Rolex 5075 big bubbleback versus 6104

There are two periods of 36mm big Bubbleback. The 5075 is an earlier version while the 6104 is the latter version. Even though both watches look similar, there are some small differences. One is using the fully concealed bubbleback while the other is using the semi bubbleback movement.

6075 vs 6104

6104 versus 6075

Rolex Big bubbleback 6075

The Rolex Big bubbleback series leading to the Datejust consists of the following: 

Rolex Big Bubbleback using the Full Bubbleback movements

Rolex ref 4467 (solid Gold from year 1945-1949)  

Rolex ref 5030 (Solid gold), Bi colour steel and gold 5031, 5075, 6031 (from year 1949 - 1950)

Rolex ref 6075, 6074 (Bi colour from year 1950 - 1953)

Rolex Big Bubbleback using the Semi Bubbleback movement

Rolex ref 6075 (Bi colour from 1960 - 64)

Rolex 6104, 6105 (Bi colour modified A296，from year 1951 - 1953) 

Rolex 6304, 6305, 6309 (Pre-Thunderbird) (A296，from year 1953 - 1956) 

After some searching, I have finally managed to find the bi colour steel & Big Bubbleback ref 6075 from Binh. Actually, I have seen one Rolex 6075 in Hong Kong, but the seller has a certain attitude that I have decided not to get it from him. In addition, there are some corrosions along the case. This Rolex 6075 is similar looking from the 6104, 6105 except that the movement is the fully covered Bubbleback movement versus the semi Bubbleback movement. However, there are also some Rolex ref 6075 being fitted with the semi bubbleback movement as well.

Many of the Big Bubbleback have dials that were repainted and it will need lots of luck to find them in original condition. This Rolex 6075 has a red Datejust wording below the Oyster Perpetual. This Rolex ref 6075 will fit nicely with my ref 4467,5031,5075,6031,6104, 6105, 6305, 6309 series. With this Rolex 6075, my next aim is the Rolex 5030 in solid gold.

 

Collection of Rolex Big Bubbleback 

I have been finetuning the quantities of my vintage watches by clearing away the non cores series such as the Sandoz watches, Octo, Ogival, Gubelin, Citizen, Titus Calypsomatic, Edox, Mido multifort, etc. In return, I have reinforced my collection Prince Doctors watches, Big Bubbleback as well as focusing on Rolex vintage Datejust and Daydate watches above 36mm

Targets:

1. Rolex 5030 (18k gold)

2. Rolex 6074 (Bi colour from year 1950 - 1953)

3. Rolex 6104 Rolex Big Bubbleback using the Semi Bubbleback movement 

4. Rolex 6304, 6305

Rolex Big Bubbleback 4467 & 6031

These were my earlier posts

Monday, March 14, 2011

Rolex big bubbleback 4467 and 6031 with date

These are the two big bubble backs ref 4467 and ref 6031. Both solid gold, one from the USA and the other from Canada. Really like the rounded body, smooth texture and the nice curves that the bubbleback possessed.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Rolex big bubble back overtone ref 4467

In addition, there is another big full bubble back ref4467. Just added this fat lady into my collection. Saw one in Shanghai too but didn't buy it as the asking price of rmb$70000 is high, but the condition is nice,

Rolex Big bubbleback 6031

 Thursday, February 03, 2011

Rolex big bubble back ref 6031

There are a few versions of the big bubblback using the full bubble movements. I have always love the bubble back for it's fat round back. Here is a very rare watch. This is a 1950s Rolex datejust know as the "Ovettone" Model number 6031. It is crafted entirely out of 18K pink gold. Diameter is 36mm and 44mm long with 20mm between lugs.

Rolex Big Bubbleback 6104

Earlier post from 2017 when I was working in Thailand…

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Rolex 6104 Big bubbleback

I was looking for a vintage military watch when I went to the vintage watch shop but my attention was immediately drawn to a bubbleback, a Big one. Initially, I thought it was a heavily used 6105 until I use a loop to see the engraving as 6104.

This is a rare 36x44mm (not counting the crown) 14K/ss ROLEX Ref 6104 BIG Bubbleback Oyster OVEVTTONE ca 1952. Research shows that about 1000 of these combined ref 6105 and 6104 Ovettone models were made. The ref 6105 model is with the coin/milled turned bezel is more common than the very rare 6104 model with smooth bezel. This 6104 is even more rare as it is in rose gold bezel and crown. This is the largest of the early Oyster Perpetual Models and this one is with red datewheel. The Ovettone model unlike the earlier and smaller Datejust is larger and is not distinguished by the name Datejust on the dial. The Ovettone Big Bubbleback is also distinguished by the ref numbers 4467, 6031 and 6105, 6104. They are all 2 Star or rare watches as designated in the Shugart price guide to watches.

