No Reserve
916
Rolex
Ref. 3065, repeated inside caseback
Oyster Perpetual Chronometer "Bubble Back"
A rare stainless steel and 14k yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, luminous Arabic numerals, hooded lugs and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$40,000 - 63,000•€4,700 - 7,400$5,100 - 8,100
HK$69,850
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1940s
- Reference No
- 3065, repeated inside caseback
- Movement No
- 69’324
- Case No
- 596’829
- Model Name
- Oyster Perpetual Chronometer "Bubble Back"
- Material
- Stainless steel and 14K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, jewelled
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel and 14K yellow gold expandable riveted Rolex bracelet, max length 180mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex U.S.A. deployant clasp stamped “7-65”
- Dimensions
- 32mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The "Bubble Back" is an iconic Rolex model that was introduced in the 1930s and left a lasting impact on the brand's history. The distinctive domed caseback gave the watch its memorable profile, as it was designed to accommodate the thickness of the winding rotor.
In production for over 22 years until the mid-1950s, it was one of Rolex's most important models during that era. These watches were available in a wide range of materials and dial variations, which contributed to their immense popularity especially in the Japanese market.
This particular "Bubble Back" reference 3065 from the 1940s is a rare find, as most examples encountered were either full gold or stainless steel. This example features a well-preserved and very rare two-tone case, with a dial sporting appealing vintage-styled luminous Arabic numerals that have aged beautifully.
Housed in a compact 32mm "Bubble Back" case, the watch is further elevated by the inclusion of a matching two-tone bracelet made by the American manufacturer C&I. This combination of the well-preserved case and the complementary bracelet makes this "Bubble Back" a truly special and desirable find for collectors.
In production for over 22 years until the mid-1950s, it was one of Rolex's most important models during that era. These watches were available in a wide range of materials and dial variations, which contributed to their immense popularity especially in the Japanese market.
This particular "Bubble Back" reference 3065 from the 1940s is a rare find, as most examples encountered were either full gold or stainless steel. This example features a well-preserved and very rare two-tone case, with a dial sporting appealing vintage-styled luminous Arabic numerals that have aged beautifully.
Housed in a compact 32mm "Bubble Back" case, the watch is further elevated by the inclusion of a matching two-tone bracelet made by the American manufacturer C&I. This combination of the well-preserved case and the complementary bracelet makes this "Bubble Back" a truly special and desirable find for collectors.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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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