Rolex Oyster 2849

A manually-wound Oyster from the late 1930s known by the collector nickname “Lifesaver.” Its historical significance lies in its bold, avant-garde design. The watch features an exceptionally wide, stepped bezel and a small dial opening, resembling a lifebuoy. This was a deliberate stylistic choice that emphasized proportion rather than hiding the era’s smaller case sizes. The “Lifesaver” is a key example of Rolex fusing its robust waterproof technology with daring, unconventional aesthetics.