Reference:5015 - Revision history

Klaudiusz: Remove standalone gallery heading and standardize breadcrumb separator

2026-09-29T04:17:10Z

Remove standalone gallery heading and standardize breadcrumb separator

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:17, 29 September 2026
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	}}		}}

	<small>[[Reference:bubbleback\|Bubbleback]] ~~->~~ '''5015'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:bubbleback\|Bubbleback]] › '''5015'''</small>

	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
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	The Antiquorum lot was unsold. The 14k gold engine-turned-bezel example appears in a dealer archive without a disclosed sale price.		The Antiquorum lot was unsold. The 14k gold engine-turned-bezel example appears in a dealer archive without a disclosed sale price.

	~~== Gallery ==~~
	<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">		<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
	File:Ref 5015 hero.webp\|Gold 5015 Bubbleback example		File:Ref 5015 hero.webp\|Gold 5015 Bubbleback example

Klaudiusz: Normalize 5015 section headings to the site convention

2026-09-28T18:30:47Z

Normalize 5015 section headings to the site convention

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:30, 28 September 2026
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	<span id="core-facts"></span>		<span id="core-facts"></span>

	== Core facts ==		==Core facts==

	{\| class="wikitable rp-facts"		{\| class="wikitable rp-facts"
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	<span id="where-it-sits-in-the-line"></span>		<span id="where-it-sits-in-the-line"></span>
	== Where it sits in the line ==		==Where it sits in the line==

	“Bubbleback” is a collector nickname, not an official Rolex designation, for early Oyster Perpetual watches with a domed caseback around the automatic rotor. General histories place the family mainly from the 1930s into the mid-1950s. That makes the 1948–1950 dates consistent with the usual chronology; the 1961 Antiquorum date falls later and remains unresolved by the sources checked here.		“Bubbleback” is a collector nickname, not an official Rolex designation, for early Oyster Perpetual watches with a domed caseback around the automatic rotor. General histories place the family mainly from the 1930s into the mid-1950s. That makes the 1948–1950 dates consistent with the usual chronology; the 1961 Antiquorum date falls later and remains unresolved by the sources checked here.
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	<span id="production-outline"></span>		<span id="production-outline"></span>
	== Production outline ==		==Production outline==

	The 14k Robert Maron listing gives circa 1948–1950, while a separate eBay listing identifies a 10k 5015 from 1948. These are dealer and marketplace records, not production documents. Antiquorum’s formal catalogue gives circa 1961 for its 18k gold-and-steel lot. The checked sources do not resolve the discrepancy.		The 14k Robert Maron listing gives circa 1948–1950, while a separate eBay listing identifies a 10k 5015 from 1948. These are dealer and marketplace records, not production documents. Antiquorum’s formal catalogue gives circa 1961 for its 18k gold-and-steel lot. The checked sources do not resolve the discrepancy.
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	<span id="dial-map"></span>		<span id="dial-map"></span>
	== Dial map ==		==Dial map==

	The 14k gold example carries a champagne dial with applied gold Arabic numerals, embossed gold dot minute and second markers, gold leaf-style hands, and a blued steel seconds hand — a dressier configuration than the plainer signed dial documented on the 18k gold and steel Antiquorum example.		The 14k gold example carries a champagne dial with applied gold Arabic numerals, embossed gold dot minute and second markers, gold leaf-style hands, and a blued steel seconds hand — a dressier configuration than the plainer signed dial documented on the 18k gold and steel Antiquorum example.
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	[[File:Ref 5015 caseback.webp\|thumb\|right\|220px\|alt=Rolex 5015 caseback, engraved Rolex coronet, Geneve Suisse, Rolex Brevete, 5015\|Caseback, case no. 647355]]		[[File:Ref 5015 caseback.webp\|thumb\|right\|220px\|alt=Rolex 5015 caseback, engraved Rolex coronet, Geneve Suisse, Rolex Brevete, 5015\|Caseback, case no. 647355]]

