Rolex 3348 Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback "Lifesaver"

Rolex 3348 Bubbleback, Serpico y Laino signed, pink gold and steel — Rolex 3348 Bubbleback, Serpico y Laino-signed pink gold and steel example

The 3348 is a 29mm stainless-steel Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback. Sotheby’s called its 2018 New York lot a “Lifesaver Bubbleback”; the catalogue note says the large flat bezel resembled a nautical lifebelt. That is a catalogue nickname, not a Rolex reference name. The same lot has a Mappin & Webb signature on the dial, documenting its retail channel.

Core facts

detail	value
reference	3348
family	Oyster Perpetual (Bubbleback)
common name	"Bubbleback"; Sotheby's catalogued its documented example as a "Lifesaver Bubbleback"
production	documented example dated circa 1940
case	29mm, stainless steel, flat bezel, screw-down back and crown
movement	self-winding (automatic)
dial (documented)	silvered, painted Arabic numerals and dot indexes, subsidiary seconds, outer minute divisions, signed by Rolex and further signed by retailer Mappin & Webb
documented examples	Sotheby's New York, 24 May 2018, sale N09879, lot 136, case no. 154006 (did not sell); a second, bi-metal 14k pink gold and steel example with Serpico y Laino retailer signature, cream dial

Where it sits in the line

The 3348 is an all-steel 29mm example, while the separate dealer-listed watch discussed below is bi-metal. The auction lot has a flat bezel, screw-down crown and caseback; those features distinguish the documented lot from Bubblebacks with domed or engine-turned bezels. The available records do not establish a price tier for the reference.

Production outline

The Sotheby’s example is dated circa 1940, case no. 154006, and retailed through Mappin & Webb. Sotheby’s offered it in New York on 24 May 2018 (sale N09879, lot 136) with a USD 5,000–7,000 estimate; the catalogue records no sale. Its condition report notes wear and oxidation, an associated expansion bracelet, and a movement that was running when catalogued but was not tested for accuracy or power reserve.

A separate specialist dealer listing describes a 29mm round 14k pink-gold-and-steel watch identified as ref. 3348, with a cream Arabic-numeral dial, matching bi-metal bracelet and Serpico y Laino signature. It is useful evidence that a bi-metal example exists, but a dealer listing does not establish production totals, original fitment or a complete reference variant map.

Rolex 3348 "Lifesaver Bubbleback," case no. 154006, Sotheby's New York 2018 — The Sotheby's-catalogued "Lifesaver Bubbleback," case no. 154006, retailed by Mappin & Webb (New York, 24 May 2018, sale N09879, lot 136)

Movement notes

Sotheby's lot description confirms an automatic movement; no caliber number or jewel count is specified in the catalogue text.

Dial map

The Sotheby's example carries a silvered dial with painted Arabic numerals and dot hour markers, a subsidiary seconds sub-dial, and an outer minute-division track, with dual signatures for Rolex as maker and Mappin & Webb as retailer. The second documented example carries a cream dial with painted Arabic numerals, a subsidiary seconds sub-dial with a printed 30/60 minute track, blued steel hands, and a Serpico y Laino retailer signature beneath the Rolex Oyster Perpetual signature.

Case, bezel, crystal, and crown

The Sotheby’s lot is a 29mm stainless-steel case with a flat bezel, screw-down caseback and crown. Sotheby’s calls the expansion bracelet “associated” and does not warrant the originality of component parts; it should therefore be treated as a lot accessory, not as proven original fitment.

Case-flank view of the Serpico y Laino-signed example, showing the rose gold crown and bezel edge
Screw-down caseback of the Serpico y Laino-signed example, on its bi-metal bracelet
Folded clasp on the bi-metal bracelet, stamped "Swiss Made Steelinox"

Related references

Bubbleback 3064 (same generation, bi-metal construction)
Bubbleback 3353 (same generation, steel, tonneau case)
Bubbleback 3725 (same generation, documented in multiple metal configurations)

Auction record

Sale	Lot	Case no.	Configuration	Estimate	Result
Sotheby's, New York, 24 May 2018	136	154006	Stainless steel, silvered dial, retailed by Mappin & Webb, with associated expansion bracelet	USD 5,000–7,000	Not sold

One 3348 auction record was located: Sotheby’s lot 136, which did not sell. The separate specialist listing is dealer evidence for a second watch, not a second auction result or a complete census.

Serpico y Laino-signed pink gold and steel example
Sotheby's "Lifesaver Bubbleback," case no. 154006
Case-flank view, rose gold crown and bezel edge
Screw-down caseback and bi-metal bracelet
Folded clasp stamped "Swiss Made Steelinox"

Sources