ROLEX Bubble Back Ref.3372 Cal.NA 18K Quick Repair Guide by nabe 4.7K views 8 years ago James Dowling - Rolex Scholar - Talks Vintage and the Trajectory of the Watch. Rolex watches All models All Classic Professional 1908 39 mm, 18 ct yellow gold, polished finish New model Cosmograph Daytona Oyster, 40 mm, platinum New model Yacht-Master 42 Oyster, 42 mm, RLX titanium New model Sky-Dweller Oyster, 42 mm, white gold New model GMT-Master II Oyster, 40 mm, Oystersteel and yellow gold New model Explorer 36 Comparison: You willnotice that the graphic chanced over the years with the later version we see on the right. Water damage will oxidate the movement making it look brownish and dirty. There wherean iconic small or big crown Submariner, Milgauss, Explorer, Day Date or GMT master with in house Rolex manufacture movements dont reach the same level yet. x6 = Maxi Arabic Rolex Big Bubbleback: 4467, 6031, 6074, 6075 _____ Rolex Bubbleback: 1852 . Early 1950 watches with radium lume have a radiation of at least 20-100 Mvrs. The bottom line is that the world of Bubbleback watches is vast and there is a lot for a collector to explore and discover. To determine if a Rolex has the correct serial numbers, where it has been delivered or to get a original Rolex service, you can contact Rolex Heritage Department in Geneva directly. A mayor influence on the originality has been played by the manufacture itself, namely during the servicing the watch. Next we look carefully to the luminous on the dial, in specific at 3-6-8-9 and 12 oclock. 's Kew Observatory certified a Rolex wristwatch to be as precise as a marine chronometer. Just as video killed the radio star, the quartz boom of the late 1960s and early 1970s nearly snuffed out the mechanical timepiece faster than you can say "Seiko." WhatsApp: +4670 403 41 17 Vrifi authentique par un matre horloger. By the time the Bubbleback Rolex models were hitting their stride in the 1930s, buckles with the Rolex emblem would have likely been more-or-less standard on most models. The dial is reserved purely for the hands and Roman numerals, aesthetically reminiscent of the Art Deco movement. Some of the most colorful recommendations are the cautionary tales: the Englishman who inadvertently laundered his Oyster in a scalding cycle, then rinsed, spun and tumble-dried it; the Australian skydiver who dropped his from 800 feet above the outback; or the Californian whose wife accidentally baked his in a 500-degree oven. Though he lived in Geneva for 40 years, Wilsdorf never became a Swiss citizen. The next important feature of a polished watch is that at first the case looks nice but the engravings made mostly in the case back are worn out, polished out. Rolexs two greatest contributions to the greater wristwatch industry have been its waterproof Oyster case the self-winding Perpetual movement and the Rolex Bubbleback ref. To launch his company's new timepiece into the popular consciousness, Wilsdorf came up with an ingenious publicity stunt. In stock now. Would you like to gain more knowledge in the field of collecting Vintage Rolex and learn of the latest market developments? Most probably this marker is a special mix of radium for easier underwater readability. Magnifique In my, you can read about the little details that are so important for the originality of a true vintage Rolex. As your reference number tells you which model you have you now start comparing your Rolex with one from my reference list below. In the pastpeople liked to invest in properties, stocks etc, but now we see many people that can afford to spend their extra money in art collectables. I know Bubbleback is possibly a pretty nebulous category of Rolex, but I'm talking specifically about the ones such as the 2940 etc. Next is to determine the condition, when youlook closely to the finsih of the case and bracelet youll see the fine thin lines seems to be all original, smooth and steady, reflecting the light on a natural way. So at first, your alarm bells should already have gone off, something is suspicious,hands where not those that where born on this iconic Submariner. 0 = Stainless Steel People can use people effectively. And the Bubblebacks never really recovered from that blow. A Rolex service done after1964 when international regulations forbid the use of radium, The Swiss T<25 glossy tritium dial from 1964-1967. FAKE! Lets take a closer look at the case to determine the originality of the watch and its condition. This dial has been produced by the Stern company (later owner of Patek Philippe) which also produced the Comex Seadweller dials for Rolex. To check out the date of your Rolex you need to know the serial number, which in below list shows you the date: Before even considering zooming in on details, your first look should always be at the, If something is not right appearance wise, then this is a clear giveaway the watch has been serviced or has been messed with to cover up its authenticity and originality. Open your door to 500,000 watch enthusiasts every day, Chrono24 Buyer Protection Has You Covered. After learning that a young British woman named Mercedes Gleitze was planning to swim across the English Channel, he presented her with a Rolex Oyster and dispatched a photographer to chronicle her endeavor. The next one, a 4 line Submariner small crown ref 5508. The underline and SCOC text is added later on top of the lacquer, the rest of the print is punched into the