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. Of all the Rolex Big bubbleback, the hardest to find is the Rose gold 18k, ref 5030.
I have been looking for a rose gold Rolex 5030 since 1991 when I first saw it in Singapore. It was sold for S$10,000 in 1991! S$10,000 was a lot of money then and since I have just started work then, my pay was only S$2000 and there was 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 😊❤️
Rolex 5075 & 5030
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. This 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.
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. Of all the Big Bubbleback, the ref 5030 in rose gold is the hardest to find..
Collection of gold Big Bubbleback Ref 5030, 4467, 6305, 6105
Collection of gold & steel Big Bubbleback Ref 5031, 5075, 6031, 6104, 6105 since 2011 till now
My key direction for 2025 shall be focusing on watches that I have not been able to find for many years and I shall focus mainly on vintage Rolex and also focus on upgrading of watches in terms of dials design or bracelets and upgrade to solid gold etc.) I also aim to bring down my non core watches as the quantities have grown 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
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 5 : Sold Juvenia hand wind watch
4. March : Pending Tudor 7962
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