Here we have a pleasing original example of a seldom seen WW2 period 1941 Rolex Oyster reference 3980. It has a neat 30mm stainless steel case with the broad bezel design and classic Oyster design. The dial is a silver tone with the detailed seconds track and aged luminous arabic numerals. It has the original luminous hour and minute hands, with the thermally blued sweep central second hand. To the right it has the original ‘Rolex Oyster’ signed crown. It has the coin edge screw back with the serial number clearly engraved. It is signed with the reference 3980 inside. The movement is a manual wind Rolex calibre with a jewel count of 15 and patented super-balance. It is keeping reliable time.
 
The dial is designed with legibility and accuracy at its core. It is of a classic 1940s tool watch design with the detailed railroad track for the sweep seconds. The rack has clear 10 second Arabic markers with single second graduations and smaller 1/5th of a second markers. It has the large arabic numerals, with the aged radium luminous in-fill. It is simply signed below 12 ‘Rolex Oyster’ in a lovely font with the elongated tails to the letters. 
The hands are original and are of an uncommon style with the spade style hour hand and syringe minute hand. They are thermally blued, and both have the intact original radium luminous which has aged to a darker tone. The central second hand is also thermally blued and is a lovely thin design, with the tear drop counterbalance.
 
It is a more compact Oyster case measuring 30.5mm wide, with the crown taking this to just under 33mm wide. As with all Oyster cases the lug-to-lug measurement adds presence on the wrist, with a total length of 39.5mm. It has a 16mm lug width with allows a decent sized strap or bracelet.
The reference 3980 has an intriguing case, with a broad polished bezel design surrounding the dial. This gives the otherwise compact case more impact and really catches the eye. The classic oyster lugs taper inwards, as well as down towards the wrist. To the right is the original ‘Rolex Oyster’ signed crown which screws down. There are drilled lug holes to the left-hand side which allows easy strap change. 
The screwback has the classic coin edge finish, which is well defined. To the centre is the circular brushed finish which catches the eye. The serial number to the base is clear and well defined. Inside it is signed with the ‘Rolex S.A. 31 Victories’ script, with the ‘SAR’ logo and the reference 3980. It has a good perlage finish with a larger central swirl. 
 
The movement is a Rolex 15 jewel calibre, with the patented super balance. It is manual wind, with sweep centre second. It has a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a 40-hour power reserve. 
The service history is unknown but is in good condition and well oiled. It is keeping time to within +25 seconds a day, with a strong amplitude of 335 degrees and a beat error of 0.5m/s.
 
It is presented on a new genuine leather strap which dovetails nicely with the tone of the aged radium.
 
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial: 
The dial is original and is in decent condition for the age. It is a silver tone which has darkened slightly in areas. The signing is all good and unworn. It has the original Radium luminous in-fill on the Arabic numerals. This has aged, darkened and degraded with time. There are some light marks to the dial.
 
Hands: 
The hands are original, of an uncommon luminous spade and syringe style. The hour and minute hands are thermally blued with the radium luminous in-fill. The central second is thermally blued. The luminous is an aged tone, with the hands having discoloured naturally with age.
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is a replacement which is in good condition.
 
Crown: 
The crown is original and is in good condition with the coin edge finish. It has some light surface scratching. The ‘Rolex Oyster text is clear. It screws down but has wear meaning it catches on the last bit of thread. 
 
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel and is in decent condition for the age. It has a polished finish with light surface scratching associated with ageing. The drilled lugs are good and without wear. It has been lightly polished in the past. 
 
Caseback:
The case back is formed of steel and is in good condition for the age. It has a well-defined coin edge surround with no signs of poor opening. The serial number is good and clear. The circular brushed finish would appear to have been well re-finished in the past.
 
Strap: 
The watch comes on a new genuine leather strap. 
 
Movement: 
The movement is a Rolex 15 jewel calibre, with the patented super balance. It is manual wind, with sweep centre second. It has a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a 40-hour power reserve. 
The service history is unknown but is in good condition and well oiled. It is keeping time to within +25 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 335 degrees and a beat error of 0.5m/s.
 
Case dimensions:
Case width: 30.25mm
Case width with crown: 32.75mm 
Case length: 30.4mm 
Case length lug to lug: 39.5mm
Case Depth: 11.7mm
Lug width: 16mm