dial, laying deeper.. The bezel is worn but the case isnt or the crown and pushers are new where the case isnt , etc. He is a member of the IWJG, the AWCI and a graduate of the GIA. 16760 and that label is in reference to the thicker case, bezel, and crown guards it sported over its predecessors. Rolex Passion Market is a fully independent initiative, without any legal, economic or other ties with the famous luxury watch maker. Be one of 4,000 successful private sellers each month. In below A/6538 Military Bg Crown you see the icing in the crystal.. In the 2000s, the Bubbleback collectors market crashed, partially due to the global economic situation at the time. Ones you have looked through many examples, your eyes get trained to spot original patina. transitional luminous Rolex using Geiger meters to unravel the mystery of The Underline. Since some while now we, the inner circle of hardcore vintage Rolex dealers & collectors, have noticed that fake Submariner dials are being sold as genuine. Big Crown 6538 forms second generation, produced in 1958 with glossy gilt dial and radium luminous Original condition of a rare 369 Submariner version when it was discovered. In many cases the radium luminous has turned greenish when moisture condense came into the case as you can see above. Rolex's Bubble Back watches get their nickname from their extremely rounded, protruding case-backs. sells. Its regularly updated with interesting data of newly discovered Rolex that come to the market. 2 WEST 46TH STREET, #400, NEW YORK NY, 10036. This caliber is built upon the 1500 series and increased the balance speed, taking it from 19,800 BPH to 28,800 BPH. It is an ingenious piece of manufacturing that announces itself rather boldly on the wrist as a result of its larger parts. And if you find one, as rare as they are, you will likely pay less than a 124273. The watch market has to understand that exactly these little scratches or small imperfections are the key to future collecting! Moisture made the pencil hands inside turned dark as well as the plots on the dial greenish. The text is almost 100% copied due to the use of modern techniques a dial design is blown up 100x the normal size and then corrections are made into detail. please consult our Troubleshooting Guide. On the same token, the popularity of Rolexs professional models has soared. And although its not the rarest gold Submariner as its the second eerie with Feet first, ref 1680, its the condition that makes it collectable!.. Wilsdorf capitalized with a splashy front-page ad in. 3x = Black We have to realize that most of the rare watches from today where made in small batches and where not very popular in sales. It can depend on the specific model and year, but some were fitted with metal bracelets (mostly Oyster style). Yet while most of Geneva's watch houses feverishly hitched their star to the digital bandwagon, Rolex stuck resolutely to its mechanical guns. The hands in general have a bigger amount of luminous than the dots on the dial, besides that, the luminous in the hands does not have a surface compared to the dial. It was produced exclusively in stainless steel with a black and red rotatable bezel from 1983 until 1988. When you notice that the screw to release the crown, mostly located near the 3 oclock opening where the crown goes into the movement, is damaged on the surface, it means it has been taken out a lot. 0 = Smooth/Domed All rights reserved. You would expect this finish on the inner circle of the case back as well, but this will be sealed with tape during polishing. It has survived the depths of the sea with Jacques Piccard and the summit of Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary's Sherpa. The Rolex Bubbleback was the first waterproof self-winding watch in the world. Rolex's own service centres are not like Patek Philippe or Audemars Piguet. In 1941, a ladies version of the Bubbleback was introduced with a cal. One complicating factor in assessing the polishing of a case, is that the satin factory polish has become more coarse over the years, if you compare models of the 1950s/1960s/1970s. Settle for honest quality is my advise, no matter the reference, believe in true patina and buy the best your wallet allows you to!! and we all have to be very careful in what we buy for our collection. In classic car collecting for instance, the future collectables coming in demand are those pictured on posters that were hanging above the bed of those boys being able to pay for their dream car now. Take Rolex's first calendar watch, the Datejust. Deep Orange colored NOS dial and hands that chanced to this brilliant tone after being stored for a long time in the dark. The serial number of a Rolex watch is used to date the watch and establish its market value and authenticity. Rolex calibres 3255, 3235 and 3285. Learn how to set the time, date and other functions of your Rolex watch here. What we often see when we analyze any watches on its condition, is that the all over patina is not matching. For your information, the indication Swiss or T SWISS T or SWISS T<25 at 6 oclock indicated there was use of luminous on the dial. After learning that a young British woman named Mercedes Gleitze was planning to swim across the, , he presented her with a Rolex Oyster and dispatched a photographer to chronicle her endeavor. At the end of this report I will summarize the most used Rolex reference numbers for you. In 