Rolex Oyster Perpetual 4242

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 4242 is a lesser-known vintage reference from the early 1940s, produced during a crucial period of Rolex’s technical innovation in automatic and waterproof wristwatch design. The 30mm case, crafted in stainless steel or gold, incorporates the foundational Oyster elements: screw-down crown, screw-down caseback, and domed acrylic crystal to ensure water resistance and dust protection. The watch was equipped with one of Rolex’s early automatic calibers—likely a bumper or early rotor type—with an estimated power reserve of 36 hours, delivering dependable timekeeping with the added benefit of self-winding convenience. Dial configurations were consistent with the period: silver or champagne tones, small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock, and applied numerals or baton markers with radium-filled pencil or leaf-style hands. It has a lug-to-lug measurement of approximately 36mm and a 16mm lug width, creating a balanced vintage profile suitable for dress wear. Although the 4242 was not produced in large volumes, it remains important for its representation of Rolex’s transition into reliable, waterproof automatic watches. Today, it is considered a niche collector’s piece, especially appealing to those interested in Rolex’s early movement evolution and understated case design.