135 Rolex Fine and Historic, Bubbleback, Water-resistant Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, Silver Dial, With Steel and Gold Bracelet, Reference 3372
Estimate: €5,000 – 10,000
Sold (Premium)€19,500
Model: Bubble back
Reference: 3372
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold
Year: 1944
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 9 3/4″
Case N°: 319 465
Dimensions: 31 mm
Signed: Dial, movement and case
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 features a “machined” bezel with double baton at 12 o’clock and single baton at the other quarters. This was one of the three elements of the entire watch also considering case and case back. The present lot offered here is in stainless steel and the Oyster riveted bracelet is composed of yellow gold and steel and is very well preserved. The argentè dial overall has been wonderfully preserved with its still original luminous material for the Arabic numbers and hands. Made in a nearly unlimited number of variations in terms of case shape, case material and dial designs, this model is every time a discover and always new.