Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1945 Reference No: 3372 Movement No: 3564 Case No: 387'604 Model Name: Oyster Perpetual, "Bubble Back" Material: 18k pink gold Calibre: Automatic, 9 3/4''' Bracelet/Strap: 18k pink gold Rolex rice grain Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold folding concealed clasp Dimensions: 33mm. Diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Fitted presentation box signed Rolex, The World's Most Accurate Wristwatch, The Highest Honours Ever Awarded by London Paris and Geneva Observatories, Solid Gold
Catalogue Essay
The Rolex Bubbleback reference 3372 is easily recognisable by the chased and engraved bezel, featuring baton and dot hour markers. Examples of this model in 18 carat pink gold are by far the rarest and most valuable. When fitted with a perfectly original two-tone rose 24-hours dial, it becomes a true work of art.
In fact, this rose two-tone dial is a perfect match for the rose gold case and has prominently large luminous arabic numerals. The inner circle features the hours for pm, ranging from 13 to 24. The case is in excellent original condition, quite possibly never polished, and the individual serial number is as crisp and legible as when the watch was finished.
To further enhance its collectibility and value, a wonderful Rolex 7-row grain de riz (rice grain) bracelet is mounted on this Bubbleback. The result of this combination is extraordinarily elegant and one that an avid connoisseur should not miss.
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.