A fine condition example Rolex 14K rose gold Oyster Perpetual bubbleback ref 3131 circa 1940’s. Featuring a 32mm diameter tonneau shaped 3 piece case with screw down smooth bezel, screw down case back, and original and period correct screw down period rose gold Oyster Patent crown. This fine example rose gold bubbleback features a beautiful 2 tone rose “sector” dial with luminous figures and mercedes hands. The dial is signed SWISS at the bottom. (please see notes below about bubbleback dials)

This bubbleback is powered by self winding Rolex N/A movement with sweep seconds. Recently fully serviced by one of our veteran watchmakers and in excellent operating condition. Offered with your choice of 17mm sporty leather or dressy exotic skin strap.

We invite you to review 2 recent articles on bubblebacks one in Hodinkee and the other in GQ Magazine on line in which we were interviewed and quoted extensively due to our long history and relationship with bubblebacks. In addition to the allure and variety of case metals and dial configurations of this popular category of watches is the challenge of locating necessary parts to properly service these watches.

In particular is the rotor axle, which supports and makes possible the self winding mechanism. This part was recently replaced on this watch, as part of a full service, and it is now in excellent running condition. However, we are offering it without our usual 1 year warranty, due to the challenge we would face in the event the watch is dropped or otherwise damaged, and we are without means to supply needed parts.

NOTE on bubbleback dials and hands: During the height of their popularity in the late 1980s and 1990s bubbleback dials were often refinished to satisfy the demand for pretty and desirable dial configurations. During this era, a trove of sector configuration dials including the current example came onto the market. They were represented as original dials, but we can not confirm whether this dial is in fact original, a service dial or later produced. Likely the mercedes hands on this watch were replacement hands as well.

The Bubbleback Story: Bubblebacks marked the introduction of the first successful self winding wrist watch movement. The name bubble back derives from the rounded caseback to accommodate the self winding movement. The bubble back model was introduced in 1933 and was continued well into the late 1940’s with countless variations of metal and dial configuration. Bubble backs were made in stainless steel, steel and gold, rose gold, 9K, 10K, 14K, 18K, hooded case variations, even manual wind versions in the 1930’s. The early models through the 1940’s featured dials with luminous indexes and luminous hands. Later in the 1950’s, the dials had generally less interesting with small raised dial indexes and non luminous hands. While bubble backs are no longer the staple of every collection, partly due to surge in popularity of the larger sport models, the bubble back we offer here is a great looking and classic example, suitable for a man’s small or woman’s wrist.