Rolex Oyster Perpetual 4302

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 4302 is a rare vintage model from the early 1940s that highlights Rolex’s dedication to waterproof automatic watches during a transformative era in horology. It features a 30mm case crafted in stainless steel or gold, equipped with a domed acrylic crystal and the hallmark screw-down crown and caseback, providing the robust water resistance associated with the Oyster design. Powering the watch is one of Rolex’s early automatic calibers, likely a rotor or bumper-based movement preceding the full development of the Perpetual rotor system, delivering a power reserve of around 36 hours. The dial designs were functional and era-appropriate, typically in silver or cream tones with a sub-seconds register at 6 o’clock, applied numerals or baton markers, and radium-lumed hands. With a lug-to-lug length of approximately 36mm and a 16mm lug width, the 4302 offered a refined and understated wrist presence suited to mid-20th-century tastes. Although this reference was not produced in large quantities, it remains historically significant as part of Rolex’s foundational Oyster Perpetual development, merging early self-winding innovation with the brand’s evolving waterproof case technology. Collectors value the 4302 for its rarity, clean design, and role in shaping the technical and aesthetic future of Rolex’s automatic wristwatches.