Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 5018 - 'Bombe' Lug Bubbleback
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 1967, this reference 5018 is one of the rarest Oyster Perpetuals ever produced. These featured beautiful and elegant twisted ‘bombe’ lugs and lovely stylized-indices that are sadly not really seen in any Rolex models these days. This case has seen a light previous polishing at some point in its life, but retains thick, symmetrical lugs with visible factory finishing. The dial has aged to an attractive eggshell color with patinated luminous plots, some of which show loss, and are complimented by a matching 'alpha' handset.
Despite being ‘entry-level’ these offer a ton of character and remain an overlooked part of the important history of Rolex on their journey to the powerhouse brand that they are today.
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 Exclusions:
- 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.
The Oliver & Clarke Guarantee
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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