Rolex Oyster Perpetual 3495

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 3495 is a rare and early automatic model produced in the early 1930s, marking a formative stage in Rolex’s pursuit of combining waterproof cases with self-winding movements. This reference features a 30mm case, crafted from stainless steel or gold, utilizing Rolex’s pioneering Oyster case construction—complete with a screw-down crown, screw-down caseback, and domed acrylic crystal to enhance water resistance. The movement inside was one of Rolex’s primitive automatic calibers, likely a bumper-style or early rotor-driven system, delivering approximately 36 hours of power reserve and underscoring the brand’s mechanical innovation of the era. Dials typically included a small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock, with Art Deco-style hour markers or Arabic numerals and radium-filled hands, often presented on silver or ivory-toned backgrounds. The watch measured approximately 36mm lug-to-lug with a 16mm lug width, reflecting the understated proportions of the pre-WWII period. The 3495 holds an important place in the Rolex archives as a representative of the brand’s early adaptation of automatic movements within a robust, waterproof case. Its scarcity and technical relevance make it a desirable acquisition for vintage collectors seeking pieces from the dawn of Rolex’s Perpetual evolution.