Rolex Oyster Perpetual 4024

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 4024 is a rare vintage model produced in the late 1930s, during a period when Rolex was refining its automatic technology and perfecting its waterproof Oyster case design. This reference features a 30mm case made of stainless steel or gold, incorporating the screw-down crown and caseback system along with a domed acrylic crystal, in line with the principles of the Oyster case architecture. Inside the case, the watch was likely powered by an early automatic movement—either a bumper-style or primitive rotor system—offering a power reserve of approximately 36 hours. Dial designs were characteristic of the late 1930s: understated, with a small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock, Arabic numerals or applied indices, and radium-filled leaf or pencil hands. The lug-to-lug measurement is approximately 36mm, while the lug width is 16mm, reflecting the smaller wristwatch dimensions of the pre-war era. The 4024 is valued by collectors for its representation of Rolex’s early forays into combining waterproof construction with automatic movements—a formula that would come to define the brand’s success. Though scarce, it remains a sought-after reference among enthusiasts focused on historically significant and transitional Rolex models.