Rolex Big Bubbleback 18k rose gold ref 5030 from 1948 勞力士大泡泡背

I have been looking for a rose gold Rolex 5030 since 1991 when I first say it in Singapore. It was sold for S$10,000 in 1991 and since I have just started work, my pay was only $2000 and there is no way I can afford it then. Along the years, I have managed to find the Rolex 5031, 5075, 6031, 6105 etc in bi colour stainless steel and gold versions, but not 18k rose gold. After years of longing, Finally found it 😊❤️

The Rolex big bubbleback is often referred to as Rolex “Ovettone” watches, these models are characterized by their protruding domed casebacks and larger-than-average case diameters. The “ovettone” term is actually a nickname (Italian for “big egg”), and it describes a relatively broad category of oversized Rolex watches with protruding, bubble-shaped casebacks that were produced during the 1940s and ’50s.

Just like with the various “Rolex Bubble Back” watches that were powered by early Rolex self-winding movements, the automatic assembly on Rolex Ovettone watches added significant thickness to the movement and required a domed caseback. This feature, combined with the watches’ relatively large (for the time) case diameters, is what ultimately resulted in their “big egg” nickname among collectors.

It is interesting to note that these early Rolex Ovettone Datejust watches pre-date the ‘Datejust’ name, they also pre-date the arrival of the collection’s now-standard cyclops magnification lens. The cyclops magnifier wasn’t patented by Rolex until 1953, and it wasn’t introduced to the Datejust collection in 1955, meaning that all of the earliest Datejust watches were fitted with standard, domed acrylic crystals. 

With that in mind, the calendar disc itself is the real party-piece of the date display and is what is known as a “roulette” date wheel, where the numbers for the date alternate between red and black. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual “Ovettone” 5030 model has a 36 mm wide 18K red gold case. There are some holdovers from the early “bubble back” generations here, like the squared area between the lugs, the rounded, raised case back, and the old-school “Rolex Oyster” signed crown, but overall , a case design that is recognizable along with the modern Oyster cases of the 50s and beyond. 

It’s soft and elegant in the way that only watches from the 1930s and 1940s can be, shining with warmth and easy charm through its perfectly polished, gently stored face. Of course, since this is a “pre-adjusted date” reference, there is one area that enthusiasts may want to examine closely – the bezel. This predates the iconic fluted bezel pattern that would come to dominate public perception of the Datejust, but the narrow, understated smooth bezel here represents a different, and equally enduring, offshoot of Rolex case design. 

This watch has been sent to Rolex service center in the past, most probably in the late 1950s or early 60s, with a completed service plus changed of dials and hands . I am not worried as I have a spare dial from the early period. I am still contemplating of whether to change it or not as it is nice in its current way too.

One of the unique features of the Rolex 5030 is the straight lugs, which follows the early examples of the Rolex bubble back ok, and adds a date function, increasing the size from 33mm to 36mm.

My key direction for 2025 shall be focusing on watches that I have not been able to find and shall focus mainly on vintage Rolex and also focus on upgrading of watches in terms of dials design or bracelets etc). I also aim to bring down my non core watches as the quantities have grown alot since last year.

Watches Found in 2025:

1. Jan 10 : Rolex 18078 bark bezel and bracelet

2. Jan 15 : Rolex 5030 18k Rose gold 

Wish Lists 2025:

1. Rolex 18078 ✅

2. Rolex 5030 ✅

3. Rolex 1807 or 1607

4. Rolex Lapis dial/ Tiger Eye

 

Watches Sold/Trade:

1. Jan 6 : Rolex steel 鋼 Bubbleback  ref 6050 traded with Longines Tonneau plus cash 

2. Jan 6 : Sold Mido Melik set 

3. Jan 8 : Sold Spare 海鷗八一軍表

4. Feb : Pending Tudor 7962

Rolex Bark bezel & bracelet 18078

I have started the year with this Rolex Day Date Bark bezel & bracelet ref 18078.  Named so for their resemblance to tree bark, these particular textured elements are either on the center links of the bracelet, the bezel, or both. 

Produced from the early 1970s until the late 1980s, the bark finish was frequently used on Rolex President watches ref 1807,18078 and also Rolex ref 1607 Datejusts too.

Moving into the details, Day-Date ref. 18078, 18038 series launched in 1978 and stands as something of a transitional reference for the model. Things were moving fairly swiftly for Rolex at the time, as evidenced by the fact that the range was only around until 1988, before the ref. 18238, 18278 family took over. 

