Rolex Bubble Back Watch Vintage 6050 — Salmon Dial (1950)
Only 1 available
Payment by bank transfer: -3%
Shipping from Europe — taxes and customs duties are the buyer's responsibility outside the EU
Lifetime authenticity guarantee
Movement checked & guaranteed for 1 year
International shipping
Photo taken on a 17.5 cm wrist
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Atelier Note
A domed caseback like a bubble, designed to house the Perpetual rotor — the line that made Rolex automatic.
The steel bubble that made Rolex automatic
This Rolex Bubble Back, reference 6050, produced in 1950, belongs to the line that brought together the house's two founding inventions: the waterproof Oyster case of 1926, and the Perpetual rotor of the early 1930s. To house this rotor, Rolex domed the backs of its cases — hence the nickname “Bubble Back”, the bubble back, which gives the piece its instantly recognizable profile and its 14mm thickness across a 32mm diameter.
The salmon-colored dial bears the double signature Rolex Oyster Perpetual, even numerals alternating with hour markers, a railway track and a sub-seconds at six o’clock encircled by its own scale. The luminous hands complete the display. The dial and hands may potentially have undergone an earlier restoration — a common practice on this line over the decades, which we describe as such.
The movement is an automatic mechanical: that is the entire purpose of this architecture. On the wrist, the rotor winds the mainspring with every movement — the innovation that, carried by this line, made automatic the standard of the house, then of watchmaking as a whole.
The polished steel case, with its original Rolex crown, is fitted with a smooth black leather strap.
Three points to note
01
The first Oyster Perpetual line — the domed back designed for the automatic rotor, the architecture that defined the modern Rolex.
02
Salmon dial with sub-seconds — a warm, graphic tone, encircled by its own scale at six o’clock.
03
32mm in diameter for 14mm of bubble — the restrained proportions of the 1940s, defined by a uniquely domed profile in the hand.
Why choose a vintage Rolex watch?
This pre-owned Rolex watch holds a precise place among vintage men's and women's watches: its 32mm size and domed profile make it a true collector's watch, suitable for daily wear by both, telling the story of the birth of the modern automatic with every glance.
Like all our pre-owned luxury watches, this one has been opened and checked by our watchmakers: verification of the movement and its consistency with the reference, examination of the dial, hands and case. Each vintage automatic watch that we offer comes with an Atelier Victor invoice serving as a certificate, a one-year warranty, and guaranteed lifetime authenticity.
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Technical specifications
- Brand: Rolex
- Model: Bubble Back
- Reference: 6050
- Serial number: 677***
- Estimated year: 1950
- Origin: Switzerland
- Gender: Men's and women's watch (Unisex)
- Movement: Mechanical automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, sub-seconds
- Case: Polished steel
- Case back: Domed steel, screwed
- Dimensions: 32mm (34mm with crown)
- Lug to lug: 38mm
- Thickness: 14mm
- Lug width: 17mm
- Crown: Steel, Rolex
- Dial: Salmon, sub-seconds, potentially restored
- Hands: With luminous material, potentially restored
- Crystal: Acrylic, condition 7/10
- Strap: Smooth black leather, not original
- Buckle: Steel, not original
Condition and warranty
- Overall condition: The polished steel case shows signs of wear consistent with the age of the piece, visible in our photographs. The salmon dial and hands may have undergone an earlier restoration. The acrylic Crystal shows signs of wear (7/10); this type of Crystal polishes easily.
- Water resistance: Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
- Authenticity: Lifetime guarantee
- Mechanical: Movement serviced in June 2025, guaranteed for 1 year
- Included: Atelier Victor invoice, protective case
- Not included: Original box and papers
Frequently asked questions
Why is this Rolex called “Bubble Back”?
Because of its domed caseback, shaped like a bubble. At the beginning of the 1930s, Rolex added the Perpetual automatic winding rotor to its waterproof Oyster case; to accommodate this thicker mechanism, the back was curved. This line thus represents the first generation of Oyster Perpetual — the architecture that still defines the house today — and its domed profile makes it instantly recognizable.
Is the salmon dial original?
Its current appearance does not allow this to be certified: an earlier restoration of the dial and hands is possible, a common practice on Bubble Back models over the decades. The case, crown, and movement, however, are consistent with the reference, and the authenticity of the piece is guaranteed for life. The whole is visible in detail in our photographs.
