{"product_id":"1942-rolex-3134-bubbleback-oyster-perpetual-unpolished-with-rare-salmon-dial","title":"1942 Rolex 3134 Bubbleback Oyster Perpetual Unpolished with Rare Salmon Dial","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a truly exceptional and highly original \u003cstrong\u003eRolex Bubbleback Oyster Perpetual Chronometer reference 3134\u003c\/strong\u003e, dating to \u003cstrong\u003e1942\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat immediately sets this Bubbleback apart is its extraordinary \u003cstrong\u003esalmon-colored dial\u003c\/strong\u003e. The dial is completely original and untouched, with no refinishing or restoration. Its warm, naturally aged tone gives the watch an exceptional presence, but the color is only part of what makes this dial so special.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe construction of the dial is particularly sophisticated for its era. The \u003cstrong\u003eArabic numerals are raised from the dial itself\u003c\/strong\u003e, with luminous material applied on top, creating a construction reminiscent of the elaborate techniques used by Patek Philippe during the same period. This was a more complex and refined way of producing a dial, making this a particularly elegant and unusual configuration for an early Rolex Bubbleback.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe watch retains its \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal rhodium hands\u003c\/strong\u003e, including its beautiful and distinctive \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal red seconds hand\u003c\/strong\u003e. The combination of the salmon dial, raised Arabic numerals, aged luminous material, rhodium hands, and red seconds hand gives this Bubbleback an exceptional character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExceptional Original Condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case remains \u003cstrong\u003ecompletely unpolished\u003c\/strong\u003e, retaining its original proportions, thickness, and finishes. It shows honest wear accumulated over more than eight decades, but importantly, the strong original lines and substantial case have been preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe watch also retains its \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal Rolex crown\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case back shows some scratches from an attempted opening by a watchmaker in the past, likely using an improper tool rather than the correct Rolex tool. These marks are visible and should be mentioned for complete transparency, but they do not affect the integrity of the case back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOriginal Crystal Preserved\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Rolex Bubbleback still retains its \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal crystal\u003c\/strong\u003e. Naturally, it shows signs of age and wear, but it remains intact and complements the overall character of the watch beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe deliberately decided to preserve it rather than replace it. The aged crystal matches the untouched dial, original hands, and unpolished case perfectly. Replacing it would make the watch appear cleaner, but would also remove part of the character that has survived with this watch since the 1940s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRunning, but Left Untouched\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe watch has \u003cstrong\u003enot been recently serviced\u003c\/strong\u003e and is currently running approximately \u003cstrong\u003efive minutes fast per day\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe made the conscious decision not to service this Bubbleback at this time in order to preserve its exceptional originality and avoid unnecessarily disturbing the beautiful original dial and hands. Any future service should be approached with great care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe watch is fitted with a \u003cstrong\u003evintage leather strap\u003c\/strong\u003e that is correct in style and character for the period. We do not believe the strap to be Rolex issued, but it is a beautiful vintage strap that complements the watch exceptionally well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA Very Special Rolex Bubbleback\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEarly Rolex Bubblebacks are becoming increasingly difficult to find in genuinely untouched condition. This example combines several qualities that rarely survive together:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRolex Bubbleback Oyster Perpetual Chronometer ref. 3134\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1942 production\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRare and highly attractive salmon dial\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompletely original, untouched, and unrestored dial\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSophisticated raised Arabic numerals with luminous material applied on top\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal rhodium hands\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal red seconds hand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal crystal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal Rolex crown\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompletely unpolished case\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThick case retaining its original proportions and finishes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHonest signs of age consistent with more than 80 years of history\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCurrently running approximately \u003cstrong\u003e+5 minutes per day\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a Bubbleback that has been restored to look new. It is something much more interesting: a remarkably preserved survivor from 1942.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe natural patina, untouched salmon dial, original rhodium hands, red seconds hand, aged crystal, and unpolished case all work together. \u003cstrong\u003eThis is a very special Rolex Bubbleback. an honest, highly original example with an exceptionally rare and beautiful dial.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Awad Watches","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46984195768518,"sku":null,"price":23500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0757\/1908\/2182\/files\/DSC05702.jpg?v=1787878910","url":"https:\/\/awadwatches.com\/products\/1942-rolex-3134-bubbleback-oyster-perpetual-unpolished-with-rare-salmon-dial","provider":"Awad Watches","version":"1.0","type":"link"}