View full screen - View 1 of Lot 180. Reference 3009 Chronometer 'Scientific' | A yellow gold wristwatch with enamel sector dial, Circa 1937.

100 Years of Oyster

Rolex

Reference 3009 Chronometer 'Scientific' | A yellow gold wristwatch with enamel sector dial, Circa 1937

Auction Closed

June 15, 08:08 PM GMT

Estimate

7,000 - 14,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Dial: enamel sector

Caliber: mechanical, 18 jewels

Movement number: 10'936

Case: 18k yellow gold, screw-down case back

Case number: 39'069

Closure: 18k yellow gold Rolex buckle

Size: 31 mm diameter

Signed: case, dial and movement

Box: no

Papers: no

Beyond its striking case geometry, the true soul of the Reference 3009 lies in its highly specialized "Scientific" sector dial. This layout was not a mere stylistic choice; it was an explicit calculation tool engineered for high-consequence environments. Designed for professionals who required absolute precision—such as scientists, doctors, and engineers—the dial serves as a analog computer for measuring fractions of a second.

The dial's construction and layout are defined by two key elements:


  • Two-Part Enamel Composition: While standard silvered, metal, or painted dials of the era inevitably succumbed to the elements, rusting, or fading into a dull patina—the Reference 3009 utilizes a premium two-part enamel technique. This masterful craftsmanship ensures the dial retains an immutable, brilliant white finish that remains as crisp today as it was over a century ago.
  • The Sector Layout: The dial's geometry is divided into strict concentric zones. The outermost ring is explicitly calibrated to track individual seconds, while the inner ring meticulously divides each second into precise 1/5th graduations.

The result is a timeless instrument where uncompromising utility dictated every line, rendering the Rolex Reference 3009 a rare, pristine monument to the dawn of the professional tool watch.