{"product_id":"1935-rolex-rarely-found-special-ref-3040-in-staybrite-steel-on-period-bonklip-bracelet-claiber-700","title":"1935 Rolex - Rarely found  special Ref 3040 in staybrite Steel on Period Bonklip Bracelet caliber 700","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"thewatch\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThis Watch\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have here an incredibly rare and historically fascinating mid-size Rolex dress and field watch, Reference 3040, dating to circa 1935. Sitting comfortably outside the traditional Oyster line, this three-piece press case design represents an exquisite bridge between the glamorous Art Deco civilian aesthetic of the 1930s and the rugged utility style that would soon dominate the wartime era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Aged characteristic silvered dial is simple and effective and has definatly had previous restoration over its 90+ years. In our opinion with this particularlly rare dress Rowlx it doesnt really matter. It features a striking mix of alternating printed Arabic numerals (12, 10, 8, 4, 2) and distinctive chevron\/triangular markers, nested perfectly inside a fine outer track. A generous sub-seconds register sits at 6 o'clock, mirroring the clean, geometric balance of the dial. Ticking above are the correct, beautifully preserved blued-steel Feuille (leaf) hour and minute hands, creating a crisp, legible, and utterly timeless contrast against the warm, naturally patinated surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 32.5mm three-piece 'Non Oyster' case is crafted from Acier Staybrite—the premium, highly corrosion-resistant steel alloy favored by luxury houses in the 1930s before the standardization of generic stainless steel. Inside the case back, the watch reveals its true collectors' credentials, featuring the iconic SAR (Société Anonyme Rolex) crown stamping alongside the prestigious \"27 Records Universels\" text. This stamp marks a tight production window between 1933 and 1937, celebrating the accuracy awards won by Rolex at the Kew-Teddington and Geneva Observatories before they crossed the threshold to 31 records later in the decade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother remarkable feature is the presence of fixed, soldered strap bars. While often associated with formal military procurement, fixed bars in the mid-1930s were an ingenious civilian feature designed to ensure a prized sports or utility watch could never accidentally spring loose from its mountings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePowering this exceptional piece is the manual-wind Rolex 10 ½''' Hunter movement (Caliber 700 series), proudly displaying the \"7009\" plate stamping on its dial side. Configured in a classic 15-jewel (\"15 Rubis\") format with a beautifully sweeping train bridge, it has been fully serviced in our on-site workshop. To complete the ultimate pre-war military\/utility look, we have paired the watch with an exceptional, original period British Bonklip stainless steel ladder bracelet, allowing it to wear beautifully on the wrist.  Happy to include a leather strap with this watch on request.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExtra Points\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"personalnote\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHans Wilsdorf founded Rolex in 1905 at the age of 24, along with Alfred Davis in London.  In 1919 they moved their operation to Geneva, Switzerland.  This move was brought about by high wartime taxes on Gold and Silver in the UK after the Great war 1914-1918.  They were now closer to their suppliers in Bienne.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWhile Rolex built an immense reputation through the screw-down, water-resistant Oyster case introduced in 1926, pieces like this Reference 3040 showcase their technical mastery in producing ultra-slim, durable utility dress watches for the civilian market. The \"Records Universels\" case back stamps serve as a literal timeline of Rolex’s early obsession with chronometric precision, tracking their journey to becoming the world's premier observatory-certified watchmaker.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis watch comes fully serviced by our on-site workshop and with our 12 months, non-waterproof service cover.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat we think\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Rolex Ref. 3040 is an absolute dream for the purist collector who values quirky , uncommon Rolex and raw historical charm. The combination of the simple monochrome design and the rich blue of the hands, and the honest, earned patina makes it a standout piece that completely commands attention. Because it features a three-piece snap case rather than a thick Oyster screw-back, it sits incredibly flush and elegant on the wrist. Combined with the historic Bonklip bracelet, it carries an unmistakable pre-WWII aesthetic that feels like a true museum capsule piece you can wear every single day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Brief History of the Bonklip Bracelet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe stainless steel ladder bracelet fitted to this watch is an iconic piece of British engineering known as the Bonklip. Invented by Walter Prest and manufactured by BH Britton \u0026amp; Sons in Birmingham, the Bonklip design was patented in the late 1920s and saw massive commercial success throughout the 1930s and 1940s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Design Genius: What made the Bonklip revolutionary was its absolute adjustability. Built with a series of rectangular steel loops (often called a \"ladder\" or \"bamboo\" style), the folding clasp could snap directly into the gap between any two links. This meant the wearer could instantly adjust the size to a fraction of a millimeter without needing tools or link removal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause of this unparalleled versatility and its secure lock, the Bonklip became closely intertwined with military history. It was famously issued by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) to RAF aircrews and navigators during WWII and into the 1950s (notably paired with the famous IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre Mark XI watches). The design allowed pilots to easily adjust the bracelet size to fit over the cuff of a heavy flight suit or directly against the bare wrist when back on the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a mid-1930s utility Rolex with fixed bars, there is simply no companion more historically authentic or functionally perfect than a British-made Bonklip bracelet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"specification\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpec Stuff\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSerial : \u003c\/strong\u003e34842\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReference :\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 3040\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovement :\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eManually Wound Rolex Cal. 10 ½''' Hunter (700 Series \/ 7009)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge :\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1931\/1940\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific Age :\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1935\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase Size :\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e32.5mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase Thickness :\u003c\/strong\u003e 11mm\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLug to Lug :\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 42mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLugs :\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 18mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCondition :\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pre-Owned\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBox \u0026amp; Papers :\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e No\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCase Material :\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Stainless Steel Staybrite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eService History :\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Rolex","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58087518437750,"sku":"AWCROL4842","price":2250.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/6187\/6838\/files\/DSC_4467.png?v=1781472370","url":"https:\/\/antiquewatchuk.co.uk\/products\/1935-rolex-rarely-found-special-ref-3040-in-staybrite-steel-on-period-bonklip-bracelet-claiber-700","provider":"Antique Watch Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}