Cased in an array of metals and fitted with a variety of dials, ‘bubble back’ watches were in production for over 22 years, from the early Thirties to the mid Fifties. For many years, the ‘bubble back’ wristwatch was Rolex’s best selling model.

At the time of production, the ‘bubble back’ was officially named the ‘Oyster Perpetual’. The nickname ‘bubble back’ derived from the convex shape of the case back used to house the new automatic winding system, which replaced the mechanical mechanism.

Reference 3372 was first introduced to the market in 1940. At the time of production, the model’s appearance was very unusual. The watch featured a 'machine' bezel, showcasing a threaded design that is still very appealing and eye catching today.

John Goldberger's Opinion

This ‘bubble back’ is wonderful. Given the popularity of the watch during its day, many surviving watches have been altered at some point, which makes original examples very rare.

This watch is fitted with a completely original two-tone dial with Arabic 9-12-3 luminous numerals, and still retains original luminous to the hands. The case is particularly stunning, with crisp numbers behind the case back that would have disappeared with even the slightest of polishing. The lugs and case are full in their proportions. The bezel furthermore features deep threading, which is a defining characteristic of reference 3372. The Oyster crown is furthermore original to the watch, adding another element of delight.