Rolex Stainless Steel Sub Seconds Bubble Back Watch, circa 1951
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Rolex Stainless Steel Sub Seconds Bubble Back Watch, circa 1951
About the Item
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.
- Rolex Stainless Steel Original Dial Bubble Back circa 1940sBy RolexLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: "Bubble Back" / Oyster Perpetual METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel / Yellow Gold Bezel DIMENSIONS: Length 39mm X Diameter 33mm CIRCA: 1940's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: "N.A" Caliber / 17 Jewels Perpetual DIAL / HANDS: Original with Luminous Dial / Dauphine Luminous Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator and Original Ladder Bracelet, 17mm / Medium Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is the classic Rolex "Bubble Back" with an original dial, hands and Oyster Crown. It is based on the original design of the world's first automatic waterproof...Category
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- Rolex Stainless Steel "Bubble Back' with Original Dial from 1946 or 47By RolexLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Bubble Back / Reference 3372 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1946 / 47 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Diameter 32mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber "N.A." DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Gold Baton Markers / Dauphine Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 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 and has the very desirable Thunderbird Machined Bezel. We have just serviced this rare watch and it comes with our 18 month warranty and our lifetime service commitment. If you are looking for a watch as a gift for someone born in 46 or 47 this might be just the watch for them. It is also supplied with an original "ladder" or "bamboo" bracelet. These bracelets were available as an option for all the Rolex...Category
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- Rolex Stainless Steel Early Oysterdate with Rare Super Oyster Crown, circa 1951By RolexLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Super Oysterdate / Reference 6094 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 40mm X Dia...Category
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- 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
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- Rolex Royal Precision, 1951, 15 Jewel Super Balance, Stainless SteelBy RolexLocated in Raleigh, NCToday's offering showcases this uncommon and original Rolex Oyster Royal model #6144 encased in stainless steel. Built only in the early 1950's, these watches are fine and desirable. A Style Note: The Rolex Oyster Royal was introduced in 1933 and was in production for over 20 years. It was part of the models nicknamed “Flatback” by collectors. It was the perfect alternative to the Bubbleback, for clients looking for a slimmer case and non-hooded lugs. Its contained diameter is largely compensated by the strong character these true vintage Rolex offer thanks to the incredible variety of dial configurations that was offered at the time. Some Historical Perspective: The Oyster Precision is one of the most straightforward watches Rolex has ever built. The watch is truly about representing the essentials only, with no added distractions. This example is fitted in a 32mm stainless steel case with a smooth bezel, so it actually wears a little larger than its measurement might seem. Vintage collectors often get caught up in the infinitesimal details that intrigue further and further as you dive in. Yet sometimes, a watch presents itself up and is simple elegance with pure, simplistic, undeniable greatness. The stainless steel Oyster case is already an iconic vintage look, but when you add in an interestingly finished dial, and a manual-wind movement, the watch suddenly becomes something to write home about. Translating from Rolex, the "Precision" branding indicates a manually wound movement, just as "Perpetual" points to a self-winding or automatic movement powering the watch. Rolex watches like this one are consistently compelling, never going out of style. The last word on the dial is, of course, "Royal." This is one we do not see all too often; it was phased out right around the early 1960s time frame. It's always nice to have a little uncommon detail like this. Even your pickiest collector friends will give this a royal "huh, that's pretty cool." THE FINE PRINT Maker: Rolex Unique Characteristics: "Royal" designation on dial Excellent Dial Condition Flat Back design Extremely robust and enjoyable, the Flatback both goes back to the roots of the Oyster case history and continues today to provide a huge satisfaction to its wearer. The 6144 was also one of the relatively few Rolex models to feature the short-lived Super Oyster...Category
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