The big bubbleback date just wasn't using the cyclops magnifying lens, because the cyclops magnifying lens hasn't appeared until 1954. I was lucky as the Italian traders were busy trading his watches with the Thai traders. As he needs to trade for other watches, he was willing to let me have it at a special price! This is indeed a lucky find and the winding crown is an old one with the "+".

From 4467(1945-1949) to 5030，5031，5075，6031(1949 - 1950)，6075，6074(1950 - 1953)，6104，6105(modified A296，1951 - 1953) and early 6304 and 6305(A296，1953 - 1956) all once has the crown mark.

Now, the Rolex big bubbleback can join its family 4467, 6305, 6104, 6031

Rolex Big Bubbleback 6105

This is my old post

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Rolex Big bubbleback 6105

Vintage 1952 Rolex ref. 6105 Bubbleback. I have always love the Rolex bubbleback, especially the Big bubbleback. Given the escalating prices of vintage Rolex sports, these dress models have become extremely value for money I have slowly build up a small collection of bubbleback over the years. This is a big Rolex bubbleback from the 1952 with the rare Pink gold bezel and crown from Texas USA. The Rolex 6105 differs from the 6104 as the latter has a smooth bezel.

Tudor Big Rose ref 7962

Ref. 7962 is a slim Oyster model and is similarly proportioned to the Ref. 7960 ‘Elegante’. During the period of this model’s production, Tudor’s parent company was also offering the Rolex Oyster Ref. 6512, which they called the “Oyster Veriflat”. The “Veriflat” was reputedly only available in gold and the proportions of its case (most notably its depth) appear to be very similar to those of the Tudor Oysters 7960 & 7962. As the 1950s advanced towards the 1960s, slim dress watches were becoming increasingly popular and these slim Oyster models offered the option of a classic model with a slimmer profile, yet with all the advantages of the robust and iconic Oyster case. Source: https://www.blackbough.co.uk/product/tudor-oyster-date-ref-7962-steel-vintage-wristwatch-circa-1965-wwtrod/ 

I have found this Tudor from an antique shop specializing in antique jade. This Tudor wristwatch has a silvered dial with applied indexes at the quarters with finely satin finished surface; the intervening baton numerals are centrally faceted with polished surfaces. It has a large Tudor rose instead of the later Shield. This model is often referred as the Big Ross Tudor. The Tudor Big Rose series broadly speaking has three versions namely one Hand wind wind rose without date, another with date like the below photo, plus another in automatic version ref 7966. In terms of materials, there are those in stainless steel or gold capped with steel.

Back case engraved Case by Rolex.

Seiko Bullhead 6138-0040 chronograph collection

As previously mentioned, this is my second attempt to try to collect the Seiko Bull heads 6138-0040 series. I have restarted my collection as follow: 

International version of the Blue and the brown

To complete the collection, there are two more brown Japanese version to acquire.

Rolex Oyster Precision ref 6426/7 handwind watch from Q1 1961

I have only a few mechanical hand wind Rolex. This is a Rolex 6427 hand wind watch from circa 1961. The 34mm slim oyster case wears like a glove and it's so comfortable that you often will forget that you are wearing a watch. This is similar to the Speedking (which is small in size at 30mm or 32mm) and Royal models. Rolex has a variety of men watches ranging from 28mm, 30mm, 32mm, 33mm, 34mm to 36mm for vintage watches.

The main difference that sets the ref. 6427 apart than other vintage Rolex models for example an Oyster Perpetual ref. 1002 or Air-King ref. 5500, is the manual-wind movement, caliber 1210 or 1225, which has 58 hours of power reserve. The Rolex 6426 and 6427 is similar except that one has an engine turned bezel another has a smooth. However, it is very common for Rolex watches to have switched parts in bezel or back case as Rolex during the 1950-70s wasn't as strict as now. As the condition of the watch is all original, I have, therefore, traded another watch for this.

The watch has a nice original black dial.

I was told by the seller that this watch was passed down to him by his uncle and he is the second owner. He has not serviced the watch for a while, and I therefore sent the watch for a full service.