, November 2024.]]


The 1873 is one of the rarest references in the early Oyster catalogue, and one of the most
The 1873 is one of the scarcer references in the early Oyster catalogue, and one of the most
consistently mis-filed. Collector reference lists place it in the 1933 founding group of
consistently mis-filed. Collector reference lists place it in the 1933 founding group of
Bubblebacks, a sibling of the 1858 with the same three-piece case and the same new Perpetual
Bubblebacks, a sibling of the 1858 with the same three-piece case and the same new Perpetual
rotor. The two examples that have actually reached public auction are neither. Both are
rotor. Every example that has reached public auction is neither. All are hand-wound and all
hand-wound, and both have flat casebacks; the 2021 Antiquorum lot says so in its title. The
have flat casebacks; the 2021 Antiquorum lot says so in its title. The dial reads Oyster Royal,
dial reads Oyster Royal, not Oyster Perpetual.
not Oyster Perpetual.


Antiquorum's own catalogue note on the 2024 Geneva example measures how thin the ground is.
Antiquorum's own catalogue note on the 2024 Geneva example measures how thin the ground is.
The house wrote that only a handful of 1873s had come to auction in the past thirty years, and
The house wrote that in the past thirty years only a handful of the rare reference 1873 had
that Antiquorum had itself offered exactly one other example. The archive bears that out. Two
appeared at auction, and that Antiquorum had itself offered exactly one other example. A
lots, both at Antiquorum, three years apart. Nothing at Phillips, Sotheby's, Christie's,
handful is the right word, and it is more than the pair Antiquorum has sold. Bonhams
Bonhams or Heritage.
catalogued two more at Knightsbridge, in September 2021 and November 2023, and one of those is
in 9K gold, which settles a question the reference's thin file had left open.


==Core facts==
==Core facts==
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in the modern sense. It sits alongside Oyster Precision, Oyster Chronometer and, on some
in the modern sense. It sits alongside Oyster Precision, Oyster Chronometer and, on some
references, Oyster Scientific, dial names that told a buyer what timing work the movement had
references, Oyster Scientific, dial names that told a buyer what timing work the movement had
received. The 1873's two documented examples happen to bracket that range: one is marked
received. The 1873's documented examples bracket that range: one is marked
Royal with an Extra Prima movement, the other Oyster Royal Chronometre with an 18-jewel
Royal with an Extra Prima movement, another Oyster Royal Chronometre with an 18-jewel
chronometer-grade movement behind a salmon "Scientifical" dial.
chronometer-grade movement behind a salmon "Scientifical" dial, and Bonhams sold a third, in
gold, also marked Oyster Royal Chronometre.


The reference sits close to the 1858 numerically, and that proximity is almost certainly why
The reference sits close to the 1858 numerically, and that proximity is almost certainly why
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==Production outline==
==Production outline==


Neither documented lot gives a year. Antiquorum dated both examples only to "circa 1930s",
Antiquorum dated both of its examples only to "circa 1930s". Bonhams is more useful. It dated
and no dealer listing, editorial article or book citation surfaced that narrows it. The 1933
its steel example circa 1939, and it dated the gold one by a London import mark for 1937,
start year that circulates for this reference comes from the same collector list that assigns
which is a hallmark rather than a catalogue estimate and puts at least one 1873 in a named
it to the wrong family, and carries no independent support.
year. The 1933 start year that circulates for this reference comes from the same collector
list that assigns it to the wrong family, and carries no independent support.


Two case numbers are on record, 48634 on the 2021 Hong Kong example and 100498 on the 2024
Four case numbers are on record: 37029 on the gold Bonhams example, 48634 on the 2021 Hong
Geneva example, a spread of roughly fifty thousand across two data points. That is
Kong example, 81343 on the 2023 Bonhams steel example and 100498 on the 2024 Geneva example.
enough to say the reference ran for a while and not enough to say anything else. No production
Bonhams also published a movement number, 11250, on the gold watch. Sixty-odd thousand numbers
figures exist in any published source.
across four cases is enough to say the reference ran for a while and not enough to say
anything else. No production figures exist in any published source.


Both documented examples are stainless steel. Whether Rolex built the 1873 in gold or
Rolex did build the 1873 in gold. Three of the four documented examples are stainless steel;
two-tone, as it did across much of the contemporary Oyster range, is simply not known from
the fourth is 9K gold, with a presentation inscription on the caseback and the London import
the surfaced record.
mark that dates it. Whether a two-tone version exists is still unknown.


==Movement notes==
==Movement notes==


Both documented movements are manually wound, and the two lots describe different grades.
All four documented movements are manually wound, and the catalogues describe different
grades.


The Hong Kong 2021 example carried an Extra Prima with 17 jewels. The Geneva 2024 example
The Hong Kong 2021 example carried an Extra Prima with 17 jewels. The Geneva 2024 example
carried an 18-jewel chronometer movement that Antiquorum's catalogue note identifies as an
carried an 18-jewel chronometer movement that Antiquorum's catalogue note identifies as an
ultra prima, which puts both of the hierarchy's upper grades on this one reference. Neither
ultra prima, which puts both of the hierarchy's upper grades on this one reference. Bonhams
catalogue names a caliber number, and no other published source supplies one.
adds two more movements. Its 1939-dated steel example is described only as a jewelled manual
wind. The 9K gold Oyster Royal Chronometre carries an 18-jewel manual wind with a screwed
balance, timed to six positions, numbered 11250. None of the four catalogues names a caliber
number, and no other published source supplies one.