	== Related references ==		==Related references==

	* [[Reference:3130\|Bubbleback 3130]] (same self-winding family, solid-gold construction documented)		* [[Reference:3130\|Bubbleback 3130]] (same self-winding family, solid-gold construction documented)
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	<span id="auction-record"></span>		<span id="auction-record"></span>
	== Auction record ==		==Auction record==

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"

Klaudiusz: Audit 5015: disputed dating, source boundaries, image placement, and gallery

2026-09-28T18:30:09Z

Audit 5015: disputed dating, source boundaries, image placement, and gallery

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:30, 28 September 2026
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	</div>		</div>

	The 5015 is a self-winding Oyster Perpetual ~~Bubbleback~~ documented in ~~at least two gold configurations:~~ 14k solid yellow gold with an engine-turned bezel and a champagne dial, and 18k yellow gold ~~paired~~ with ~~stainless steel on~~ a simpler dial. ~~Dating is where the documented examples~~ disagree. ~~Two independent dealer listings place~~ the ~~reference circa~~ 1948 ~~to 1950~~. An Antiquorum ~~auction lot — the most formally catalogued example located —~~ dates its ~~watch circa~~ 1961~~, a decade or more after the Bubbleback family is generally considered to have wound down~~. ~~Both readings~~ are ~~recorded here rather than one overriding the other.~~		The 5015 is a self-winding Oyster Perpetual documented in a 14k solid-yellow-gold watch with an engine-turned bezel and champagne dial, and in an 18k yellow-gold-and-steel watch with a simpler dial. The dates disagree. Robert Maron dates the 14k example to about 1948–1950; a separate eBay listing identifies a 10k example as 1948. Antiquorum dates its 18k-and-steel lot to about 1961. These are source-specific dates, not a settled production range.

	~~A separate listing under the same "5015" name describes a hand~~-wound, 25-jewel steel watch with a black dial — mechanically incompatible with the self-winding, automatic construction that defines a genuine Bubbleback. That listing is very likely describing a different, unrelated Rolex reference mislabeled under the 5015 number, a ~~mix-up already documented elsewhere across Bubbleback-adjacent reference lists on less careful sources; it is flagged here rather than folded into the reference's real~~ production ~~story~~.

	<span id="core-facts"></span>		<span id="core-facts"></span>
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	== Where it sits in the line ==		== Where it sits in the line ==

	~~"Bubbleback"~~ is a collector nickname, ~~never~~ an official Rolex designation, for ~~the family of~~ Oyster Perpetual ~~references built around the~~ domed caseback ~~needed to clear~~ the ~~early~~ automatic ~~winding~~ rotor. ~~Most sources~~ place the ~~Bubbleback~~ family~~'s production window~~ from ~~1933 through~~ the mid-1950s~~, so a circa-1948 dating for~~ the ~~5015 sits comfortably inside that range, while a circa-1961 dating —~~ the ~~year given on~~ the Antiquorum ~~lot — would place a self-winding, movement-generation-consistent Bubbleback watch a decade past when the family is generally understood to have wound down. Rolex did keep some older case~~ and ~~movement architectures in limited late production after officially moving~~ the ~~catalogue forward, so a late-production 5015 is not impossible; it is simply not corroborated by any other documented example located~~ here.		“Bubbleback” is a collector nickname, not an official Rolex designation, for early Oyster Perpetual watches with a domed caseback around the automatic rotor. General histories place the family mainly from the 1930s into the mid-1950s. That makes the 1948–1950 dates consistent with the usual chronology; the 1961 Antiquorum date falls later and remains unresolved by the sources checked here.

	The engine-turned bezel documented on the ~~14k example is the same decorative option documented on a~~ 3725 ~~from the same generation — a genuine~~, ~~if uncommon, bezel treatment across~~ the ~~wider Bubbleback range,~~ offered ~~as an alternative to~~ the ~~plain domed bezel most examples carry~~.		The 14k example has an engine-turned bezel. A similar treatment is documented on the [[Reference:3725\|3725]], but the checked sources do not establish how often Rolex offered it across the family.

