Rolex Oyster Perpetual 3536

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 3536 is a vintage model from the mid-1930s, representing one of Rolex’s earliest executions of the Perpetual rotor movement within a waterproof Oyster case. With a 30mm stainless steel or gold case, the 3536 employed Rolex’s innovative screw-down crown and caseback system, alongside a domed acrylic crystal, to provide solid water resistance—a hallmark of the Oyster series. Internally, it likely used one of Rolex’s initial automatic calibers, such as a bumper or primitive rotor-type movement, with an estimated power reserve around 36 hours. The dials were understated, usually featuring a small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock, radium-painted numerals or baton markers, and leaf-style hands, framed by a silver or ivory dial backdrop. Its lug-to-lug distance is approximately 36mm, with a lug width of 16mm, keeping in line with the conservative sizing norms of pre-WWII wristwatches. The 3536 stands out as a crucial step in the brand’s progression toward the modern Oyster Perpetual formula, contributing to the technological and design legacy that would shape Rolex for decades. It remains an elusive yet historically rich piece for collectors seeking examples from Rolex’s formative automatic period.