Love the Rolex Bubbleback

This is one of the watches that the Rolex brand’s stellar reputation was built upon. The watch embodies two of the developments which Rolex perfected: the waterproof case and the automatic winding mechanism.

The waterproof watch case was a priority for watchmakers ever since the watch moved from being an object carried in the pocket, to an item worn on the wrist. On the wrist the watch is subjected to a far harsher environment than the cosseted pocket watch! Rolex’s solution to this problem was twofold: firstly they use a tightly fitted threaded case back, which solved the problems associated with the snap on backs of pocket watches. Secondly they developed a screw-down winding crown, thus addressing the other area of weakness in traditional case design.

The watch is also an automatic, which means it doesn’t need winding by hand every day, instead the mainspring winds up from the everyday movement of the wearer’s wrist. This was partly for convenience, but mostly because it meant the wearer would not need to unscrew the winding crown, except to occasionally re-set the time and thus prevent undue wear to the waterproof threads and seal.

This model is known as a bubbleback, the automatic winding module was considerably  thicker than a conventional hand-winding one and, rather than compromise the appearance of the case, Rolex created space for the movement within the bulbous case back.The Rolex Bubbleback is the first reliable automatic watch produced during the 1930s. It is this model that helped Rolex established its name in the horological world.

I have always love the Rolex bubbeback and during the late 1980s and 1990s, these watches are more collectible that the Rolex sports watches.Despite the ubiquitous name, Rolex never engraved “Bubbleback” anywhere on the watch or officially recognized the name.  However, the thick auto-rotor required a fatter case, and the decision was made to move the case out in the back rather than make the watch larger overall.  This led not only to the English designation of “Bubbleback” but the Italian ovettone or “Little Egg,” as well as the more sinister “Little Coffin” name in Hong Kong. Lately, the prices of these have slowly escalated as there are more and more collectors turning to find these values for money watches. May of the 3rd tiers brands watch prices have also escalated owing to the internet demand.