Introduction
Introduced in 1933 and produced long into the early 1950s, the Rolex Bubbleback saw countless variations of itself produced with various metals used and paired with one another, an exhaustive array of dial configurations and bracelets and straps utilized over its storied past. Featuring some distinctive hooded case designs and constructed from everything such as stainless steel, steel and gold, rose gold, and various weights of yellow gold, the Bubbleback was even powered by both, manual wind and automatic movements in the 1930’s such was its eclectic design history. As a result, the Rolex Bubbleback watches represent a very different Rolex than the sophisticated and clean brand that they have come to be in the last decade or so. Featuring a mix of designs for their luminous indexes and hands over the years, the Bubbleback models have come to signify a select period in Rolex’s history that collectors enjoy paying homage to in their collections. With their eponymous bubbled caseback, the Bubbleback still forms the linchpin of anyone’s collection that wants to pay homage to Rolex’s once quirky design language while owning a timepiece that is seldom seen today in the modern horological landscape.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
V 8
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch Only
Est. value range
$1,500 – $2,500
The Details
Brand
Rolex
Dimensions
32mm
Model
Bubbleback
Movement
Automatic
Reference
2940
Bracelet
Leather strap
Year
1945
Condition
Very Good
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
Black Refinished California Style Dial
THE DIAL
Boasting a professionally refinished dial, this example's black California dial features Arabic numerals on its lower half, Roman numerals in its upper half, and stick indices at its quarters with the exception of a triangle at 12 o'clock, creating a wonderfully unique combination of hour markers.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Featuring its eponymous bubbled caseback, the ref. 2940 we have here is full of character thanks to its svelte 32mm case diameter and humped caseback that was used to accommodate its automatic movement. Additionally, this example's caseback is engraved to celebrate its original owner's triumph in the 1945 50-meter freestyle swim.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in very good overall condition. Case shows moderate surface wear, with soft edges and some pitting visible between the lugs. The caseback has an engraving on it, and the original Rolex engravings and serial number are still visible. The watch has a refinished non-original dial made in the style of a black error-proof or "California" dial.
Our Perspective
With its unique California dial and the provenance of its original owner engraved on its caseback, this ref. 2940 paints a picture of its history that we seldom get to see with 80-year-old watches.
Eric Ku
Co-founder
