Rolex 14kt Yellow Gold Bubbleback Ref. 5015

This is an exceptional Rolex 14kt yellow gold Bubbleback reference 5015 circa 1948.  The bubbleback is known as the first automatic watch Rolex made.  The example we have here is exceptional.  The solid yellow gold case is crisp with a wonderful engine turn bezel.  Behind  one of the lug's is stamped CB which stands for  Carlier-Bossard who was a case manufacturer for Rolex back in the day. Carlier-Bossard was a renowned Swiss case maker based in Les Brenets (Neuchâtel region), specializing in high-precision gold and precious metal cases for luxury watches. They operated from the early 1900s until the 1980s, supplying cases to Rolex, Omega, and others.  The dial on this watch is just as nice as the case.  It is a matte white dial with applied yellow gold all Arabic numerals.  The blue steel seconds hand stands out against the dial.