Rolex Bubbleback, tropical model with rose gold top and stainless steel caseback, with original salmon luminous dial and with rare Rolex stainless steel and rose gold “beads of rice” bracelet with deployment clasp. Very interesting and beautiful vintage bubble back model case serial # 269,xxx which dates the watch to 1943 or 1944. This is a very interesting model in many respects. The case back bears the name of the original owner, who presumably acquired the watch overseas during WWII , as the production year predates the distribution of Rolex watches in the United States. Furthermore, the watch comes with an original salmon color dial with radium luminous arabic numbers and mirrored track. The watch furthermore comes with the rare and very desirable stainless steel and rose gold beads of rice bracelet with original, and not a later replacement clasp. The watch is further enhanced by the inclusion of the optical box presumably used for shipping the watch for service with a postmark of 1944 from New Orleans, Louisiana. The return address shows Dixie Optical Company, and hand written in pencil on the back of the box reads “Doc’s watch.” Presumably the watch was shipped to an unknown U.S. service location for service in 1944 judging from the U.S. 1st class, and non airmail postage which was used. A great looking and interesting historical look back on the ownership of this particular vintage Rolex model. (Additional details of the M.D. who owned this watch are still being researched at this time)