THE BUBBLEBACK

The bubbleback is the first perpetual watch that Rolex made.  After seeing the designs of Rolls, Perpetual, and Harwood, Rolex decided to create its own design of an automatic watch.  The bubbleback movement actually is comprised of two separate parts:  the watch movement itself, and the winding mechanism super-imposed on it.  This design made the movement of the watch much thicker than other watches that the company was making and a special doom-shaped case back has to be used to accommodate the movement.  This doomed case back gave birth to the nickname 'bubbleback' for the model.  The first known bubbleback can be dated back to 1933 and the model lasted for more than 20 years.
 

The Regular Models

 
This is the first generation bubbleback.  3-piece case marked Rolesium.  The movement has full watchmaker instructions.  The most curious thing is that it has a serial number of 014191 which does not correspond with any known reference for Rolex serial numbers.  Press to see movement 
A ref # 2764 serial # 549,xxx circa 1947.  Stainless steel case with recent re-dial  6th generation movement.  Case and movement in excellent condition.
A ref # 2940 serial # 342,xxx circa 1945.  Stainless steel case with early re-dial.  5th generation movement.  Case and movement in excellent condition.
A ref # 2940 serial # 377,xxx circa 1945/46.  Stainless steel case with early re-dial.  5th generation movement.  Case and movement in excellent condition.
A ref # 5052 which I picked up from an international auction house in 1995.  I am trying to take this watch apart as the dial looked strange up close and the stamping on the inside of the case back is also very different than that of the same period.    Serial # 663,xxx places this watch circa 1949/50.   See case back  
A ref # 5048 serial # 680,xxx circa 1950.  Stainless steel case with engine turned bezel.  Faded original dial.  This is one of the first Rolex to have the short-lived Super Oyster crowns.
A ref # 3133 serial # 426,xxx circa 1946.  Two-tone case with smooth pink gold bezel.  Great original dial with pink gold markers.  The whole watch is in excellent condition.
A ref # 5015 serial # unknown circa 1950's.  Two-tone case with engine turned pink gold bezel.  The case has gone through excess wear.  Movement in good condition.  Original dial.
A ref # 4392 serial # unknown circa 1950's.  Gold filled case with stainless steel back.  Recent re-dial.  I am also puzzled by this watch because of its case.  I have done a little testing and found the base metal to be stainless steel.  However, for gold plated bubbleback the base metal should be brass.  The movement and case back is 100% original.  
A ref # 3372 serial # unknown circa 1950's.  18K pink gold 3-piece case with engine turned bezel.  modern re-dial with subsidiary second dial.  
 
 
 

The Special Models

 
 
 The two-tone hooded bubbleback.  Notice the two gold 'hoods' on both ends of the watch lugs.  Please note that the one in this picture is a after-market hooded bubbleback as the hoods were added later on by unscrupulous watch dealers to enhance its value.  I will be showing a real hooded bubbleback for comparison later.