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Import reference 3540 article

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 3540 Precision}}
{{#seo:
|title=Rolex 3540 Precision: dated examples, dials and movement reports | Rolexopedia
|description=Collector file on Rolex Precision ref. 3540, with catalogued steel and gold examples, dial variations, individual dates and unresolved caliber attribution.
|keywords=Rolex 3540, Precision, Moneta, vintage Rolex, manual wind
|image=Ref_3540_hero.webp
|image_alt=Rolex Precision 3540 in 18K pink gold with pink dial, case 58,753
|type=Article
|og_type=article
|published_time=2026-10-14T00:00:00Z
|modified_time=2026-10-14T00:00:00Z
|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
}}

<small>[[Reference:precision|Precision]] → '''3540'''</small>

<div class="rp-lead">
[[File:Ref_3540_hero.webp|thumb|center|640px|alt=Rolex Precision 3540 in 18K pink gold with pink dial|18K pink-gold ref. 3540, case 58,753; Sotheby's, lot 391 (2024)]]
</div>

Ref. 3540 is a manual-wind Rolex Precision documented in steel and gold cases. Auction catalogues and dealer records date individual examples from circa 1930 to 1954 and show several dial layouts, with both subsidiary and centre seconds. The records do not define production limits or identify one caliber for the reference.

==Core facts==

{| class="wikitable rp-facts"
|-
! detail
! value
|-
| reference
| 3540
|-
| family
| Precision
|-
| dated examples
| around 1930 to around 1954; individual auction-catalogue and dealer dates, not production limits
|-
| movement
| manual wind; no numeric caliber confirmed across the reviewed examples
|-
| reported jewel counts
| 15, 17 and 18, tied to individual watches
|-
| case materials
| stainless steel, 18K gold and 18K pink gold documented
|-
| reported case diameter
| 33–35 mm in individual catalogues
|-
| caseback
| snap-on backs reported on the cited examples
|-
| seconds display
| subsidiary and centre-seconds examples documented
|}

==Where it sits in the line==

Auction catalogues identify ref. 3540 as a Precision. Bernardini Milano calls one example “Moneta”; a 2023 collector post uses the same nickname. This is dealer and collector usage, with no evidence in the reviewed sources that Rolex used it as a model name.

==Production outline==

Catalogues date individual examples to circa 1930, circa 1938, circa 1940, circa 1946 and circa 1950. Bernardini Milano dates one example to 1954. The steel watch with case 041775 has conflicting dates: Bonhams/EveryWatch gives circa 1930, while Vintage-Oyster gives circa 1936. These are estimates for individual watches, not a continuous production record or firm endpoints.

==Movement notes==

The catalogues describe manual movements and report 15, 17 or 18 jewels on individual watches. No numeric caliber appears in the reviewed records. Gardiner Houlgate's movement photograph shows Rolex and “17 Rubis”; its catalogue calls that watch Patented Super Balance. Neither the jewel count nor that wording identifies a caliber.

==Dial map==

The documented examples include a pink dial, a white dial with applied Arabic numerals, silvered dials with batons and Arabic quarters, and a silver dial with applied Roman numerals. Bernardini Milano shows a two-tone silver and black dial with Arabic numerals on its 35 mm steel example. These are observed examples, not a complete factory dial list.

[[File:Ref_3540_case-detail.webp|thumb|right|220px|alt=Steel Rolex Precision 3540 with silvered dial|Steel ref. 3540 listed by Analog:Shift, item AS04061]]

Heritage's circa-1950 example has a black dial with four diamonds and gold indexes. Its condition report says the dial was refinished and the diamonds were added, so it is not evidence of a factory black diamond dial.

==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes==

The catalogues describe round cases measuring 33–35 mm and snap-on backs. Examples are listed in stainless steel, 18K gold and 18K pink gold. The reviewed catalogues give no consistent bezel, crystal or crown specification. Sotheby's photographs of its 1938 pink-gold watch show the case profile and a back stamped 3540 and 58,753.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
Ref_3540_case-side.webp|Case profile of the 18K pink-gold example, case 58,753; Sotheby's, lot 391 (2024)
Ref_3540_caseback.webp|Caseback stamped 3540 and 58,753; same Sotheby's example
</gallery>

==Bracelets, end links, clasps, and packaging notes==

No bracelet or end-link fitment is documented for the reference in the records reviewed. Webb's identifies the strap on its circa-1946 watch as a later addition; the other listings do not settle original delivery or period-correct options.

==Special branches==

Vintage-Oyster calls the hands on case 041775 “Pontife.” That is the seller's label for this example; it is not established as a named 3540 hand variant.

