Introduced in 1933 and produced long into the early 1950s, the Rolex Bubbleback saw countless variations of itself produced in various metals, with an exhaustive array of dial configurations and a plethora of different bracelets and straps utilized over its storied past. Perhaps one of the most elusive of these combinations is the Oyster Perpetual “bombé” or “Bombay” in English, meaning “domed.” Offered with a wide variety of dials across its several references, the Oyster Perpetual Bombay is named as such due to its incredibly unique domed lugs. Unlike the majority of Rolex’s designs, the Bombay’s eponymous lugs are accentuated through sharp bevels along their hoods and gentle slopes as they wrap around the watch and sit into its mid-case. Produced from the 1940s until the 1950s, this incredibly rare variety of the Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback is an enthusiast favorite. Examples like ours here remain incredibly hard to find, thanks to the deep appreciation collectors have for these wonderfully unique timepieces. In addition to its already rare status, our example is offered with a rare diamond-set co-signed dial with it bearing the signature of Serpico Y Laino, the legendary Venezuelan watch retailer who aided Rolex's expansion into the South American continent.

I've never seen a bombe lug OP with a factory diamond dial, let alone one retailed by Serpico Y Laino. I love all the original details of this watch, down to the gold hallmarks on the exterior of the caseback, a signature of watches that were retailed by Serpico Y Laino of Venezuela.