	<span id="production-outline"></span>		<span id="production-outline"></span>
	== Production outline ==		== Production outline ==

	~~Two independent listings — an~~ eBay listing ~~and a dealer catalogue entry — place~~ a ~~solid-gold~~ 5015 ~~circa~~ 1948 ~~to 1950~~. ~~The Antiquorum lot~~, ~~the only example with a full~~ formal ~~auction~~ catalogue ~~entry located here, dates~~ its 18k gold and steel ~~example to circa 1961~~. ~~No source located here resolves~~ the discrepancy~~, and both readings are presented rather than treated as settled~~.		The 14k Robert Maron listing gives circa 1948–1950, while a separate eBay listing identifies a 10k 5015 from 1948. These are dealer and marketplace records, not production documents. Antiquorum’s formal catalogue gives circa 1961 for its 18k gold-and-steel lot. The checked sources do not resolve the discrepancy.

	<span id="movement-notes"></span>		<span id="movement-notes"></span>
	== Movement notes ==		==Movement notes==

			The Antiquorum lot specifies a self-winding movement sized 9¾ lignes and identifies movement no. 81376. A separately documented 14k gold example specifies an 18-jewel automatic caliber with COSC chronometer certification. Both are self-winding, consistent with the Bubbleback family's defining mechanical feature; neither source gives a numbered caliber designation.

	[[File:Ref 5015 movement.webp\|thumb\|right\|220px\|alt=Rolex 5015 movement, self-winding rotor signed Rolex Perpetual Chronometer, movement no. 81376\|Self-winding rotor, movement no. 81376, case no. 647355]]		[[File:Ref 5015 movement.webp\|thumb\|right\|220px\|alt=Rolex 5015 movement, self-winding rotor signed Rolex Perpetual Chronometer, movement no. 81376\|Self-winding rotor, movement no. 81376, case no. 647355]]

	The Antiquorum lot specifies a self-winding movement sized 9¾ lignes. A separately documented 14k gold example specifies an 18-jewel automatic caliber with COSC chronometer certification. Both are self-winding, consistent with the Bubbleback family's defining mechanical feature; neither source gives a specific numbered caliber.

	<span id="dial-map"></span>		<span id="dial-map"></span>
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	<span id="case-bezel-crystal-and-crown-notes"></span>		<span id="case-bezel-crystal-and-crown-notes"></span>
	== Case, bezel, crystal, and crown ==		==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown==

			Two case treatments are documented: solid 14k yellow gold with an engine-turned bezel, measuring approximately 30.8mm diameter and 38.5mm lug-to-lug; and 18k yellow gold paired with stainless steel at 32mm, bezel style unspecified in the auction catalogue. The 14k example's crystal is bombé acrylic, a period-correct domed plastic crystal rather than sapphire or flat mineral glass.

	[[File:Ref 5015 caseback.webp\|thumb\|right\|220px\|alt=Rolex 5015 caseback, engraved Rolex coronet, Geneve Suisse, Rolex Brevete, 5015\|Caseback, case no. 647355]]		[[File:Ref 5015 caseback.webp\|thumb\|right\|220px\|alt=Rolex 5015 caseback, engraved Rolex coronet, Geneve Suisse, Rolex Brevete, 5015\|Caseback, case no. 647355]]

	Two case treatments are documented: solid 14k yellow gold with an engine-turned bezel, measuring approximately 30.8mm diameter and 38.5mm lug-to-lug; and 18k yellow gold paired with stainless steel at 32mm, bezel style unspecified in the auction catalogue. The 14k example's crystal is bombé acrylic, a period-correct domed plastic crystal rather than sapphire or flat mineral glass.

