Mechanism: The Hunter 10 1/2 Superbalance was introduced in 1935 with Swiss patent 188077. This new model replaced the earlier Hunter 10 1/2's which were graded according to their timekeeping accuracy. The new series was only manufactured at a single quality point. Superbalance movements from the perios 1935 - 1945 were occasionally made with 16, 17 and even 18 jewels. In certain cases the endstones are enhanced with screwed chatons. In very rare cases, sapphires are used in place of rubies. The appearance of the text "Patented Superbalance" on the mechanism is the best indication that you are looking at a Superbalance and not a basic Hunter 10 1/2 (which are labeled "Prima", "Extra Prima" or "Ultra Prima". However, to confuse things, the Superbalances are also labeled '10 1/2" H'.

Type: The Rolex Bubble Back or Bubbleback was first manufactured in 1933. These watches got their name due to the fact that the auto wind mechanism appeared to simply be bolted onto the basic Rolex movement. This attachment was rather large so it was necessary to round out the case back in order to accommodate the mechanism in order to allow proper functioning of the oscillating weight which made complete 360 degree rotations within the case. The Rolex Bubble Backs were produced possibly as late as the early 1960's. Many good examples exist to this day possibly due to the simple and durable basic 18 jewel design of the movement.

Most of these watches were time only and also had a sweep second hand. Later models included a date mechanism and were possibly the first DateJust models produced by Rolex such as the model 6075 which was manufactured in 1948. Some of these early Bubble Backs also had subsidiary seconds bits and many also had the popular California dials which had both Roman numerals and Arabic numerals. None of the Bubble Back cases had bezels that could be removed. Rather than the watch crystal being held in by compression using a bezel crystals were installed by the constriction method. The most common crystal used for these watches is the Tropic 30 crystal. It measures 2.6mm in height. The inside diameter is 24.6mm and the outside diameter is 25.5mm. The Bubble Back shown below has a Registered Design of 6015. Case sizes for the gents watch is 31mm, the ladies is 24mm. Lug sizes for the gents watch is 16mm and the ladies is 13mm.