Rolex Oyster Perpetual 4937

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 4937 is a rare pre-Bubbleback automatic model dating from the late 1930s to early 1940s, notable for its pioneering place in Rolex’s history of waterproof self-winding wristwatches. Housed in a modest 30mm stainless steel or gold case, the 4937 featured Rolex’s early Oyster design, with a screw-down caseback and crown for water resistance and a domed acrylic crystal. The watch utilized the Rolex Caliber NA (often an early automatic bumper movement or transitional rotor-based caliber), offering rudimentary bi-directional winding and a power reserve of approximately 36 hours. Dial styles typically reflected the era, with small sub-seconds at 6 o’clock, applied numerals or dot markers, and radium-treated hands, often set against silver or cream-toned backgrounds. The lug-to-lug measurement is approximately 36mm, with a lug width of 16mm, resulting in a compact and refined vintage silhouette. The ref. 4937 is valued among collectors for its technical importance in the development of Rolex’s automatic movement systems and for embodying early adaptations of the Oyster case. Its rarity and association with Rolex’s formative innovations in wristwatch durability and winding efficiency make it a significant piece for vintage enthusiasts.