	== Related references ==		== Related references ==

	* [[Reference:3130\|Bubbleback 3130]] — same self-winding family, solid gold construction documented		* [[Reference:3130\|Bubbleback 3130]] (same self-winding family, solid-gold construction documented)
	* [[Reference:3725\|Bubbleback 3725]] — same era, also documented with an engine-turned bezel		* [[Reference:3725\|Bubbleback 3725]] (same era, also documented with an engine-turned bezel)

	See also the [[Reference:oyster-perpetual\|Oyster Perpetual family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].		See also the [[Reference:oyster-perpetual\|Oyster Perpetual family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].
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	\|}		\|}

	The Antiquorum lot ~~did not meet reserve~~. The 14k gold engine-turned-bezel example ~~is documented as sold through~~ a dealer ~~listing~~ without a disclosed price.		The Antiquorum lot was unsold. The 14k gold engine-turned-bezel example appears in a dealer archive without a disclosed sale price.

			== Gallery ==
			<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
			File:Ref 5015 hero.webp\|Gold 5015 Bubbleback example
			File:Ref 5015 movement.webp\|Movement no. 81376, Antiquorum lot 47
			File:Ref 5015 caseback.webp\|Caseback, case no. 647355
			</gallery>

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

Admin: Fix hero placement: move to top rp-lead block, center, 640px — matches the site-wide convention (was a small right-floated thumb before Core facts)

2026-09-18T14:44:31Z

Fix hero placement: move to top rp-lead block, center, 640px — matches the site-wide convention (was a small right-floated thumb before Core facts)

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:44, 18 September 2026
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	<small>[[Reference:bubbleback\|Bubbleback]] -> '''5015'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:bubbleback\|Bubbleback]] -> '''5015'''</small>

			<div class="rp-lead">
			[[File:Ref 5015 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 5015 Bubbleback, gold case\|Rolex 5015 Bubbleback, gold case]]
			</div>

	The 5015 is a self-winding Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback documented in at least two gold configurations: 14k solid yellow gold with an engine-turned bezel and a champagne dial, and 18k yellow gold paired with stainless steel on a simpler dial. Dating is where the documented examples disagree. Two independent dealer listings place the reference circa 1948 to 1950. An Antiquorum auction lot — the most formally catalogued example located — dates its watch circa 1961, a decade or more after the Bubbleback family is generally considered to have wound down. Both readings are recorded here rather than one overriding the other.		The 5015 is a self-winding Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback documented in at least two gold configurations: 14k solid yellow gold with an engine-turned bezel and a champagne dial, and 18k yellow gold paired with stainless steel on a simpler dial. Dating is where the documented examples disagree. Two independent dealer listings place the reference circa 1948 to 1950. An Antiquorum auction lot — the most formally catalogued example located — dates its watch circa 1961, a decade or more after the Bubbleback family is generally considered to have wound down. Both readings are recorded here rather than one overriding the other.
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	<span id="core-facts"></span>		<span id="core-facts"></span>

	~~[[File:Ref 5015 hero.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=Rolex 5015 Bubbleback, gold case\|Rolex 5015 Bubbleback, gold case]]~~

	== Core facts ==		== Core facts ==

Admin: Add sourced movement/caseback images from Antiquorum lot 47 — vintage-ref image-count fix (was hero-only)

2026-09-18T14:24:39Z

Add sourced movement/caseback images from Antiquorum lot 47 — vintage-ref image-count fix (was hero-only)

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:24, 18 September 2026
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	<span id="movement-notes"></span>		<span id="movement-notes"></span>
	== Movement notes ==		== Movement notes ==

			[[File:Ref 5015 movement.webp\|thumb\|right\|220px\|alt=Rolex 5015 movement, self-winding rotor signed Rolex Perpetual Chronometer, movement no. 81376\|Self-winding rotor, movement no. 81376, case no. 647355]]

	The Antiquorum lot specifies a self-winding movement sized 9¾ lignes. A separately documented 14k gold example specifies an 18-jewel automatic caliber with COSC chronometer certification. Both are self-winding, consistent with the Bubbleback family's defining mechanical feature; neither source gives a specific numbered caliber.		The Antiquorum lot specifies a self-winding movement sized 9¾ lignes. A separately documented 14k gold example specifies an 18-jewel automatic caliber with COSC chronometer certification. Both are self-winding, consistent with the Bubbleback family's defining mechanical feature; neither source gives a specific numbered caliber.
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	<span id="case-bezel-crystal-and-crown-notes"></span>		<span id="case-bezel-crystal-and-crown-notes"></span>
	== Case, bezel, crystal, and crown ==		== Case, bezel, crystal, and crown ==

