"Bubble Backs" By Masahiro Endo
This is a review of Masahiro Endo's book, "Bubble Backs," which serves as an educational resource for collectors of the original Rolex Bubbleback watches. The book focuses on details beyond reference numbers, such as movements, case designs, and dial printing, which are crucial for understanding these iconic, often underappreciated, timepieces from 1933 to the mid-1950s.
- Limited to 600 copies
- Price: ¥60,000 (approx. $375 USD) as of March 2026
The book "Bubble Backs" by Masahiro Endo is a reference for understanding Rolex Bubbleback watches, a nickname for models produced from 1933 to the mid-1950s characterized by their domed casebacks.
Unlike many vintage watches, reference numbers are less important for Bubblebacks; details like movements, case designs, and printing are more critical for identification and authenticity.
The book features approximately 20 sections detailing various dial styles, printing, and case types, with examples sourced from collectors and dealers.
Bubblebacks were sized for smaller wrists, starting around 30.5mm and reaching up to 34mm or 36mm in later years, and were nicknamed "Daruma" by Japanese collectors.
The book outlines the evolution of Rolex's automatic movements used in Bubblebacks, from an 8 ¾ ligne movement (1933-1935) to the 9 ¾ ligne "NA" caliber.
The "Bubble Back" book is written in Japanese with English translation by PaddleWaves, bound in linen, and is available directly from Private Eyes in Japan.