194Σ
Rolex
Ref. 3372
'Bubble back'
A fine and rare pink gold wristwatch with sweep centre seconds
- Estimate
- HK$50,000 - 80,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- 1948
- Reference No
- 3372
- Movement No
- N72545
- Case No
- 616'151
- Model Name
- 'Bubble back'
- Material
- 18k pink gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Brown <em>Rolex</em> crocodile leather strap
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18k pink gold <em>Rolex </em>buckle
- Dimensions
- 32 mm. diameter
- Signed
- <em>Case, dial and movement signed</em>
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The 'bubble back' was Rolex's first water proof automatic wristwatch. The case back of these watches were rounded as to give space for the movement, hence the playful name 'bubble back'. The 'bubble back' was in production from 1933-1955. The present example is cased in pink gold and distinguished by the raised Roman numerals. Presented in very original condition, the present watch gives us a chance to marvel an important watch in Rolex's illustrious history.
Exhibited
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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