			[[File:Ref 5015 caseback.webp\|thumb\|right\|220px\|alt=Rolex 5015 caseback, engraved Rolex coronet, Geneve Suisse, Rolex Brevete, 5015\|Caseback, case no. 647355]]

	Two case treatments are documented: solid 14k yellow gold with an engine-turned bezel, measuring approximately 30.8mm diameter and 38.5mm lug-to-lug; and 18k yellow gold paired with stainless steel at 32mm, bezel style unspecified in the auction catalogue. The 14k example's crystal is bombé acrylic, a period-correct domed plastic crystal rather than sapphire or flat mineral glass.		Two case treatments are documented: solid 14k yellow gold with an engine-turned bezel, measuring approximately 30.8mm diameter and 38.5mm lug-to-lug; and 18k yellow gold paired with stainless steel at 32mm, bezel style unspecified in the auction catalogue. The 14k example's crystal is bombé acrylic, a period-correct domed plastic crystal rather than sapphire or flat mineral glass.

Admin: Fix Category tag: Bubbleback, not Oyster Perpetual (matches breadcrumb fix from earlier)

2026-09-17T13:20:14Z

Fix Category tag: Bubbleback, not Oyster Perpetual (matches breadcrumb fix from earlier)

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:20, 17 September 2026
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	* [https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/lists/rolex-bubbleback-watches-collector-guide-1931-1950s-1235893131/ Oren Hartov, "Rolex Bubbleback Watches: A Collector's Guide, From 1931 to the 1950s", Robb Report, 2024]		* [https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/lists/rolex-bubbleback-watches-collector-guide-1931-1950s-1235893131/ Oren Hartov, "Rolex Bubbleback Watches: A Collector's Guide, From 1931 to the 1950s", Robb Report, 2024]

	[[Category:~~Oyster Perpetual~~]]		[[Category:Bubbleback]]

Admin: Fix breadcrumb: 5015 is Bubbleback, not Oyster Perpetual (registry-audit fix)

2026-09-17T03:48:20Z

Fix breadcrumb: 5015 is Bubbleback, not Oyster Perpetual (registry-audit fix)

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:48, 17 September 2026
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	}}		}}

	<small>[[Reference:~~oyster-perpetual~~\|~~Oyster Perpetual~~]] -> '''5015'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:bubbleback\|Bubbleback]] -> '''5015'''</small>

	The 5015 is a self-winding Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback documented in at least two gold configurations: 14k solid yellow gold with an engine-turned bezel and a champagne dial, and 18k yellow gold paired with stainless steel on a simpler dial. Dating is where the documented examples disagree. Two independent dealer listings place the reference circa 1948 to 1950. An Antiquorum auction lot — the most formally catalogued example located — dates its watch circa 1961, a decade or more after the Bubbleback family is generally considered to have wound down. Both readings are recorded here rather than one overriding the other.		The 5015 is a self-winding Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback documented in at least two gold configurations: 14k solid yellow gold with an engine-turned bezel and a champagne dial, and 18k yellow gold paired with stainless steel on a simpler dial. Dating is where the documented examples disagree. Two independent dealer listings place the reference circa 1948 to 1950. An Antiquorum auction lot — the most formally catalogued example located — dates its watch circa 1961, a decade or more after the Bubbleback family is generally considered to have wound down. Both readings are recorded here rather than one overriding the other.

