17
Rolex
Ref. 1490
Prince "Brancard"
An incredibly well preserved stainless steel rectangular wristwatch
- Estimate
- CHF30,000 - 60,000€27,600 - 55,300$30,200 - 60,400
CHF62,500
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1930
- Reference No
- 1490
- Movement No
- 72'486
- Case No
- 011'651
- Model Name
- Prince "Brancard"
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, cal.350, 15 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 42mm Length, 23mm Width
- Signed
- Case, dial and movement signed, dial further signed Beyer
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The present Rolex Prince “Brancard” has a very interesting history. Produced in the late 1920s the watch was delivered to Chronométrie Beyer in Zurich. For an unknown reason, the watch was never sold and was packed in a box left in the storage space of the jeweler. Some 70 years later, in 1998, it was discovered when the family owned business went under some construction work. Just like a pirate treasure, the box unveiled forgotten watches amongst which was this superb Rolex Prince.
Introduced in 1928, the stylish Art Deco Rolex Prince was advertised as "The Watch for Men of Distinction". The model became known as the doctor’s watch due to the large subsidiary seconds dial, which was ideal for measuring a patient’s pulse rate. The present lot from the 1490 series is distinguished by the flared sides and called "Brancard" (stretcher in French).
The rarity and beauty of this piece, combined with its pristine condition, make this reference 1490 a must have for the savvy collector.
Introduced in 1928, the stylish Art Deco Rolex Prince was advertised as "The Watch for Men of Distinction". The model became known as the doctor’s watch due to the large subsidiary seconds dial, which was ideal for measuring a patient’s pulse rate. The present lot from the 1490 series is distinguished by the flared sides and called "Brancard" (stretcher in French).
The rarity and beauty of this piece, combined with its pristine condition, make this reference 1490 a must have for the savvy collector.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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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