Naming a caliber here would be a guess. "Extra Prima" is a grade, not a caliber. David
Naming a caliber here would be a guess. "Extra Prima" is a grade, not a caliber. David
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==Dial map==
==Dial map==


Two dials are documented, one described at length in the catalogue and one legible only from
Four dials are documented. Two come from Antiquorum, one described at length in the catalogue
the lot photography.
and one legible only from the lot photography, and two more from Bonhams.


[[File:Ref 1873 dial-detail-salmon.webp|thumb|right|300px|alt=Rolex 1873 salmon dial detail showing Oyster Royal and Chronometre text|The salmon dial in detail: ROLEX OYSTER ROYAL over CHRONOMETRE, black round indexes, blued steel hands and a sunk subsidiary seconds register at 6.]]
[[File:Ref 1873 dial-detail-salmon.webp|thumb|right|300px|alt=Rolex 1873 salmon dial detail showing Oyster Royal and Chronometre text|The salmon dial in detail: ROLEX OYSTER ROYAL over CHRONOMETRE, black round indexes, blued steel hands and a sunk subsidiary seconds register at 6.]]
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dial markings used on the ref 2765, a near-contemporary manual Oyster with the same flat-back
dial markings used on the ref 2765, a near-contemporary manual Oyster with the same flat-back
construction, so the vocabulary travelled. What has not been shown is a photographed dial
construction, so the vocabulary travelled. What has not been shown is a photographed dial
carrying either spelling: the 2765 attribution rests on dealer listings rather than on
carrying either spelling: Bonhams catalogued a 2765 under that model
catalogue photography, and the one 1873 dial that can be examined does not carry the word.
name twice, which moves the attribution from dealer listings into auction-house records, and
the one 1873 dial that can be examined does not carry the word.
Whether Rolex ever printed Scientific or Scientifical on a dial, or whether the term belongs
Whether Rolex ever printed Scientific or Scientifical on a dial, or whether the term belongs
entirely to the trade, is unresolved.
entirely to the trade, is unresolved.
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6, with blued steel hands carrying luminous inserts. It is a markedly different watch from the
6, with blued steel hands carrying luminous inserts. It is a markedly different watch from the
salmon example, dress-sector layout against plain dot indexes, on the same reference number.
salmon example, dress-sector layout against plain dot indexes, on the same reference number.
The two Bonhams dials extend the range without breaking it. The 1939 steel example carries a
silvered dial with black alternating baton and Arabic numeral hour markers, subsidiary seconds
at 6, and blued steel dagger hands with luminous inserts. The gold Oyster Royal Chronometre is
silvered with an applied gilt minute track, applied luminous Arabic numerals, subsidiary
seconds and blued leaf-form hands with luminous inserts. Subsidiary seconds at 6 is the one
constant across all four.


That is the whole documented dial range for the reference. Anything more specific about 1873
That is the whole documented dial range for the reference. Anything more specific about 1873
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[[File:Ref 1873 case-profile.webp|thumb|right|300px|alt=Rolex Oyster Royal 1873 three-quarter view of case 100498|Three-quarter view of case 100498, showing the tonneau flank and the screw-down crown.]]
[[File:Ref 1873 case-profile.webp|thumb|right|300px|alt=Rolex Oyster Royal 1873 three-quarter view of case 100498|Three-quarter view of case 100498, showing the tonneau flank and the screw-down crown.]]


Stainless steel tonneau with a screw-down caseback and screw-down crown, smooth polished
Tonneau case with a screw-down caseback and screw-down crown, smooth polished bezel, acrylic
bezel, acrylic crystal. Measured at 31mm in the 2024 catalogue and 31.5mm in the 2021
crystal. Stainless steel on three of the four documented examples, 9K gold on the fourth.
catalogue, ordinary measurement-method variance on a tonneau case, the same half-millimetre
Measured at 31mm in the 2024 catalogue, 31.5mm in the 2021 catalogue, 31mm on the gold Bonhams
spread that follows the 31/32mm Bubblebacks around.
example and 32mm on the steel one, ordinary measurement-method variance on a tonneau case, the
same spread that follows the 31/32mm Bubblebacks around.


