1946 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 'Bubbleback' Ref. 3130 In 14k Yellow Gold

Why This Watch Matters When the Rolex "Bubbleback" was first released, it set a new standard in sport watch design. This example is fitted with a two-piece case made entirely of 14k yellow gold. The Full Story Looking back at the history of watch design allows for reflection on what was going on in the world during a specific watch's inception, and the Rolex Bubbleback is no exception to the rule. The watch design first appeared in Rolex's catalog in the early 1930s, a time when wristwatches were beginning to become the dominant form of timekeeping when on the go. They became popular for practical purposes, allowing the wearer to easily tell time by glancing at one's wrist rather than pulling a pocket watch out of, well, a pocket. Simultaneously, the demand for accurate and durable timekeeping devices were called upon for advanced military application. Despite the gloomy backdrop of an era marked by the effects of the Great Depression and the rise of global political upheaval, Rolex fo