Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1937 Reference No: 3064 Movement No: 90'356 Case No: 43'509 Model Name: 'Bubble back' Material: 18k yellow gold and stainless steel Calibre: Automatic Bracelet/Strap: Black crocodile leather strap Clasp/Buckle: Gilt Rolex buckle Dimensions: 33 mm. diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Literature: For another example of a yellow gold and stainless steel hooded reference 3064, please see Collecting Rolex Wristwatches by Osvaldo Patrizzi, page 135.
Catalogue Essay
Manufactured in 1937, the present 'Bubble back' is a superb example. Not only is the watch fitted with the sought after gold 'hoods', the dial is double signed featuring the retailer's name Gammeter, which was a jewelry store in Missouri. This watch is preserved in such wonderful condition, the case back still retains its clear and legible case number, reference number, Rolex Coronet and its correct Rolex Oyster crown.
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.