Rolex Oyster Perpetual 3272

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 3272 is one of the earliest automatic models introduced in the early 1930s, representing a foundational step in Rolex’s quest to integrate waterproofness with self-winding mechanics. It features a compact 30mm case crafted in either stainless steel or gold, outfitted with the essential elements of the Oyster case: a screw-down crown, screw-down caseback, and domed acrylic crystal—all geared toward increasing the watch’s durability and water resistance. The movement used in this reference was an early Perpetual automatic caliber, likely a bumper or primitive rotor-driven system, offering a power reserve of roughly 36 hours. The dial layout was typical of the era, featuring a small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock, radium-filled hands, and Arabic numerals or baton indices, often against a cream or silver-toned dial for optimal contrast. The lug-to-lug length was approximately 36mm with a lug width of 16mm, making it suitably proportioned for the period and ideal for vintage dress wear. The 3272 is historically important as one of Rolex’s initial steps into truly integrating automatic movement technology into the reliable Oyster case design. Though extremely rare today, it holds considerable value to collectors for its role in launching the era of the Oyster Perpetual, marking the earliest convergence of two of Rolex’s core innovations.