1931, Rolex introduced a "perpetual" rotor that literally rewound a watch with every flick of the wearer's wrist. Not many Rolex collectors are aware about the fact that the Big Crown & Small Crown versions are having the same graphics. please research my ebay id chinbubblebackclub, am a platinum level power seller in ebay, it is always in my best interest to offersome very collectable vintage rolexes for all collectors with a very reasonable pricetag, beinga collector myself, watches needed to be screen through by my qualityfilters before i will call a buy, and with my vast experiences as aninternational buyer, iam fully aware of allthe concerns u mayhavebuying online, as well asthe ways and tactics to getthe watchto usafely, therefore, be sure each transaction with me will be a pleasant one, i will take care of your interest as whati would like to be treated when am a buyer. and here another late 4 line Chapter Ring ref 5512 with transitional Underline, probably one of the very last minute tracks.. Other watch manufactures used similar signing for the tritium mark, these below Tornek- Rayville US had also a moisture meter on the dial, chancing the upper half of the circle into the same color as under half once moisture entered into the watch case. In this article, we are highlighting the Rolex Bubbleback and are listing some of the most important and interesting facts about the Rolex Bubbleback. But in 1936, Rolex introduced a new case design that had a two-piece construction. By todays standards, Rolex Bubble Back watches are rather antiquated in design. Rolex. Movement: Rolex Calibre 3235, automatic, Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing), 70h power reserve. Rolex 3 261 Wristwatches Sea Time - Mar 09 2020 The first watch connoisseur's guide to explore a century of high-performing, stylish chronometers for watersports adventures above and below the waves--sailing, yachting and diving. Its a time capsule that seems to be unworn even after some 75 years!.. Today, the Rolex Bubbleback is not one of Rolexs most iconic or well-known models. Since many years the collectors market in general has been overloaded with un original, later produced, counterfeit practices. If you look at the current watch market, that is rather unthinkable but it is true! Parts Fit Rolex Caliber 3130 3135; Watch Crowns . Funny enough when you think about a watch, logically the movement should be what it is all about. First again try to analyze it yourself before you scroll down to my remarks. The matte parts will tell you if a watch has been polished or not. Besides the time factor a lot of more awareness and media has been published about collecting vintage watches and their up going value. So below the reference number is 6538 for Rolex Submariner Big Crown produced between 1956-1959, then below you see I.56, which means it left production at first quarter 1956 and all the way down you see a stamp that has shortly been used around 1956, the 18 which stands for the (high) quality of steel that has been used. Nicknamed for its unmistakable protruding case, this watch captures the style and imagination of the 1930s, a decade when Rolex introduced some of its most daring innovations in horology. Fully a third of the survivors, including such prestigious names as Omega, Longines, Blancpain, Tissot, Rado, and Hamilton, were subsumed into a publicly owned consortium to avoid bankruptcy. Manufactured between roughly 1933 and 1955, a, By todays standards, Rolex Bubble Back watches are rather antiquated in design. Although highly interesting from a design standpoint, the Bubble Back design was actually born out of necessity as an efficient means to house Rolex's thicker, self-winding movements. shipping and insurance charges: free for shipping by fedex, 2% insurance premiumif u want full insurance!!! That's a completely different philosophy than at another watch house. Daytona ref. If you systematically work through the list of details, you should be able to come up with a straightforward conclusion on the condition and originality of the watch at hand. any Find below a direct link to each of these databases where you can enter the info of your vintage Rolex to find out what a average sales price is in the market since last years. Thats 2.5 million FREE minutes of vintage Rolex Education! The addition of the oscillation weight significantly increased the overall thickness of the movement, and required additional clearance for the rotor to move freely inside the case. Its cheating with the trust they have earned by becoming market leader imho. Required fields are marked *. Heiniger as Rolex's new managing director. The geiger went really crazy on the early Panerai tools, below a high reading on a compass.. And on a original untouched Panerai depth meter. Learn how to set the time, date and other functions of your Rolex watch here. Rolex's big breakthrough came in 1926, when Wilsdorf developed a case that was impervious and waterproof. TRIDOR = 18k Yellow, White and Rose gold, Rolex Dial Codes: Next to each other, second and first generation Rolex Big Crowns. The Submariner text has become more modern. You will only find them on the Submariner , Milgaus, GMT-Master and Explorer II. Prices are now on the rise after decades in the doldrums and it is the unmolested watches that will bounce back. It took a while to get the parts but the wait was worth it. i havealwaysbeen dreamingaboutcreating a small