Rolex Oyster Perpetual 3130

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual reference 3130 is a vintage “Bubbleback” model from the 1940s, with examples appearing from around 1941 to 1946. This reference is historically significant as it is a quintessential example of Rolex’s early self-winding and waterproof timepieces that established the brand’s reputation for innovation and durability. The characteristic “Bubbleback” case, with its pronounced convex case back, was a functional design to house the thicker automatic winding rotor of the Perpetual movement. The reference 3130 was produced in several variations. While commonly found in stainless steel, two-tone versions combining stainless steel and pink or rose gold are also notable. The dials were often silvered and featured a combination of Arabic and baton hour markers. Many examples also carried the “Chronometer” designation on the dial, indicating that the movement had passed rigorous accuracy tests. The combination of its historical importance as a pioneering automatic watch and the variety of its executions makes the 3130 a classic and collectible vintage Rolex.