Rolex Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback Ref.6084 10ct 1952

Rolex

Founded in 1905 in England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, the partnership became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915 and moved to its new Geneva headquarters in 1919. The success of the wristwatch can be largely attributed to many of Rolex’s innovations which made the company one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These have included its famous “Oyster” case — the world’s first water-resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and its “Perpetual” — the world’s first reliable, self-winding movement for the wristwatch, launched in 1933. These would form the foundation for Rolex’s Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956. Also and equally importantly, Rolex is known for its sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

During the 1930s and ’40s, Rolex also became quite masterful at courting tremendous publicity and excitement through literally being ‘on hand’ during numerous record-breaking events. These were, for example, swimming the English Channel (1927), breaking the world automobile speed record (300mph, 1935), breaking the sound barrier (1947) and climbing Everest for the first time in 1953. No matter how well orchestrated these events came to be, we have to admire Rolex for becoming masters of self-promotion and capitalising on every opportunity with simultaneous worldwide marketing campaigns.

Of course, Rolex is now so ubiquitous it is almost its own kind of its currency. A Rolex is the watch you want on your wrist when you’re in a Third World country when revolution breaks out and there’s only one seat on the plane, – and there’s a guy standing there with a machine gun! You give him a Rolex and he’ll give you the seat!

Description

This is a classic Rolex Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback, with a charming, fully original, unrestored and untouched off-white dial carrying mixed hour indices and original ‘lance’ hands. This is Rolex model reference 6084 with the Calibre 10½” A269 Chronometer automatic movement.

This is one of the earliest Rolex Oyster Perpetuals with the larger 34mm Bubbleback 10ct gold case. It carries the rare Super Oyster crown (see below) and the sought after plain bezel, which along with the rest of the case, is in wonderful condition.

This watch is superb throughout and is very much the classic Rolex timepiece, perfectly suited for all occasions and also for everyday use.

The Dial

The original, fully original, unrestored and untouched off-white cream dial looks superb with the original ‘lance’ hands and mixed ‘3 – 6 – 9’ standard Arabic numerals and ‘arrowhead’ hour indices. This dial shows some delicate and unique signs of ageing in the gentle spotting and fading, as can be seen in the photographs.

The dial is the model of Rolex 1950s elegance and simplicity. The absence of a date function contributes to the perfectly balanced dial, crowned of course with the perennial Rolex ‘Coronet’ at 12 o’clock.

The dial is simply signed ‘Rolex Oyster Perpetual’ and ‘Officially Certified Chronometer’ with ‘Swiss,’ at the very bottom.

The dial has a great deal of appeal due to its classic signs of ageing and very even patina, including some beautiful even spotting across the dial, as mentioned above. Due to its relatively good condition and for reasons of retaining the character and the originality of the watch, we have left it completely alone. If however, you would prefer the dial sympathetically restoring, we will be happy to arrange this for you without any extra charge.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the unaided eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

The original high grade, Rolex Calibre 10½ ” A269, 19 Jewel Chronometer automatic movement is in superb condition. The watch is running perfectly following a complete overhaul and service by our vintage Rolex specialist watchmaker. This involves completely dismantling the movement to all its component parts, close examination under high magnification, then using only genuine Rolex replacement parts where required, careful reassembly and lubrication using Rolex specified lubricants.

This particular movement is sparkling clean and winds, sets and runs perfectly, just as it should. When finally tested following its overhaul, this watch was found to be keeping superb time to within +7 seconds per day! This is outstanding for any watch of this age. We are therefore highly confident in offering this watch with a 12-month warranty on the movement* and will also be very happy to assist you with competitively priced servicing in the future.

These Chronometer grade movements are very strong, very accurate and very reliable making this watch perfectly suitable for both evening wear and everyday use, should you so wish. This movement is in superb, sparkling clean, A1 condition and with regular servicing, say every 3 – 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to run happily another lifetime!

The movement is correctly signed ‘Rolex Perpetual Chronometer’, ‘Swiss Made’ along with the movement serial number 22359.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Case

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Bubblebacks draw their name from the bulbous case-back designed to accommodate Rolex’s early Calibre 10½” A269 automatic movement and rotor. The movements are deeper on these earlier Oyster Perpetuals, produced between 1950 and circa 1954 and these are popularly known as the ‘large’ Bubblebacks, as these watches had a 34mm Oyster case, as opposed to the ‘small’ Rolex Bubblebacks which were produced with a 32mm case, between 1934 and 1950.

This is the classic Rolex Oyster Perpetual waterproof* case in 10ct yellow gold which measures 34mm in diameter, excluding the crown. Remarkably, this watch still has its original Super Oyster (non screw-down) crown. This is rare, partly because these were only produced for only around two or three years and also because many of these were later converted to the later screw-down Oyster crowns.

This Rolex model reference 6084 Bubbleback case carries the sought after plain bezel, which just like the rest of the case – the sides, lugs and case-back – is in superb condition.

The case has been professionally cleaned and lightly polished and is looking superb. Inside the case-back all is correct and as expected; signed with the beautifully ornate early Rolex branding, along with ‘ROLEX PATENTED’, the model ref ‘6084’ and two Swiss 10ct hallmarks.

On the outside of the case, between the lugs at 12 we find the model reference number 6084 again and between the lugs at 6 we find the case serial number 753298, dating this watch to 1952.

Please note – as part of the restoration we have replaced all the rubber seals on the case-back and the winding crown and stem tube. However, although the watch was specified as waterproof when new, this has not been tested and it is not guaranteed. As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

A high quality blue Alligator strap has been fitted, along with a matching gold-plated Rolex buckle. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black straps in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin. We can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their Hirsch range of 19mm straps if you wish here.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with the watch, the numbers and markings are all correct, dating this watch to 1952.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

The Rolex Oyster presentation box shown in the photographs is included in the sale.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

In Conclusion

We have here a superb example of an early 1950s vintage gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback in immaculate condition. It is the classic Rolex automatic of the period, the evolution of which remains in production to this day. It is completely practical for every day and much more interesting, charming and individual than the modern equivalent. With careful use and if treated with care, this watch will make an excellent investment and heirloom piece.

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We therefore consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

If you have any questions, please call us on 0207 727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

Please note, we welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at sensible prices. Please see here.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.

Thank you.