Admin: site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

2026-09-05T01:21:37Z

site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:21, 5 September 2026
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	== Core facts ==		== Core facts ==

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable rp-facts"
	\|-		\|-
	! detail		! detail

Admin: site-wide: domain move BezelBase → Rolexopedia (rolexopedia.net)

2026-09-05T00:37:44Z

site-wide: domain move BezelBase → Rolexopedia (rolexopedia.net)

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:37, 5 September 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 5015 Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 5015 Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex 5015 Bubbleback — Gold Bubbleback, Engine-Turned Bezel \| ~~BezelBase~~		\|title=Rolex 5015 Bubbleback — Gold Bubbleback, Engine-Turned Bezel \| Rolexopedia
	\|description=The Rolex 5015 is a self-winding Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback documented in 14k solid gold and 18k gold-and-steel construction, with an engine-turned bezel on at least one example. Dating is disputed — most sources place it circa 1948–1950, one auction lot circa 1961.		\|description=The Rolex 5015 is a self-winding Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback documented in 14k solid gold and 18k gold-and-steel construction, with an engine-turned bezel on at least one example. Dating is disputed — most sources place it circa 1948–1950, one auction lot circa 1961.
	\|keywords=Rolex, 5015, Bubbleback, Oyster Perpetual, vintage Rolex, chronometer		\|keywords=Rolex, 5015, Bubbleback, Oyster Perpetual, vintage Rolex, chronometer

Admin: New article: Bubbleback 5015, gold Bubbleback with contested dating

2026-08-16T00:34:05Z

New article: Bubbleback 5015, gold Bubbleback with contested dating

New page

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 5015 Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback}}
{{#seo:
|title=Rolex 5015 Bubbleback — Gold Bubbleback, Engine-Turned Bezel | BezelBase
|description=The Rolex 5015 is a self-winding Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback documented in 14k solid gold and 18k gold-and-steel construction, with an engine-turned bezel on at least one example. Dating is disputed — most sources place it circa 1948–1950, one auction lot circa 1961.
|keywords=Rolex, 5015, Bubbleback, Oyster Perpetual, vintage Rolex, chronometer
|image=Ref 5015 hero.webp
|image_alt=Rolex 5015 Bubbleback, gold case
|type=Article
|og_type=article
|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
}}

[[Reference:oyster-perpetual|Oyster Perpetual]] -> '''5015'''

The 5015 is a self-winding Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback documented in at least two gold configurations: 14k solid yellow gold with an engine-turned bezel and a champagne dial, and 18k yellow gold paired with stainless steel on a simpler dial. Dating is where the documented examples disagree. Two independent dealer listings place the reference circa 1948 to 1950. An Antiquorum auction lot — the most formally catalogued example located — dates its watch circa 1961, a decade or more after the Bubbleback family is generally considered to have wound down. Both readings are recorded here rather than one overriding the other.

A separate listing under the same "5015" name describes a hand-wound, 25-jewel steel watch with a black dial — mechanically incompatible with the self-winding, automatic construction that defines a genuine Bubbleback. That listing is very likely describing a different, unrelated Rolex reference mislabeled under the 5015 number, a mix-up already documented elsewhere across Bubbleback-adjacent reference lists on less careful sources; it is flagged here rather than folded into the reference's real production story.



[[File:Ref 5015 hero.webp|thumb|right|250px|alt=Rolex 5015 Bubbleback, gold case|Rolex 5015 Bubbleback, gold case]]

== Core facts ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! detail
! value
|-
| reference
| 5015
|-
| family
| Oyster Perpetual (Bubbleback)
|-
| common name
| "Bubbleback"
|-
| production
| disputed — two dealer sources give circa 1948–1950; one Antiquorum auction lot gives circa 1961
|-
| case
| documented in 14k solid yellow gold (engine-turned bezel, ~30.8mm) and 18k yellow gold with stainless steel (32mm)
|-
| movement
| self-winding; one example specifies caliber sized 9¾ lignes, another an 18-jewel COSC-certified automatic caliber
|-
| dial (documented)
| champagne with applied gold Arabic numerals, gold leaf hands, blued seconds hand (14k example); unspecified signed dial (18k/steel example)
|-
| documented examples
| Antiquorum lot 47 (case no. 647355, movement no. 81376, 18k gold and steel, unsold/passed); a 14k solid gold example with engine-turned bezel, sold "mint+"
|}