The caseback is flat. The 2021 Hong Kong lot title puts "FLAT BACK" in capitals, which is
The caseback is flat. The 2021 Hong Kong lot title puts "FLAT BACK" in capitals, which is
Antiquorum flagging the trait as identifying rather than incidental, and neither lot
Antiquorum flagging the trait as identifying rather than incidental, and none of the four lot
description mentions a dome, a rotor or self-winding anywhere. On a reference this scarce,
descriptions mentions a dome, a rotor or self-winding anywhere. On a reference this scarce,
that is the first thing to check on any example offered for sale: a domed back on a 1873 means
that is the first thing to check on any example offered for sale: a domed back on a 1873 means
either the wrong caseback or the wrong reference.
either the wrong caseback or the wrong reference.
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2024 example came on a beaded steel bracelet of roughly 175mm, catalogued as a "Private Eyes"
2024 example came on a beaded steel bracelet of roughly 175mm, catalogued as a "Private Eyes"
bracelet. Antiquorum did not put the Rolex name on that one the way it did on the Hong Kong
bracelet. Antiquorum did not put the Rolex name on that one the way it did on the Hong Kong
rivet bracelet, and whether it left the factory on the watch is not established either way. No
rivet bracelet, and whether it left the factory on the watch is not established either way. Neither Bonhams
end-link or clasp reference is documented for the 1873 anywhere in the published record.
example came on a bracelet at all: the 1939 steel watch was on an associated brown leather
strap with an associated gilt buckle, the gold one on brown leather, again with an associated
gilt buckle. No end-link or clasp reference is documented for the 1873 anywhere in the
published record.


==Auction record==
==Auction record==
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| Extra Prima, 17 jewels
| Extra Prima, 17 jewels
| Est. HKD 40,000–60,000; result not published
| Est. HKD 40,000–60,000; result not published
|-
| Bonhams, London Knightsbridge
| 2021-09-07
| 51
| 37029
| Silvered, applied gilt minute track, luminous Arabic (9K gold)
| 18-jewel, screwed balance, 6 positions, No. 11250
| GBP 2,167.50 incl. premium
|-
| Bonhams, London Knightsbridge
| 2023-11-22
| 54
| 81343
| Silvered, alternating baton and Arabic, dagger hands
| Jewelled manual wind
| GBP 1,280 incl. premium
|-
|-
| Antiquorum, Geneva
| Antiquorum, Geneva
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|}
|}


The Geneva 2024 result is the only realised price on record for the reference. CHF 10,625
Three realised prices are on record. The Geneva 2024 salmon-dial chronometer took CHF 10,625
against an CHF 8,000–12,000 estimate is a mid-estimate result, which for a reference this
against a CHF 8,000–12,000 estimate, a mid-estimate result. Bonhams sold the 9K gold example
scarce says less about the 1873 than it might seem to: with two lots in the public record
for GBP 2,167.50 including premium in September 2021 and the 1939 steel one for GBP 1,280
there is no series to read a trend from. The Hong Kong 2021 estimate of HKD 40,000–60,000, which the
including premium in November 2023. The Hong Kong 2021 estimate of HKD 40,000–60,000, which
catalogue itself converts to CHF 4,800–7,200, put the Extra Prima example well below where the
the catalogue itself converts to CHF 4,800–7,200, put the Extra Prima example well below where
house later pitched the salmon-dial chronometer.
Antiquorum later pitched the salmon-dial chronometer. Four data points spread across three
years and three currencies are not a price history, but the salmon-dial chronometer sold well
above either Bonhams watch.


Antiquorum's prose carries the more useful number. The catalogue states that only a handful of
Antiquorum's prose carries the more useful number. The catalogue states that only a handful of
1873s had come to auction in thirty years and that the house had offered exactly one other
1873s had come to auction in thirty years and that the house had offered exactly one other
example in its entire history, which is as close to a rarity figure as this reference has. The
example in its entire history, which is as close to a rarity figure as this reference has. The
two Bonhams lots show that "a handful" was meant literally rather than as a flourish. The
Geneva watch came out of a Japanese collection.
Geneva watch came out of a Japanese collection.


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* [https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/lists/rolex-bubbleback-watches-collector-guide-1931-1950s-1235893131/ "A Collector's Guide to Rolex Bubbleback Watches, From 1931 to the 1950s", Robb Report]
* [https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/lists/rolex-bubbleback-watches-collector-guide-1931-1950s-1235893131/ "A Collector's Guide to Rolex Bubbleback Watches, From 1931 to the 1950s", Robb Report]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-223-217 "Rolex Oyster Chronometer, Ref. 2765, retailed by Murdock's, Cape Town", Antiquorum, 2009-12-09]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-223-217 "Rolex Oyster Chronometer, Ref. 2765, retailed by Murdock's, Cape Town", Antiquorum, 2009-12-09]
* [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/26685/lot/51/rolex-a-9k-gold-manual-wind-wristwatch-oyster-royal-chronometre-ref-1873-london-import-mark-for-1937/ "Rolex. A 9K gold manual wind wristwatch, Oyster Royal Chronometre, Ref: 1873, London Import mark for 1937", Bonhams, London Knightsbridge, 2021-09-07, lot 51]
* [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/28035/lot/54/rolex-a-stainless-steel-manual-wind-wristwatch-ref-1873-circa-1939/ "Rolex. A stainless steel manual wind wristwatch, Ref: 1873, Circa 1939", Bonhams, London Knightsbridge, 2023-11-22, lot 54]
* "List of Bubbleback models (user w-v-m)", RolexForums
* "List of Bubbleback models (user w-v-m)", RolexForums
[[Category:Oyster]]
[[Category:Oyster]]
[[Category:References]]
[[Category:References]]
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