Introduction
Introduced in 1933 and produced long into the late 1940s, the Rolex Bubbleback saw countless variations of itself produced with various metals used and paired with one another, an exhaustive array of dial configurations and bracelets and straps utilized over its storied past. Featuring some distinctive hooded case designs and constructed from everything such as stainless steel, steel and gold, rose gold, and various weights of yellow gold, the Bubbleback was even powered by both, manual wind and automatic movements in the 1930’s such was its eclectic design history. As a result, the Rolex Bubbleback watches represent a very different Rolex than the sophisticated and clean brand that they have come to be in the last decade or so. Featuring a mix of designs for their luminous indexes and hands over the years, the Bubbleback models have come to signify a select period in Rolex’s history that collectors enjoy paying homage to in their collections. With their eponymous bubbled caseback, the Bubbleback still forms the linchpin of anyone’s collection that wants to pay homage to Rolex’s once quirky design language while owning a timepiece that is seldom seen today in the modern horological landscape.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
V 8
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch Only
Est. value range
$2,000 – $4,000
The Details
Brand
Rolex
Dimensions
32mm
Model
Bubbleback
Movement
Automatic
Reference
5045
Bracelet
Stainless steel and 18kt rose gold Oyster bracelet
Year
Circa 1949
Condition
Very good
Material
Stainless steel and 18kt rose gold
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
Silver
THE DIAL
Featuring a stunning off-white dial, this example's boasts the iconic mix of pink gold mirrored arabic and stick indexes. This ref. 5045 is a true collector's piece celebrating Rolex and the watchmaking industry's usage of the rare radioactive element - a material now swapped for super bright synthetic paints.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Featuring its eponymous bubbled caseback, the ref. 5045 we have here is offered on its original two-tone 18kt pink gold and stainless steel oyster bracelet presented in wonderful condition, which pairs nicely with its engine-turned 18kt pink gold bezel.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
The watch is in overall very good condition. The steel case has been repolished in the past and has some marks and scratches, as expected of a watch of this vintage, along with some more noticeable nicks on the case edge of the bezel at nine. The pink gold reeded bezel is still mostly well defined, with some softening at the edges, particularly around six. The dial shows signs of aging across the surface, and none of the lume plots remain. The blued hands have been relumed in the past, but are clean. The steel and pink gold Oyster bracelet is in very good condition, with some wear to the links and moderate play. The bracelet currently fits a 7" wrist and has 11 links.
Our Perspective
A beautifully designed watch with its unique engine-turned bezel, bubbleback caseback, two-tone Oyster bracelet, and stunning off-white 12-3-6-9 dial, this 18kt pink gold and stainless steel Bubbleback ref. 5045 will certainly make for a unique addition to any collection.
Eric Ku
Co-founder
