Before sporting watches like the Submariner and Sea-Dweller were a gleam in Rolex's eye, they first developed the "Oyster," at the time the world's finest waterproof watch. Following up the success of the first Oysters, Rolex created the Oyster Perpetual line, the pre-cursor to the modern sporting watch.

Today's offering showcases this very fine and rare early Rolex Bubbleback made in the 1930's. Named "Bubblebacks" by watch collectors, due to the heavily domed case backs needed to accommodate the early, large automatic movements, these exclusive watches are very fine and desirable.

Ours is a less common steel and rose gold ref. 3132. The two-tone case is beautiful and the matching dial gives the watch a striking and elegant vintage look.

Housed in one of Rolex's first water-tight Oyster cases, this wristwatch offered its owner complete protection against water, dust, and perspiration. Inside the rugged case Rolex placed an early self-winding Perpetual movement, keeping the watch powered by movements of the wrist. Equipped with a 9 3/4''' Rolex Bubbleback movement featuring nineteen jewels, a self-compensating Breguet mainspring, and Rolex's special Super Balance system, this fine mechanism achieved chronometer status.

It is fully Rolex down to the dial, the original "Mercedes" hands, and the winding crown.

The dial is a very early refinishing - it looks to almost be from the period the watch was made. The high-grade Rolex Perpetual movement is clean.

Our watchmaker has just freshly cleaned and oiled the movement which winds very smoothly and is keeping time within approximately 1.5 seconds/per hour.

We have left its original/vintage period rose gold tone and steel bracelet on it; we also stock lizard and a variety of others straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity

• Manufacturer: Rolex
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Year built: c. 1938
• Serial no.: 50,399
• Model: Reference 3132
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Automatic, Subsidiary Seconds
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: Stainless steel and rose gold
• Case markings (inside): R.W.C, Geneve, Suisse, 3132, 31 Victories, Brevete, Haute Precision
• Case condition: Honest condition condition with signs of polishing and age spots on the back. Back also has the usual wrench wear to the grooves and one indention.
• Dimensions: 32mm wide (excluding crown), 40mm long lug tip-to-tip, 13.5mm thick
• Dial: Salmon, luminous Arabic indexes, signed Rolex Oyster Perpetual Chronometer, very early refinishing. Please inquire if you would like it freshly refinished.
• Hands: Original, blue steel, "Mercedes" hour and minute hands, blue steel sub seconds hand
• Movement type: Rolex, self winding automatic, Cal. 9 3/4''', rhodium-plated, 19 jewels, straight line lever escapement, Super Balance, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring
• Movement markings: Rolex Auto Rotor, Super Balance, Chronometer, Swiss Made, Patented
• Jewels: 19 rubies
• Band: Original/vintage period rose gold plated and steel expansion bracelet. We also stock lizard and a variety of others straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
• Width between lugs: 17mm
• Crystal type: Acrylic, mint condition  
• Serviced: Yes. freshly cleaned and oiled.
• Timing: Timed on a state-of-the-art computerized system - keeping time within approx. 1.5 seconds/per hour.
• Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide