Rolex Oyster 2784

The Rolex Oyster reference 2784 is a manual-wind timepiece from the late 1930s, with most examples dating to circa 1938 and 1939. This places the watch in the significant pre-World War II era, where Rolex was solidifying its reputation for creating durable and water-resistant watches with the patented Oyster case. The reference 2784 is a classic example of these early manual-wind Oyster models, which were foundational to the brand’s later success. Its significance lies in its demonstration of Rolex’s core technologies before the widespread adoption of the Perpetual self-winding movement. The reference 2784 was typically offered in a stainless steel “cushion” or “viceroy” style case. Variations of this reference include dials with Art Deco-style numerals, two-tone silvered dials, and dials with luminous Arabic numerals and “pencil” hands. Some examples were co-signed by retailers, such as “Bucherer’s”. The watch is often considered a “mid-size” or “boy’s size” model, which was a common size for men’s watches during that period. Due to its age and historical context, the Rolex Oyster 2784 is a sought-after model for collectors of early Rolex timepieces.