Rare to find Vintage Rolex 40's SS original Bubble Back Bamboo bracelet type 15mm GAY FRERES GF/logo Bonklip type military

DESCRIPTION :

The clasp, which is working well, is stamped “Steelinox”; “Fabrique en Suisse” (Gay Frères is based in Geneva); and has the letters “G” and “F” stamped either side of the company’s trade mark.  

Like a “Bonklip”, the strap can be adjusted to any length, from very small up to a maximum of 9½ inches (24 cms) plus the width of the watch. 

 The reason that the bracelet is so much greater in diameter than even the biggest male wrist is so that, like a “Bonklip”, the watch can be around a jacket sleeve if necessary e.g. in a military setting.

These bracelets, often called “bamboo” bracelets, are similar to the Bonklip watch bracelet that was fitted to many good quality military watches in the middle years of the last century.

  The great thing about these particular Gay Frères straps however, is that they were fitted as standard to many Rolex models in the 1920s and 1930s, including the Rolex Oyster, the Rolex Perpetual and the Rolex Imperial. 

They are now quite uncommon to find.

Later, in 1940, Gay Frères developed  the "rice bead" watch bracelet design specifically for Rolex, when Rolex wanted a distinctively new look for its watches.  

In 2001, Rolex bought the Gay Frères company and now makes its own bracelets.

This example is in nice shape, straight, clean condition. 

 It is probably as good an original example as you will find. 

 It has 15mm endlinks and links themselves are only slighly narrower.  

The bracelet ends can be prised open to allow the strap to be fitted to a watch with fixed lugs if necessary.

GUARANTEED 1OO% GENUINE ROLEX