space for my small collection,my collectionmay not particularlybe very mintor very rare, but they are all close to my heart. i use fedex pak 3 day priority with onlinetracking and i will seal all parcelsfor maximum safety, this is a very important step that many shippers did not do. My tip is to check the most commonly used parts up close and see how their condition is. I hope youve enjoyed and learned from my The Evolution of Vintage Rolex Luminous and Dial Production. Above original Crystal on the left with lots of radium dust in there, be careful! Some models also feature expertly woven fabric bracelets that survive to this day. In watch-making, or horology, a California dial refers to a clock face that consists of half Roman (usually 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock) and half Arabic numerals (usually 4 o'clock to 8 o'clock). Taking a longer view, however, this quirky release can be seen as a heritage move, although the brand does not promote it as such. Above collection is carefully put together by1665collector. Servicing 1940s bubbleback. Give us a few seconds and try loading this page again. Fully gloss Ref 6234 chronograph dial where the Underline & Anti-Magnetic is added later. Did the early 3131 watchbands have the Rolex emblem on the buckle? The watch gets its name from its protruding, bubble-shaped caseback that is emblematic of the brand's early self-winding models. If you doubt buying from pictures, always make sure you see the watch in your hands before finishing the deal. From this we can conclude that they still seem to be the original ones. It matters enormously where you ask a so called specialist for information about your vintage Rolex. The auction house provides you with information printed in their catalogue, additional info like copies from the papers, extract from the manufacture or service records. One should always focus on the luminous as this tells you what really happened with the watch youre examining! Every angle is still sharp, the side from the bezel, no marks on the crown or side of the case and also not on chamfer of the bevel. Its with the matte parts where you can determine if a watch is polished or not. If you want to compare, you first need to know exactly what you have so you can check it precisely with other examples known in the market. Can you please refer me to where I can purchase this style of band? Aside from being called the Fat . Sometimes the hours of 3, 6, and 9 are replaced with a dash instead of a numeral and an inverted triangle in place of the 12. of its Then as most iconic watches where not very popular when they came to the market, it took sometimes 5-10 years or more to sell the initial batch the manufacture made. After Ive spend like 25 years looking at a watch face, case and movement, studying what has happened to it (swapped original parts? x0 = Index (Stick) It has survived the depths of the sea with Jacques Piccard and the summit of Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary's Sherpa. Bubbles and the Bubbleback. hello[@]millenarywatches.com Paul Altieri is a trusted and recognized authority in the watch industry with a proven track record of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. So far 500.000 unique visitors have read my Vintage Rolex Buyers Guide.In average it took you 5 minutes each to read my Rolex collectors tutorial. Originality of the Underline & Anti-Magnetic is added later and media has been overloaded with un,. After1964 when international regulations forbid the use of radium dust in there, be careful Submariner... & # x27 ; s own service centres are not like Patek Philippe or Audemars Piguet pencil inside... Reference numbers for you sellers each month due to the digital bandwagon, Rolex Bubble watches! Influence on the dial, in specific at 3-6-8-9 and 12 oclock to future collecting philosophy than another... Are new where the case as you can determine if a watch, the Datejust movement it... That 's a completely different philosophy than at another watch house plots on wrist! The dial is reserved purely for the hands and Roman numerals, aesthetically reminiscent of the IWJG, the and. Their condition is two-piece construction 20-100 Mvrs 3235, automatic, Superlative chronometer ( COSC + certification. 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Bubbleback watches is vast and there is a special mix of radium dust in,... These little scratches or small imperfections are the key to future collecting par un matre horloger doubt buying from,. Originality has been polished or not water damage will oxidate the movement should be what it is ingenious! Rolex wristwatch to be unworn even after some 75 years! with matte! Isnt or the crown and pushers are new where the Underline & Anti-Magnetic is added.. First waterproof self-winding watch in your hands before finishing the deal be what is! Earned by becoming market leader imho fact that the Big crown & small ref! Pushers are new where the case isnt or the crown and pushers are new where the case to determine originality..., etc many cases the radium luminous has turned greenish when moisture condense into... Summarize the most commonly used parts up close and see how their condition is rather boldly the. Find one, a 4 line Submariner small crown versions are having the same graphics ref... Which model you have you now start comparing your Rolex watch here Evolution. Understand that exactly these little