Rolex Ladies Yellow Gold Early Perpetual Winding 'Bubble Back' Watch, circa 1949
About the Item
- Creator:
- Movement:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1949 / 1950
- Condition:It is important to recognize that this watch only had a 12-month warranty when it was new. However, we are so confident of our workmanship and team that we offer an 18-month warranty on all our watches, even those over 100 years old.
- Seller Location:Long Beach, CA
- Reference Number:
Rolex
While the rise in popularity of vintage Rolex watches is of no surprise to aficionados, collectors and industry experts, when it comes to contemporary luxury wristwatches, Rolex is also often the first brand that springs to mind. Not only is the company revered for its precision timekeeping and impeccable craftsmanship, but its name was designed to be memorable.
Rolex's enviable worldwide recognition can be credited in part to the genius of company founder Hans Wilsdorf. When the German-born watch dealer and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, set up their London enterprise, in 1905, they called it Wilsdorf & Davis, according to the traditional formula.
But Wilsdorf was determined to come up with another name that was short, would look good on a watch dial and was easy to say and remember in several languages. In 1908, he trademarked the name Rolex, and by 1920, he had moved the company to Geneva and redubbed it as Montres Rolex S.A.
But the main reasons for the brand’s success are its aforementioned commitment to precision and unflagging pursuit of innovation. In 1926, the company introduced the aptly named Oyster model. With a screw-down crown and case back, both fitted with rubber gaskets, this was the first truly waterproof watch.
Five years later, Rolex upped the ante with the Oyster Perpetual. That model’s patented Perpetual movement contained a rotor mechanism enabling it to self-wind. In another trendsetting move, in 1945, the brand debuted the Datejust, with a date window prominently displayed on the dial.
The company’s two most iconic models are sports watches. Although the Submariner, which debuted in 1953, was developed as a dive watch, its waterproof case, solid construction and good looks made it a favorite of adventurers and urbanites alike, including James Bond, who wore it in classics like Dr. No and Goldfinger. The Daytona, the racing chronograph made famous by Paul Newman, is especially sought after by collectors. Newman’s personal Daytona, which hit the auction block in 2017, sold for $17.8 million.
Find vintage Rolex watches, bracelets and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Long Beach, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Rolex Stainless Steel Bubble Back Rare Roman Dial Perpetual Wind WatchBy RolexLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Bubble Back METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 40mm X Diameter 32mm CIRCA: 1940's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 18 Jewels / Caliber N.A. DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered / Roman Numerals / Steel Leaf Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 17mm / Medium Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is the classic Rolex Bubble Back...Category
Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches
- Rolex Gold Top Tropical Series Steel Back Early Ladies Perpetual from 1947By RolexLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Ladies Bubble Back / Tropical Series METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Top with Steel Back CIRCA / YEAR: 1947 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 29mm x Diameter 24mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Black with Gold Numbers / Gilt Leaf Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 12mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT The legendary house of Rolex produced this classic ladies watch...Category
Vintage 1940s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
- Rolex Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Early Datejust Perpetual Wind Watch, 1953By RolexLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 6105 METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 44mm X Diameter 36mm CIRC...Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches
MaterialsYellow Gold, Stainless Steel
- Rolex Rare Gold Shell Oyster Perpetual from 1952 Oversized Bubble Back MovementBy RolexLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6334 METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Shell CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 / 54 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm...Category
Vintage 1950s Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches
- Rolex Rose Gold Stainless Steel Bubble Back Thunderbird Bezel WatchBy RolexLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Bubble Back METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel & Solid Rose Gold Thunderbird Bezel DIMENSIONS: Length 40mm X Diameter 32mm CI...Category
Vintage 1940s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
- Rolex Steel Classic "Bubble Back" with Original Dial and Ladder Bracelet, 1949By RolexLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Bubble Back / Reference 5015 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1949 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 32mm X Diameter 39mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 18 Jewels / Caliber 630 DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Arabic Numerals / Original Blued Steel Leaf Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Period Ladder / Bamboo Braecelet, 17mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This classic Rolex "Bubble Back" is fitted with the legendary Caliber N.A. Movement, their first Perpetual Winding caliber. The watch is entirely original, including the dial and crown. This unique watch has the very desirable Thunderbird Machined Bezel and lastly, it has a rare and original Ladder Bracelet...Category
Vintage 1940s Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches
- Rolex Oyster Perpetual Steel Yellow Gold Ladies Watch 67193By RolexLocated in Atlanta, GARolex Oyster Perpetual Steel Yellow Gold Ladies Watch 67193. Officially certified chronometer automatic self-winding movement. Stainless steel oyster case 24.0 mm in diameter. Rolex ...Category
20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsYellow Gold, Steel
- Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6084 Bubble Back Yellow Gold Stainless SteelBy RolexLocated in San Diego, CAStyle Number: 6084 Serial: 905*** Year: 1952 Model: Oyster Perpetual Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Custom Black Leather Band Bezel: Yellow Gold Dia...Category
Vintage 1950s Wrist Watches
- Rolex Ladies 6718 Oyster Perpetual Yellow GoldBy RolexLocated in San Diego, CAStyle Number: 6718 Serial: 3825*** Year: 1974 Model: Oyster Perpetual Case Material: 14K Yellow Gold Band: 18K Yellow Gold Bezel: 14K Yellow Gold Dial: ...Category
Vintage 1970s Wrist Watches
- Rolex Rare Vintage Semi Bubble Back Oyster Perpetual Coin Edge Bezel WatchBy RolexLocated in London, GBA Rare 18k Yellow Gold Semi Bubble Back Oyster Perpetual Vintage Men's Wristwatch, silver dial with applied hour markers, a fixed 18k yellow gold coin edge b...Category
Vintage 1950s Unknown Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage Boucheron 18k Yellow Gold Hand Winding Ladies WatchBy BoucheronLocated in Washington Depot, CTVintage Boucheron 18K Yellow Gold Ladies Watch #80122 18K yellow gold square case with rounded corners... circular face - case has a slight nic on opposite side of crown as shown in pictures Gold dial with black Arabic markers - case is approx. 26mm in diameter - small imperfection on the dial noted at the 7 Hand winding...Category
20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Rolex 1940s Yellow Gold Automatic Bubble Back WristwatchBy RolexLocated in New York, NYCirca 1940s Rolex Bubble Back Wrist Watch, 32 M.M. 3 Piece 14K Yellow Gold case with smooth Bezel, Automatic, Self Winding movement. Restored Black ...Category
Vintage 1940s Swiss Aesthetic Movement Wrist Watches
MaterialsYellow Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake Rolex: 13+ Expert Tips
Learn the devious techniques that counterfeiters use to sell inauthentic pieces at authentic prices. Of course, you don't have to worry about that on 1stDibs, where every seller of Rolex watches is highly vetted.
Rolex Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know about Choosing the Right Watch
From understanding the models to choosing among vintage, pre-owned and new watches, here’s our expert advice on finding the best Rolex for you.