1044Σ
Rolex
Ref. 4130
'Bubble back'
A rare yellow gold wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and black lacquer dial
- Estimate
- HK$40,000 - 60,000€4,700 - 7,000$5,000 - 7,500
HK$65,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1938
- Reference No
- 4130
- Movement No
- 29'364
- Case No
- 52'995
- Model Name
- 'Bubble back'
- Material
- 18k yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Black crocodile leather strap
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18k yellow gold <em>Rolex </em>buckle
- Dimensions
- 31.5 mm. diameter
- Signed
- <em>Case, dial and movement signed </em>
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
From the early 1930s and onwards for another twenty odd years, Rolex produced automatic wristwatches that were playfully dubbed 'bubble backs', due to the convex case back used to house the automatic movement. The present watch is a very unusual variant of the 'bubble back' due to the straight lugs and scroll work to the band and side of the lugs. The dial furthermore still retains its glossy black lacquer, and the gilt graphics are legible and eye catching. The case is preserved in excellent condition, with the case number still very clearly engraved on the case back. The slightest polishing would immediately remove these numbers, attesting to the original condition of the watch.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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