61 Rolex Fine and Historic Bubbleback Water Resistant Automatic Wristwatch in Steel and Pink Gold, Reference 3372, With Silver Dial and Bracelet

Estimate: €10,000 –⁠ 20,000

Model: Bubble Back
Material: Stainless Steel and pink gold
Reference N°: 3372
Year: 1946
Case N°: 488636
Caliber: 9 3/4″
Movement type: Automatic
Bracelet: Leather Strap
Dimensions: 31.5 mm
Signed: Dial, case and movement

The Bubbleback is, before the advent of sports watches, the model that most of all raised the Rolex name above the competition for quality and efficiency. There have been numerous references of the particular “ovetto” case, due to the addition of an oscillation weight that led to a general thickening of the movement, to be introduced on the market from 1930 onwards and among them also reference 3372, exactly like the watch offered here. This specimen was introduced in 1940 and featured a “machined” bezel with double baton at 12 “clock, single baton at the other quarters and dots at every other hour. This was one of the three elements of the entire watch also considering case and case back. In the present lot have been used two different materials. Stainless steel for case and back and pink gold for the bezel. The Oyster riveted bracelet is composed as well by pink gold and steel and is very well preserved. The argentè dial overall has been wonderfully preserved with its still original luminous material for numerals and hands. Made in a nearly unlimited number of variations in terms of case shape, case material and dial designs, this model is everytime a discover and always new.