Today's offering features this beautiful Model 5050 Bubbleback made circa 1948. Named "Bubblebacks" by watch collectors, due to the heavily domed case backs needed to accommodate the large automatic movements, these exclusive watches are very fine and desirable.

Housed in one of Rolex's first watertight 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 slight movements of the wrist. Equipped with a 9 3/4''' Rolex Bubbleback movement featuring Rolex's patented Super Balance system, nineteen jewels, and a self-compensating Breguet mainspring, this fine watch easily met the timekeeping standards of even the most discriminating owners.

Its massive and thick, stainless steel case is very well-preserved. Its black, "California" Rolex dial is beautiful, previously professionally restored by one of the leading dial experts in North America. And its high-grade, Rolex Perpetual movement is clean and keeping time.

The parts of the watch are all original, and it has been previously fitted with a rare period Rolex by Cromwell bracelet.

It was recently cleaned and oiled. We chose to leave the original crown and other parts on the watch. Unless you position the crown in the right position, while at times the winding doesn't feel perfect, it is still very functional. And if positioned in the right spot, it feels much smoother.

Note: A published example of this model can be found in Osvaldo Patrizzi's work Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches, 2001 Edition, Vol. 1, p. 215.

References 6050 and 5050 are identical except that Ref. 6050 has a “Super-Oyster” crown and Ref. 5050 has a traditional Oyster crown. The caliber 620 was created in 1936; it was in regular production from 1940 to 1951.

• Manufacturer: Rolex
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Year built: c. 1948
• Model: Reference 5050
• Functions: Time, Automatic, Sweep Seconds
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: Stainless steel
• Case markings (outside): No. 661649, 5050
• Case markings (inside): Rolex, Geneve, Suisse, Ref. 5050
• Case condition: Excellent with light wear. Presents very nicely on the wrist.
• Dial: Black, mixed Roman and Arabic luminous indexes, previously expertly restored, just short of mint with a couple of small areas of wear on the very edge
• Dimensions: 32mm wide (excluding crown), 39.5mm long lug tip-to-tip, 13.5mm thick
• Hands: Luminous Mercedes hands
• Movement type: Highest quality, Cal. 620, 9 ¾''', rhodium-plated, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, Superbalance timed to 6 positions, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, micrometer regulator
• Movement markings: Rolex Perpetual, Chronometer, Swiss Made, Patented
• Band: Signed Rolex and Cromwell (Cromwell was contracted by Rolex to make bracelets for their watches sold in the U.S.), period, adjustable, spring loaded expanding links, designed to fit a wrist up to approx. 191 mm (approx. 7.5 inches) without beginning to stretch the links (expands to over 8.5 inches/216mm), great condition
• Width between lugs: 17mm
• Crystal: Acrylic, excellent condition
• Serviced: Recently cleaned and oiled. We chose to leave the original crown and other parts on the watch. Unless you position the crown in the right position, while at times the winding doesn't feel perfect, it is still very functional. And if positioned in the right spot, it feels much smoother.
• Timing: Keeping time within approximately 2 minutes per day.
• Warranty: None offered.
• 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