The Rolex Bubbleback Story: Bubblebacks marked the introduction of the first successful self winding wrist watch movement. The name bubble back derives from the rounded caseback to accommodate the self winding movement.
The Rolex bubble back model was introduced in 1933 and was continued well into the late 1940’s with countless variations of metal and dial configuration. Bubble backs were made in stainless steel, steel and gold, rose gold, 9K, 10K, 14K, 18K, hooded case variations, even manual wind versions in the 1930’s. Serial nos consists of 2764, 2940, 3130, 3131, 3133, 5045, 5050, 3372, 3725 Tropica, 4919, 3696, etc..
The early models through the 1940’s featured dials with luminous indexes and luminous hands. Later in the 1950’s, the dials had generally less interesting small raised dial indexes and non luminous hands.
Each Bubbleback is different; some stand out in case design, others with an unusual dial and some in precious metal. This bubbleback is from 1946 and it is a solid gold Rolex 18k bubbleback ref 3372 in 3 piece case design where the top and bottom case can be unscrewed. The dial is still in very good condition as thee are many bubbleback where the dials have been reconditioned and repainted. I have traded away one Omega Constellation gold plus cash top up for this. Interestingly, I have started my watch collection in a serious manner with the Rolex bubbleback from the 1990s. I have not collected any new Bubbleback for a while owing to the poor dial conditions until now. The prices of these smaller vintage watches are climbing up very quickly when collectors are beginning to see that there are more watches other than the sports models. In Hong Kong, it is known as the 勞力士棺材仔
https://www.watchcollectinglifestyle.com/home/time-machine-a-dozen-rolex-oyster-perpetual-bubblebacks-it-took-10-years-to-hunt-them-down
http://blog.elementintime.com/index.php/a-bubbleback-behind-the-rolex-oyster/
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