Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 1010 - 'Bombe' Lug
If you boil Rolex down to its purest form, what do you get?
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual. This is truly the genesis for the entire Rolex brand. The very first Rolex models were called ‘Oysters’ which was owed to their innovative three part case that all screwed into each-other. This watch represents an evolution of that, when these were still semi-bubble back watches.
The piece that we have here, simply know as an Oyster Perpetual, is a descendant of those early watches, utilizing a water-resistant Oyster case, an automatic-winding movement, and nothing else. No frills — purely a functional timekeeping device.
Dating to circa 1952, this Reference 1010 is one of the rarest Oyster Perpetuals ever produced. Coming in at approximately 33mm in diameter, these featured beautiful and elegant twisted ‘bombe’ lugs which, sadly, have not been seen on any Rolex models since. The case itself remains in excellent, likely unpolished condition, retaining symmetrical lugs at each corner with beautiful definition and normal wear otherwise. Inside, the silver dial is also beautifully preserved, with a crisp sunburst finishing, applied yellow gold indices and a matching 'dauphine' handset.
This then, is a brilliant example of Rolex displaying a more artistic side, all while very much being a Rolex at heart, with that water-resistant Oyster case and a robust automatic-winding movement within. Hard to beat.
Condition Report & Details
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Shipping, Returns, & Warranty
Every Oliver & Clarke timepiece comes with a one-year mechanical warranty starting from the date of delivery. We ensure all watches are in wonderful working condition and are ready for daily wear. Many have been fully serviced by our team of watchmakers.
Please note:
- Due to the vintage or antique nature of many of our watches, they may not keep time as accurately as when new, nor as precisely as quartz or electronic devices.
- We do not guarantee water resistance and do not warranty against moisture or water damage. Deliberate exposure to water or steam is not recommended.
- Warranty does not cover internal or external damage caused by accidents, mishandling, abuse, modifications, or services performed by anyone other than our authorized personnel.
- Our warranty is non-transferable.
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At Oliver & Clarke, we meticulously vet each watch to ensure its authenticity and quality. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and our mission is to help you find the perfect timepiece. If you have any questions, we are here to assist you promptly.
Our Guarantee:
- Each timepiece is thoroughly evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our expert team before it is offered for sale.
- We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise stated.
- The authenticity of each watch is guaranteed in perpetuity.
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