== Where it sits in the line ==

"Bubbleback" is a collector nickname, never an official Rolex designation, for the family of Oyster Perpetual references built around the domed caseback needed to clear the early automatic winding rotor. Most sources place the Bubbleback family's production window from 1933 through the mid-1950s, so a circa-1948 dating for the 5015 sits comfortably inside that range, while a circa-1961 dating — the year given on the Antiquorum lot — would place a self-winding, movement-generation-consistent Bubbleback watch a decade past when the family is generally understood to have wound down. Rolex did keep some older case and movement architectures in limited late production after officially moving the catalogue forward, so a late-production 5015 is not impossible; it is simply not corroborated by any other documented example located here.

The engine-turned bezel documented on the 14k example is the same decorative option documented on a 3725 from the same generation — a genuine, if uncommon, bezel treatment across the wider Bubbleback range, offered as an alternative to the plain domed bezel most examples carry.


== Production outline ==

Two independent listings — an eBay listing and a dealer catalogue entry — place a solid-gold 5015 circa 1948 to 1950. The Antiquorum lot, the only example with a full formal auction catalogue entry located here, dates its 18k gold and steel example to circa 1961. No source located here resolves the discrepancy, and both readings are presented rather than treated as settled.


== Movement notes ==

The Antiquorum lot specifies a self-winding movement sized 9¾ lignes. A separately documented 14k gold example specifies an 18-jewel automatic caliber with COSC chronometer certification. Both are self-winding, consistent with the Bubbleback family's defining mechanical feature; neither source gives a specific numbered caliber.


== Dial map ==

The 14k gold example carries a champagne dial with applied gold Arabic numerals, embossed gold dot minute and second markers, gold leaf-style hands, and a blued steel seconds hand — a dressier configuration than the plainer signed dial documented on the 18k gold and steel Antiquorum example.


== Case, bezel, crystal, and crown ==

Two case treatments are documented: solid 14k yellow gold with an engine-turned bezel, measuring approximately 30.8mm diameter and 38.5mm lug-to-lug; and 18k yellow gold paired with stainless steel at 32mm, bezel style unspecified in the auction catalogue. The 14k example's crystal is bombé acrylic, a period-correct domed plastic crystal rather than sapphire or flat mineral glass.

== Related references ==

* [[Reference:3130|Bubbleback 3130]] — same self-winding family, solid gold construction documented
* [[Reference:3725|Bubbleback 3725]] — same era, also documented with an engine-turned bezel

See also the [[Reference:oyster-perpetual|Oyster Perpetual family index]], [[Reference:Movements|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers|serial numbers by year]].


== Auction record ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sale !! Lot !! Case no. !! Configuration !! Estimate !! Result
|-
| Antiquorum, Hong Kong, 31 May 2026 || 47 || 647355 || 18k yellow gold and stainless steel, self-winding, circa 1961 (per lot catalogue) || HKD 30,000–60,000 || Unsold
|}

The Antiquorum lot did not meet reserve. The 14k gold engine-turned-bezel example is documented as sold through a dealer listing without a disclosed price.

== Sources ==

* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-5015-bubbleback-lot-387-47 "Rolex, Ref. 5015, Bubbleback, 18K Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel", lot 47, Hong Kong, Antiquorum, 2026]
* [https://robertmaron.com/product.php?productid=18873 "Rolex 5015 Oyster Perpetual Bubble Back 14K", Robert Maron Watches]
* [https://www.ebay.com/itm/257610911244 "Rare Solid 10K Rolex 5015 Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback from 1948", eBay listing]
* [https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-rolex-bubbleback-and-why-it-still-matters Anthony Traina, "The Rolex Bubbleback And Why It Still Matters", Hodinkee, 2024]
* [https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/lists/rolex-bubbleback-watches-collector-guide-1931-1950s-1235893131/ Oren Hartov, "Rolex Bubbleback Watches: A Collector's Guide, From 1931 to the 1950s", Robb Report, 2024]

[[Category:Oyster Perpetual]]