Rolex Oyster Perpetual 3869

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 3869 is a seldom-seen vintage timepiece from the early 1940s, embodying the foundational characteristics of Rolex’s automatic waterproof designs. The 30mm case, produced in stainless steel or gold, includes the essential elements of the Oyster architecture: a screw-down crown, screw-down caseback, and a domed acrylic crystal for improved durability and moisture resistance. This reference was likely fitted with an early rotor or bumper-style Rolex automatic movement, offering an estimated 36-hour power reserve and establishing the groundwork for later Perpetual calibers. The dial design follows the minimalist yet functional aesthetic of the period—typically with silver or cream backgrounds, a small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock, and radium-treated hands and numerals or indices. With a 36mm lug-to-lug measurement and a 16mm lug width, the 3869 maintains a modest but elegant presence on the wrist, in line with mid-20th-century sizing trends. Though the 3869 did not achieve the fame of later references, its contribution to Rolex’s evolving Oyster Perpetual family is notable. Collectors value this reference for its rarity, historical significance, and the purity of design found in Rolex’s early self-winding offerings.