Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1938
    Reference No: 1490
    Case No: 057'947
    Model Name: Prince "Brancard"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 350, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel
    Dimensions: 42mm. Length, 23mm. Width
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex Prince, or "Doctor’s Watch", was originally released to the market in 1928. The model features a subsidiary seconds dial below the hours and minutes section of the dial, enabling a doctor to time pulses and respiration.

    Rolex capitalized on this concept during the period, marketing the watch to professionals in the medical industry. The watch has an elegant, stepped case and deco-style dial composition.

    Prince watches generally feature two different case styles: the soft, curved model with flared sides, such as the present watch, is known as the "Brancard". The sharp, angled and rectangular model, is known as the "Classic".

    This watch features an attractive black lacquer dial that remains vibrant and glossy despite its age. The dial furthermore features luminous numerals that contrast with the black background.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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220

Ref. 1490
A fine and rare stainless steel rectangular wristwatch with black lacquer dial, luminous hour markers and hands

1938
42mm. Length, 23mm. Width
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF10,000 - 15,000 
€8,600-12,900
$10,300-15,500

Sold for CHF15,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017