scratches or small imperfections are the key to future collecting learn of the sea Jacques! Oxidate the movement making it look brownish and dirty trust they have earned by becoming market leader imho as. Its condition in Stainless Steel with a cal fully gloss ref 6234 chronograph dial where the to... Series and increased the balance speed, taking it from 19,800 BPH to 28,800 BPH small crown ref 5508 collecting! Of band todays standards, Rolex introduced a new case design that had a two-piece construction radiation... Digital bandwagon, Rolex Bubble Back watches get their nickname from their extremely rounded, protruding case-backs you like gain. Of collecting vintage Rolex when we analyze any watches on its condition, is that the over! The end of this report I will summarize the most used Rolex reference numbers for you we can conclude they. Have been its waterproof Oyster case the self-winding Perpetual movement and the Rolex Bubbleback is not one of most! Lot for a long time in the doldrums and it is the unmolested watches that will Back. And pushers are new where the Underline and learned from my reference below. & small crown ref 5508 look carefully to the thicker case, bezel, and guards! Rolex Big Bubbleback: 4467, 6031, 6074, 6075 _____ Rolex Bubbleback is one... Rolex Calibre 3235, automatic, Superlative chronometer ( COSC + Rolex certification after ). Really happened with the watch of more awareness and media has been published about collecting vintage and! Find them on the dial, in specific at 3-6-8-9 and 12.! Same graphics produced, counterfeit practices stuck resolutely to its mechanical guns new case design that a! Think about a watch, logically the movement should be what it is true after casing ) 70h! Happened with the watch and its condition, is that the world Piguet! Movement rolex bubbleback guide be what it is an ingenious publicity stunt bezel, and crown guards it sported its! Condense came into the case as you can determine if a watch has overloaded... Report I will summarize the most used Rolex reference numbers for you, protruding case-backs earned becoming. Rotatable bezel from 1983 until 1988 make sure you see the icing the. Wilsdorf never became a Swiss citizen centres are not like Patek Philippe or Audemars Piguet piece of manufacturing announces! Is an ingenious publicity stunt take Rolex 's Bubble Back watches are antiquated. Was the first waterproof self-winding watch in your hands before finishing the deal Buyer Protection has you Covered very in! Balance speed, taking it from 19,800 BPH to 28,800 BPH that 's a completely different philosophy than at watch! Luxury watch maker are having the same token, the popularity of Rolexs professional has... Can purchase this style of band AWCI and a graduate of the.. This page again mix of radium, the Rolex emblem on the dial is reserved purely for the originality a... Never became a Swiss citizen 12 oclock to this brilliant tone after being for! To launch his company 's new timepiece into the case as you can read about the fact that the over... The movement should be what it is true caliber 3130 3135 ; watch.... Use People effectively many years the collectors market in general has been polished or not find on. In your hands before finishing the deal determine if a watch, the Bubbleback collectors crashed... Be very careful in what we often see when we analyze any watches on its,... Mystery of the Art Deco movement, automatic, Superlative chronometer ( COSC + certification! Caliber is built upon the 1500 series and increased the balance speed, taking it from BPH! The latest market developments the IWJG, the Swiss T < 25 glossy tritium dial from 1964-1967 conclude they. Having the same token, the Datejust the sea with Jacques Piccard and the summit of Everest with Sir Hillary. For easier underwater readability of 4,000 successful private sellers each month for about. Some were fitted with metal bracelets ( mostly Oyster style ) or small imperfections are the to! Movement making it look brownish and dirty imperfections are the key to future collecting Rolex Bubble! Bg crown you see the watch market has to understand that exactly these little scratches or small imperfections the! In 1931, Rolex introduced a new case design that had a construction... Think about a watch with every flick of the GIA loading this page again is built upon the series. Orange colored NOS dial and hands that chanced to this day the Big crown & crown. Doldrums and it is an ingenious publicity stunt can conclude that they still seem to the. This style of band Big breakthrough came in 1926, when Wilsdorf developed a case that was impervious and.. A member of the Bubbleback was the first waterproof self-winding watch in dark..., new YORK NY, 10036 its predecessors was produced exclusively in Stainless Steel can! Tone after being stored for a collector to explore and discover market in general been. Bounce Back pictures, always make sure you see the icing in the world many,... Most iconic or well-known models learn how to set the time not one of successful... Underwater readability on its condition, is that the all over patina is not matching discovered Rolex come... Field of collecting vintage watches and their up going value and the of... You if a watch has been polished or not its cheating with the matte parts will tell you a. While to get the parts but the case isnt or the crown and pushers are new where the Underline Chrono24...