Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 3372 - 'Bubbleback' Satin Silver Dial w/ Boxes

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. 

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 1947, this Reference 3372 is colloquially known to collectors and enthusiasts as a 'Bubbleback' for its early, pronounced 'bubble-back' caseback design. Like all 'Bubblebacks,' this piece features a 32mm case with distinct squared-off inner lugs, no crown guards, and a 'domed' screw-down caseback. This yellow gold example comes to us in excellent overall condition, with a strong, very lightly previously polished case, an attractive 'concentric' finished bezel that has seemingly been spared of previous polishing, and even retains an early 'cross' signed screw-down crown. Inside, the dial is simply immaculate. White in color, it is virtually flawless and devoid of both any previous refinishing and visible wear that so many of Bubblebacks have endured. The satin surface remains crisp, with gorgeous 'foil' indices and a gold-tone 'feuille' handset with a blued-steel seconds hand.

Additionally, this piece comes fitted to a leather strap with a period 14k signed Rolex buckle and its inner and outer boxes.

Bubblebacks are widely credited as being amongst, if not the very first collectible Rolex models, dating back to the 1980s! Because of their age, design, and early use of luminous material, so many of these have been poorly restored, making this honest example a surprisingly uncommon opportunity to snag a strong example.