BubbleBack Full Sets...post 'em if you got 'em

[R.W.T.]

[NukeMan]

Sweet!!

[CrownMe]

Cool watch,love rose gold. Too bad it would look way to small on my fat wrist lol

[Im Lauf der Zeit]

Great set.

[Paul]

Don't see a full set bubble-back very often. Cool

[datejust24]

wow...i'm pretty sure thats the first full set BubbleBack i've ever seen. Amazing!!

[Old Expat Beast]

Outstanding. I think that's the oldest full set I have seen posted here. I didn't realise the cosc tags went back to the 1940s. What's it made from?

[CrownMe]

Justs a gorgeous set. Looks like its NOS

[Ue11]

Fantastic!

[R.W.T.]

Admittedly....The watch was worn and continually by the soldier who purchased it new. It had been well maintained throughout it's life.

It came from an estate. The band is NOS and not original to the watch. The buckle is authentic from the period and 14k rose.

The cigar band and the hang tag came with a different NOS take off band from the period from an ex dealer that came to me via my watchmaker many many years ago. I know the tag is period correct because I have my father's original from the same year and they are identical.

All of the paperwork and the receipt came to me with the watch which was on a tan canvas military strap. All numbers matching the paperwork.

[R.W.T.]

Here is my father's watch...the one that started it all...one family ownership since new...it became mine when he deceased in 2008.

He purchased it from a fellow officer who had brought 2 from Geneve back to Ankara where they were stationed. Price paid $100.00 US.



I was able to get this near NOS steel and 14k gold (most are 9) full size expanding Rolex Bracelet off of another 1949 watch that was in the extended family of my watchmaker. He was selling off their watches and he knew this was perfect for dad's watch so he sold theirs on a strap and

let me have the bracelet.

Interestingly enough...my father was instrumental in the capture of the base in Oran during WWII as a fighter pilot....that my watchmaker later was stationed at as the head communications tech in the Army.



On an NOS strap that matches the description exactly of the one he told me came originally with the watch. Second photo shows the original tang buckle to the watch in "plaque"
























The 1948 Brochure

[Old Expat Beast]

Amazing. Thanks for posting all that. Does the paperwork also show the international office and RSC addresses? I'd love to know where the Hong Kong premises was located at that time.

[R.W.T.]

I'd have to look sometime when I have that stuff out.

I don't recall but possibly. I'll check next time I'm in the papers.

[R.W.T.]

Now the interesting thing is....these watches are manufactured very close together...

But for all of you minutia date code folks...(myself leaning in that direction so no offense meant)...you will note that the first watch has a serial of 55x,xxx and a movement certificate (same movement calibre) of 2 Mai 1947. The second watch has a LOWER serial number of 507,xxx and the certificate on the movement is 22 Nov. 1948.

So dating an old Rolex is tougher than dating your best friend's girl.

[R.W.T.]

Not exactly a bubbleback but same vintage and an oyster. This is the oldest full set Oyster I have ever owned. Now belongs to a collector friend in Nippon. Of course we can see that the watch number on the certificate matches the watch number.

[R.W.T.]

Okay...last one for me. Technically a bubbleback using the A 260 calibre, purchased from the original owner with original box, guarantee card in plastic sleeve and service papers from RNY 1966.

6202 T 0 G

Top grade manufacture 24c gold plated A 260 with 7 jewels added to the automatic mechanism....strangely...NOT chronometer rated...the who, what, where and why of Rolex is never decipherable entirely. The "chronometer" on the rotor was carved away before plating. Why they would put THIS movement in a T O G is very odd...like one they manufactured that didn't pass the OCC test (movements are tested manual wind with no rotor mech) Who knows...but there it is and the movement numbers match the 66 service paperwork so it is unquestionably original to the watch.





I bought this for the movement...because it was the only time I had ever heard of one showing up in a sport watch...

[CrownMe]

Thanks for sharing. very cool to see the history of these timepieces. that turn o gragh is stunning!!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

I'd have to look sometime when I have that stuff out.

I don't recall but possibly. I'll check next time I'm in the papers.

Thanks. What a great thread!

[CaveDiver]

Sweet watch packages Tommy. What year did your father purchase his watch?

[R.W.T.]

As I recall he said he bought it in 1948. Wish I could ask...but whatever I forgot to ask him, and there is a lot...it's too late.

[sturgeon123456]

Unbelievable, wow! Thank you so much!

[Jason71]

Thank you for taking the time to post all of these. I love all of them, but especially love that TOG. I have never seen some of the vintage paperwork that you have pictured. Utterly fascinating

[nickb732]

The things that pop up here every day continue to amaze me. Thanks for the wonderful share, Tommy

[Brushpup]

All wonderful stuff here! Thanks so much for posting all this interesting information. Great pics of all this old stuff. It really is fun to see it all.

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

As I recall he said he bought it in 1948. Wish I could ask...but whatever I forgot to ask him, and there is a lot...it's too late.

Same here. So much lost.

[rolex_DateJust]

wow great thread. Amazing timepieces

[Rickster]

What a great thread. Amazing pieces!

[Scot_3]

Wow this is so fun, I love the history, and even more the design, great watches thanks for sharing