Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1947
    Reference No: 3131
    Movement No: 92'329
    Case No: 522'536
    Model Name: Oyster Perpetual "Bubbleback"
    Material: 14k pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, 9 3/4''', 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Gilt metal Rolex
    Dimensions: 32mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The beauty of the present rose gold reference 3131 "Bubbleback" can hardly be matched, not only by any other vintage Rolex, but quite likely also by any other wristwatch from the 1940s. Its pink gold case is in close to immaculate condition with a mirror polished wide bezel crowning the otherwise satin finished surface to the case. The subtle rose dial is surrounded by a outer matte ring, divided into 60 seconds and fifths of a second, and features very subtle and minimalistic Roman numerals for the quarters, and dark, drilled circular hour markers in between.

    The serial number is no longer embossed on the caseback, but instead finely engraved in between the lugs. This technique had been introduced by Rolex in the mid 1940s, and shows that this most charismatic rose gold "Bubbleback" is one of the last examples of this landmark model's production.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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Ref. 3131
A very rare and fine pink gold wristwatch with rose two-tone dial and Roman numerals

1947
32mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 

Sold for CHF18,750

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm