Rolex Oyster Perpetual 5065

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 5065 is a rare and early Bubbleback model from the 1940s, significant for its role in establishing Rolex’s automatic watch lineage. This reference features a compact 32mm case in stainless steel or gold, characterized by its pronounced rounded screw-down caseback—hence the nickname ‘Bubbleback.’ It is powered by the Rolex Caliber 630, an early automatic movement employing Rolex’s Perpetual rotor system, offering a bi-directional winding mechanism and roughly 36–40 hours of power reserve. Dial configurations were often minimal, with silver or cream tones, applied Arabic numerals or indices, and leaf or cathedral-style hands with radium lume. The lug-to-lug measurement is approximately 39mm, with a lug width of 17mm, yielding a compact and vintage-correct wrist profile. As one of the early references to adopt the full waterproof Oyster case with automatic winding, the 5065 played a pivotal role in Rolex’s rise to mechanical dominance during the mid-20th century. Today, it is sought after by collectors for its historical importance and unique design traits that distinguish it from later, more refined Oyster Perpetual models.