Rolex Chronometre Scientific 2942
Other vintage references → 2942
Christie’s catalogues ref. 2942 as the Chronometre Scientific: a 29–30 mm gold, centre-seconds watch with a multi-scale dial and an Ultra Prima chronometer movement. Five case numbers appear in separate auction records.
Core facts
| Detail | What the records show |
|---|---|
| Reference | 2942 |
| Name | Chronometre Scientific, used by auction catalogues and on the dial |
| Family | Other vintage references; manually wound chronometer |
| Production | Auction descriptions and case marks place examples around 1937; the factory production span is unknown |
| Case | Circular, 29–30 mm in Christie’s records; snap-on back is documented |
| Materials | 9ct gold on five numbered cases; Christie’s separately catalogues an 18ct example without a case number |
| Movement | Ultra Prima chronometer; 18 jewels and six-position timing stated in several catalogues; no numbered caliber confirmed |
| Dial | Enamel examples with Arabic numerals, minute and fifth-second scales; a separate Christie’s listing describes a silvered dial |
| Seconds | Centre seconds on the auction-catalogued examples |
Where it sits in the line
The 2942 is a small, manually wound chronometer sold under the Chronometre Scientific name. Ref. 3009 uses the same dial wording; its catalogue examples have tonneau-shaped cases and appear in more materials. Auction records describe the two references separately.
Production outline
Five case numbers are documented: 30,075, 30,110/21, 30,125, 30,165 and 30,197. Glasgow import marks dated 1937 appear on cases 30,075, 30,165 and 30,197; case 30,125 carries a Dublin hallmark dated that year. Christie’s 18ct example has no published case number and remains separate from that group.
Movement notes
Christie’s and Toovey’s describe Ultra Prima chronometer movements timed to six positions; Christie’s gives 18 jewels on several examples. The photographed movement of the Waecce-listed watch is marked “Ultra Prima,” “18 Rubies” and “Timed 6 Positions.” Waecce identifies it as a 10½-line Hunter. Auction listings describe the movements by grade, jewel count and timing; they supply no movement size or numbered caliber. This article lists the movement under Ultra Prima. See the movement guide for early manual-wind caliber attributions.
Dial map
The recurring layout in the catalogues is a white enamel dial with Arabic numerals in a recessed centre, a minute ring and an outer seconds scale divided into fifths. Christie’s describes this arrangement on cases 30,075 and 30,125; Toovey’s records an enamel Chronometre Scientific dial with a red centre-seconds hand on case 30,165. Christie’s describes a silvered dial on its unnumbered 18ct example.
Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes
Christie’s gives 30 mm for case 30,125 and describes downturned lugs there; the catalogue also records a snap-on back. Five numbered cases are described as 9ct gold; the 2000 Christie’s listing describes an 18ct gold example without a case number. The catalogues give no crystal or crown specification.
The side view below shows the case profile. The outer caseback photograph shows ref. 2942 and case number 30,197; the inside-case photograph shows maker and assay marks. Both belong to the same dealer-listed watch.
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Side profile of the Waecce-listed ref. 2942. -
Outer caseback marked 30,197 and 2942. -
Inside of the caseback, with assay marks.
Bracelets, end links, clasps, and packaging notes
Auction descriptions show leather straps on several examples. Christie’s records an associated 9ct gold brick-link bracelet and deployant clasp on case 30,125, and a leather strap with gilt Rolex buckle on case 30,110/21. The 30,125 catalogue gives no fitment history for its bracelet.
Historical market and auction record
The table separates numbered cases from listings without a matching case number. Christie’s 2002 lot 114 closely matches its 1994 lot 128, case 30,075; it may be the same watch and is counted once.
| Sale date | House and lot | Recorded example |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Mar 1994 | Christie’s, lot 128 | 9ct gold, case 30,075; Glasgow import mark dated 1937; enamel dial, centre seconds, Ultra Prima movement |
| 21 Jun 2000 | Christie’s South Kensington, lot 715 | 18ct gold; silvered dial; Ultra Prima movement; Glasgow 1937 marks; case number not stated |
| 19 Mar 2002 | Christie’s Amsterdam, lot 114 | 9ct gold; enamel dial; Glasgow marks; no case number; may be the 1994 case 30,075 |
| 17 Dec 2003 | Christie’s South Kensington, lot 160 | 9ct gold, case 30,125; Dublin hallmark dated 1937; enamel dial and associated brick-link bracelet |
| Date not established | Christie’s, lot record 2957472 | 9ct gold, case 30,110/21; enamel dial, centre seconds and Ultra Prima movement |
| 17 May 2012 | Toovey’s, lot 1010 | 9ct gold, case 30,165; Glasgow 1937 mark; presentation inscription dated 10 Sep 1939 |
| 29 Jun 2022 | Trevanion, lot 57 | 9ct gold, case 30,197; Glasgow 1937 marks; catalogued not running and missing its centre-seconds hand |
Gallery
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Front view of ref. 2942. Waecce Watches. -
Closer view of the dial. Waecce Watches. -
Case profile. Waecce Watches.
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Caseback marked 30,197 and 2942. Waecce Watches.
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Inside caseback and assay marks. Waecce Watches.
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Ultra Prima movement marked 18 Rubies and Timed 6 Positions. Waecce Watches.
Sources
- "Clocks & Watches, London, 16 March 1994, lot 128 — Rolex ref. 2942, case 30,075", Christie's, 1994-03-16
- "Fine Jewellery and Watches, Amsterdam, 19 March 2002, lot 114 — Rolex ref. 2942", Christie's, 2002-03-19
- "Rolex Watches, South Kensington, 21 June 2000, lot 715 — Chronometre Scientific ref. 2942", Christie's, 2000-06-21
- "Rolex ref. 2942, case 30,110/21", Christie's
- "Watches, South Kensington, 17 December 2003, lot 160 — Rolex ref. 2942, case 30,125", Christie's, 2003-12-17
- "Wristwatches and Pocket Watches, 17 May 2012, lot 1010 — Rolex ref. 2942, case 30,165", Toovey's, 2012-05-17
- "June Fine Art and Antique Auction, 29 June 2022, lot 57 — Rolex ref. 2942, case 30,197", Trevanion, 2022-06-29
- "Sold listing — Rolex Chronometre Scientific ref. 2942", Waecce Watches