I’m not sure why so little community love for the Rolex 3525. Manufactured from 1939 to 1945, the 3525 was the first chronograph with the Rolex water-resistant ‘Oyster’ case (nicknamed the ‘Monoblocco’ as the case is made from one piece of material), and features a screw down caseback and crown. Also known as the “POW” watch for being offered to captured Allied officers in German prisoner camps during World War II, the 3525 is a classic rugged Rolex.
The Rolex 3525 utilized the caliber 13 (based on the Valjoux 23 VZ) and was produced in stainless steel, pink and yellow gold, and two-tone versions (steel plus pink or yellow gold). Dials came in several colors, there were differences in text, and we see variation in hand color, design and luminosity.
I’ll be focused here on the stainless steel version, the fiscally prudent purchase at a mere 350 Swiss Francs, a deal versus the gold version at 935 francs.
I have seen estimates as low as 200 pieces for a steel Rolex 3525, though given the number I see in the Alpha Hands case number project, I believe the actual figure is higher.