What does “Oyster Perpetual” mean?
These are Rolex’s two founding inventions brought together: Oyster refers to the waterproof case with a screwed caseback and crown, introduced in 1926; Perpetual refers to the self-winding rotor of the early 1930s, which winds the mainspring with each movement of the wrist. Their union, inaugurated by the Bubble Back line, laid the foundations for the house’s entire modern production.
How should this watch be cared for on a daily basis?
A soft, dry cloth is sufficient for the steel case. The acrylic Crystal marks more easily than a sapphire Crystal, but its scratches can be polished out easily by a watchmaker. As the original water resistance can no longer be guaranteed, any contact with water should be avoided. When worn regularly, the watch winds itself thanks to its rotor; after stopping, a few turns of the crown are enough to start it again.
Is this piece suitable for a slim or larger wrist?
With a 32mm diameter and 38mm Lug-to-lug, it suits wrists of approximately 15 to 18cm; its 14mm thickness, characteristic of the domed caseback, gives it a distinctive presence despite its compact format. It can be worn equally by a man or a woman. The Lug width measures 17mm — a less common width than 18mm, for which straps can nevertheless be found without difficulty.
Mechanical warranty — 1 year
Each watch is inspected by our watchmakers before shipping. In case of a mechanism malfunction during the first year, we cover the repair.
Authenticity warranty — lifetime
If a watch turns out to be non-authentic, we will take it back and refund you in full. Without time limit.
What is not covered
- Exposure to water or humidity
- Shocks, impacts, or vibrations
- Consumable parts (strap, Crystal, crown, pushers)
- Battery replacement (quartz movements)
- Opening or disassembly of the watch by a third party
- Improper use
The accuracy of vintage watches varies according to the model, movement, and year of production. A request for accuracy improvement deemed within acceptable tolerances cannot be covered by the warranty.
Shipping fees
After-sales service is free. Shipping fees outside the United Arab Emirates remain the responsibility of the customer.
Authentication Process
Each watch is examined by our partner watchmakers before being offered for sale: verification of authenticity, checking the conformity of the components, identification of any modification or replacement of original parts.
If any element has been replaced during the life of the watch (dial, hands, crown, Crystal, strap), we systematically indicate it in the product sheet. You buy knowing the exact history of your piece.
Certificate of Authenticity
Your Atelier Victor invoice serves as a certificate of authenticity: it attests to the origin and conformity of the piece, and is covered by our lifetime authenticity guarantee — if a piece sold by Atelier Victor were found to be non-authentic, it would be fully refunded, with no time limit.
International Shipping
Shipped within 48 to 72 business hours by DHL Express or an equivalent carrier depending on the destination. Delivery in 2 to 6 business days. Each shipment is insured and delivered against signature.
- Free delivery from €1,000 of purchase, as well as on the Jewelry Atelier Victor
- Tracking number sent as soon as the shipment is dispatched
- For certain destinations, delivery may be made to a secure collection point in order to guarantee the integrity of the shipment
Pickup in Dubai
Hand delivery by appointment in Downtown, Dubai. Make an appointment.
Taxes and Customs
The shipping origin is indicated on each product sheet. If the delivery country differs from the shipping country, customs duties and taxes may apply upon receipt, at the buyer's expense. In exceptional situations, customs checks may extend the delivery time, regardless of our wishes and those of the carrier.
For full details, please consult our shipping policy.
FINAL SALES
All sales are final: no return, exchange, or cancellation is accepted after order confirmation. Each piece is authenticated, inspected, and described in detail before being offered for sale.
BEFORE PURCHASE
Our advisors remain at your disposal for any questions and can send you additional photographs or videos upon simple request, by email or on WhatsApp.
NON-CONFORMING ITEM
In the exceptional case of an item that does not match its listing, please notify us within 72 hours: it will be eligible for a refund or an exchange. If the parcel shows damage upon delivery, it should be refused or its opening filmed continuously.
For full details, please consult our return policy.
A piece selected by Atelier Victor
Authenticated, inspected, and photographed by our team. As each sale is final, our team remains available 7 days a week on WhatsApp to answer your questions, share additional photos, or a video of the piece in hand — so that you can make your choice with complete peace of mind.
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