==Historical market and auction record==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! source
! date given
! example details
|-
| Bonhams, via EveryWatch; case 041775
| circa 1930; Vintage-Oyster says circa 1936
| 34 mm steel case; silver dial; manual movement
|-
| Sotheby's, lot 391; case 58,753
| circa 1938
| 34 mm 18K pink gold; pink dial; 18-jewel manual movement
|-
| Christie's, lot 1817408
| circa 1940
| 33 mm steel; silvered baton and Arabic-quarter dial; 17-jewel movement
|-
| Heritage, lot 54445; case 414,638
| circa 1946
| 34 mm steel; silver Roman-numeral dial; 15-jewel movement
|-
| Sotheby's, lot 165
| circa 1950
| 33 mm 18K gold; applied Arabic dial; centre seconds; 18-jewel movement
|-
| Heritage, lot 12019
| circa 1950
| 33.5 mm 18K gold; altered black diamond dial; 17-jewel movement
|-
| Bernardini Milano
| 1954
| 35 mm steel; two-tone dial; subsidiary seconds
|}

The case 041775 record appears in the Bonhams/EveryWatch entry and Vintage-Oyster's dealer archive listing. Those refer to the same watch and count as one example.

==Gallery==

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
Ref_3540_hero.webp|18K pink-gold ref. 3540, case 58,753; Sotheby's, lot 391 (2024)
Ref_3540_case-side.webp|Side view of case 58,753; Sotheby's
Ref_3540_caseback.webp|Caseback stamped 3540 and 58,753; Sotheby's
Ref_3540_case-detail.webp|Steel ref. 3540, item AS04061; Analog:Shift
</gallery>

== Sources ==

* [https://everywatch.com/rolex/3540/watch-12628418 "EveryWatch, Bonhams, Rolex Precision ref. 3540, case 041775", EveryWatch / Bonhams]
* [https://www.vintage-oyster.com/p/1930s-rolex-pontife-hands-chronometre-ref-3540-serviced "Vintage-Oyster, 1930s Rolex ref. 3540 with “Pontife” hands, case 041775", Vintage-Oyster]
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/important-watches-part-ii/reference-3540-a-pink-gold-wristwatch-circa-1938 "Sotheby's, Important Watches Part II, 15 May 2024, lot 391 — Rolex ref. 3540", Sotheby's, 2024-05-15]
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2012/important-watches-n08848/lot.165.html "Sotheby's, Important Watches & Clocks, 12 June 2012, lot 165 — Rolex ref. 3540", Sotheby's, 2012-06-12]
* [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-a-stainless-steel-wristwatchmodel-precision-1817408/ "Christie's, Rolex Precision ref. 3540, lot 1817408", Christie's]
* [https://jewelry.ha.com/itm/timepieces/wristwatch/rolex-precision-ref-3540-circa-1946/a/5363-54445.s "Heritage Auctions, May 2018 Watches & Fine Timepieces, lot 54445 — Rolex Precision ref. 3540", Heritage Auctions, 2018-05-01]
* [https://jewelry.ha.com/itm/timepieces/wristwatch/rolex-ref-3540-vintage-18k-gold-wristwatch-circa-1950/a/21165-12019.s "Heritage Auctions, March 27, 2024, lot 12019 — Rolex ref. 3540, black dial", Heritage Auctions, 2024-03-27]
* [https://auctions.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk/catalogue/lot/b6453de15b6ca1c242fe911adebaea33/63b778f7668dabe928d3800924a99077/the-watch-auction-lot-47/ "Gardiner Houlgate, The Watch Auction, 24 May 2023, lot 47 — Rolex Precision ref. 3540", Gardiner Houlgate, 2023-05-24]
* [https://auctions.webbs.co.nz/lot-details/index/catalog/906/lot/338237/Stainless-Steel-Rolex-Precision-ref-3540-Manual-Wind-Wristwatch-circa-1946?url=%2Fauctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F906%3Fcat%3D103 "Webb's, Important Jewels, Watches & Luxury Accessories Online Auction, March 2026, lot 126 — Rolex ref. 3540", Webb's, 2026-03-15]
* [https://www.analogshift.com/products/rolex-precision-as04061 "Analog:Shift, Rolex Precision ref. 3540, item AS04061", Analog:Shift]
* [https://www.bernardinimilano.com/products/rolex-moneta-ref-3540 "Bernardini Milano, Rolex ref. 3540 stainless-steel manual watch", Bernardini Milano]
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/rolex/comments/17bic20 community post, "Reddit r/rolex, “Cool Rolex of the Day #2286: 3540 ‘Moneta’,” 19 October 2023", Reddit / r/rolex, 2023-10-19]
* [https://ameblo.jp/t-watch-blog/entry-12861573916.html "dtk 時計修理, Rolex reference and case-number list, ref. 3540 entry", dtk 時計修理]

[[Category:Precision]]

Reference:3540 - Revision history

Admin: Import reference 3540 article