This is a rare vintage Rolex Bubbleback watch featuring a special dial configuration with 9 applied Rolex coronets as hour markers, a design that stands out among the many dial variations found on early “Bubbleback” models.
Such multi-crown dials, sometimes referred to by collectors as “coronet dials,” are exceptionally uncommon and are sought after by vintage Rolex enthusiasts due to their distinctive aesthetic and historic significance.
Historical Context and Rarity
• The Rolex Bubbleback, produced from roughly 1933–1955, was the first mass-market automatic Rolex and is crucial to the brand’s legacy.
• Bubblebacks are known for their eccentric mix of dial styles—Arabic, Roman, California (“Error Proof”) dials, and special motif dials like yours with multiple coronets.
• The 9-crown dial is notably rare and represents an era when Rolex experimented with bold design choices for both technical and marketing reasons.
Collectibility and Market Value
• Rare dial variations, especially those featuring multiple coronets, command a premium among collectors. Such watches are often spotlighted at vintage auctions and can sell well above standard Bubbleback models due to their desirability.
• The overall value depends on originality, condition, matching reference and dial, and provenance. Unusual features like your 9-crown dial often result in strong auction interest from connoisseurs and specialists. This is a unique Rolex with 9 crowns on the dial and with the special bombe lugs. I have owned this watch since 1997 and after several decades, the watch is finally out for a complete service by KK Sifu. It is one of my rare find from the late 1990s.
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