However, as with many Rolex models, any upgrades taking place were usually confined to the internals. The Day-Date’s aesthetics had been nailed down through previous references, and the incoming five-digit watches shared a virtually identical look to the retiring four-digit ref. 1807,1803,1802 examples which had been in production for more than 20-years. 

The Cal. 3055 replaced the Cal. 1556, one of two calibers which had driven the ref. 18XX watches over their two decades of production (the other one being the Cal. 1555 up until 1967). 

While the Cal. 3055 carried over many components from the Cal. 1556, it did introduce several key differences, modifications that elevated the Day-Date to new heights of accuracy and convenience.

Firstly, the balance frequency. The outgoing engine had beat at 19,800vph, itself an increase from the Cal. 1555’s 18,000vph. It was the Cal. 3055 which brought the now-standard 28,800vph speed to the President range, giving the familiar eight-ticks-per-second sweep to the seconds hand.

Furthermore, the Quickset feature made its debut, allowing the date numeral in its three o’clock window to be adjusted independently. Now, pulling out the crown to its second position gave free control over the setting process, without having to spin the main hands through 24-hours. However, the day of the week display in the 12 o’clock aperture still had to be changed the longwinded way, and so the Cal. 3055 is known as a Single Quickset. It wouldn’t be until the series was renewed again in 1988 to the ref. 182XX models, powered by the Cal. 3155, that the President received its first Double Quickset mechanism.

The reference 180 indicates a Day-Date with the then-new Cal. 3055 movement. The final numeral, 8, indicates that the watch is made from 18k yellow gold. But it is the 7, the number that denotes the bezel, which signifies this as one of the more unusual variants in the stable.

A couple of other differences with the ref. 180XX series over the ref. 18XX was the shape of the faces themselves. The vintage pie-pan design of old was retired and the new dials came in completely flat as we see them in the contemporary range. sapphire crystal was used to protect everything for the first time, replacing the former acrylic

The Rolex Day-Date ref. 18078 is an unusual model without doubt, very much characteristic of fashions in the 70s and 80s. Originally, I was thinking of getting just the Rolex 18078 without the gold bracelet. However, the deal didnt come through. One fellow collector has advised that to collect the Rolex 18078 Bark bezel and bracelet, like the Tridor 18239BIC, one should get together with the bracelet as its unique features are in the bezel plus the bracelet itself.

Wish Lists 2025:

1. Rolex 18078 ✅

2. Rolex 1807 or 1607

3. Rolex Lapis dial/ Tiger Eye

4. Rolex 5030

Watches Sold/Trade:

1. Jan 6 : Rolex steel 鋼 Bubbleback  ref 6050 traded with Longines Tonneau plus cash to trade

2. Jan 6 : Sold Mido Melik set 

3. Jan 8 : Sold Spare 海鷗八一軍表

Rolex Day Date ref 1807 & 1803 & 18078

Rolex Day Date ref 1807

Rolex 1807 & 1803

Rolex 18078

Rolex ref 6050 Bubbleback from 1948

This is a Rolex Bubbleback ref 6050 from the year 1948 in its purist format.  It has a simple minimalist dial design and simple markers and hands.

Revival of a steel Bovet Mono-Rattrapante Chronograph Watch (Second series) - part 2

My barn find watch has finally arrived and it really needs some cleaning and thorough servicing. The chronograph function is not working as there is a missing wheel too!

There is an urgent need for thorough cleaning of the case to remove the dirt and corrosion and rusts. Luckily, the rust didn't run deep.

Replacement of rubber for pushers for waterproof

As seen from the photo below (right), the watch’s crystal is beyond polishing as it has cracked and shall need a replacement.

The dial is still in good condition 

Testing for accuracy and so far so good for the Valjoux 84 but there is a need for replacement of the missing Valjoux 84 Driving wheels 8060. There is one so called collector who think Valjoux 84 is a common caliber and can be easily found.

I am very happy with the repair and restoration work as I was worried about the original condition plus the missing Valjoux 84 Driving wheels 8060. Finally, everything is in place and the watch is running great again!

The final step shall be the fine tuning the colours of the hands. This watch offers a fine presence and aesthetic looks , not only thanks to the nice dial design but also because of the large 38mm stainless steel case with its think bezel. Most of the watches from these 1930-40s were no larger than  36mm which make this chronograph 38mm design even rarer.

Photos showing the First Generation & Second generation of the Bovet Mono Rattrapante chronograph