Item Number: WFS102

Status: SOLD

Style: Rolex Oyster Perpetual -- Earliest Known Datable Production Bubbleback -- EXTREMELY RARE !!

Model no: None -- the earliest Bubblebacks did not receive a "model number" designation, as they were still
considered a sort of "protoype".

Case "Serial" no: 29546. After doing extensive research, I am convinced that this is one of the very earliest
example of the production Bubbleback in existence.

Some experts believe that the Bubbleback started production at serial number 29500, (with the "Oyster" starting at serial number 20000). If this is true, that would make this only the 46th production Bubbleback ever produced, and considering that we are talking about watches produced over 70 years ago, it is possibly the earliest example still in existence.

I have been unable to find a SINGLE example featuring an earlier serial number -- On page 80 of the 2001 book, The Best of Time: Rolex Wristwatches, by Dowling & Hess, a similar watch (with serial number 29562) is described as being "the earliest known datable bubbleback". However, that was before our watch was discovered in early 2004.

Circa: 1933 (Glassgow Hallmarks)

Movement: Original Rolex Hunter movement with first series Auto Rotor back plate (featuring "watch maker's
instructions") - It is important to note that this watch is NOT equipped with the over-wind clutch. The very
EARLIEST examples did not feature this clutch, which means when you wind it to the end of the mainspring the
winder will stop like a "manual wind" watch. Later examples have a clutch that kicks in and allows the winder to
continue turning freely (to prevent overwinding), as is the case on current models. This is one way to identify the
earliest series Bubblebacks.

It is also worth mentioning that the earliest examples featured the Auto Rotor simply "piggy backed" onto the back of the Hunter movement, as is the case here. It was this extra thickness which resulted in the bubble shape to the back of the case, and thus the subsequent nickname "Bubbleback". Over the decades that followed, the movements were eventually slimmed down and the Bubbleback nickname was dropped, as it was no longer relevant.

Dial: Original UNTOUCHED "Rolex Oyster Perpetual" (sub seconds) dial, with "applied" hour markers, featuring
a BEAUTIFUL aged brown patina - The earliest examples featured very simple dials. Please note the that the
markings on the dial are PERFECT (with no loss of paint), and have NOT been "retouched". Note the French
designation "FAB. SUISSE" at the bottom of the dial, below the "SWISS MADE" -- again, present on the earliest
examples.

Crown: Original "Patent Oyster" over-sized screw down crown.

Hands: Original basic stick (black) hands.

Case: Original 3-piece screw-down 9 kt gold case (with original back lead seal intact), and fixed springbars
(common to early UK examples) - Caseback features the following inscription: "R.B. MORGAN, ESQ, from THE
TEACHERS of CROYDON 1935".

After doing extensive research, I have been able to track down the provinance of this incredibly historic timepiece. The original owner, Robert Burn Morgan, was a Captain in WWI (Royal Garrison Artillery), and later an Education Office in the Croydon school burrow (some 10 miles south of London), until he resigned for health reasons in 1935. A 4-page detailed biography on this gentleman's life (researched by the Croydon Historical Archives) will be included with the watch. Furthermore, this watch will be featured in an upcoming magazine article I am writing on the early Bubblebacks.

Band / Bracelet: Leather "fixed-lug" band included.

Case size: 31 mm (outer case dimensions -- not including crown).

Description: What more can I say. Everything about this watch screams museum-quality. This is a truely once in a
lifetime opportunity. It is more than just a watch, but rather a piece of Rolex history. It is simply an incredible
example of the earliest "Perpetual" self-winding watch ever made. My watchmaker spent over 4 months delicately
cleaning, regulating and pampering this watch, and it is running VERY STRONG. He made every effort NOT to do
anything that would detract from the originality of the timepiece.

Please Note: Antiquorum recently gave this watch an "Experts' Overall Opinion" rating of AAA (i.e. Excellent) with regards to its "General Condition; Quality; Technical and Historical Interest; Age; Rarity"

Warranty: While this watch is in very good condition for its age, it is, in fact, a 72+ year old watch and therefore we cannot place any kind of service warranty on it. However, upon purchasing the watch I will give you the (independent) watchmaker's name who did the cleaning and restoration so you may speak to him regarding its condition, originality and rarity.

Additional Images: Movement, Dial Angle, Case Back

Estimated Value: ???? It is very difficult to place a value on an historical timepiece such as this. However, Dowling & Hess "estimated" the value of their "earliest known datable bubbleback" at $9,000 - $10,000, and that was back in 2001.

Selling Price: SOLD

UPS 2nd Day Air (Insured) Shipping: FREE In the US -- email us for International shipping Rates.

Email us (or call 1.866.99.ROLEX -- 1.866.997.6539) for more info on this watch.

I will also include a complimentary (autographed) copy of my book The Rolex Report: An Unauthorized Reference Book for the Rolex Enthusiast with this watch.