Rolex

The Rolex Bubbleback Story: Bubblebacks marked the introduction of the first successful self winding wrist watch movement. The name bubble back derives from the rounded case back to accommodate the self winding movement. The Rolex bubble back model was introduced in 1933 and was continued well into the late 1940’s with countless variations of metal and dial configuration. Bubble backs were made in stainless steel, steel and gold, rose gold, 9K, 10K, 14K, 18K, hooded case variations, even manual wind versions in the 1930’s. The early models through the 1940’s featured dials with luminous indexes and luminous hands. Later in the 1950’s, the dials had generally less interesting small raised dial indexes and non luminous hands. 

Each Bubbleback is different; some stand out in case design, others with an unusual dial and some in precious metal. This bubbleback is from 1946 and it is a solid gold Rolex 18k bubbleback ref 3372 in 3 piece case design where the top and bottom case can be unscrewed. 

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