Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1950 Reference No: 5010 Movement No: 29377/N134 Case No: 655'677 Model Name: Oyster Perpetual "Bubbleback", "ANNO SANCTO" Material: Stainless steel and 18k yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 9 3/4''', 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Rolex gold plated Dimensions: 32mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
The engraving on the bezel, + ROMAE + ANNO SANCTO GENERALIS MAXIMIQUE JUBILAEI MCML , on the present watch, celebrates the Holy Year of 1950. The Jubilee Year 1950 was intended by Pope Pius XII to invite a pilgrimage to Rome and its religious sites as well as to try and establish a tranquil peace and further solidarity of the Catholic Church after the horrors of World War II.
Throughout the years, there was much speculation if Rolex actually ever produced this watch, as only a period advertisement was known. With the appearance of the present watch years ago, an end was put to this discussion, demonstrating that Rolex scholarship will most likely never be completed, but instead continues with incredible discoveries instead.
It goes without saying that the present "Anno Sancto" reference 5010 is one of the rarest Rolex watches. Its close to mint condition, still retaining its period Rolex calf leather bracelet and buckle further adding to the exclusivity of the present "Bubbleback".
Founded 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.