866
Rolex
Ref. 971
Prince Brancard, White gold
A rare and unusual white gold rectangular wristwatch with two-tone dial, small seconds, bracelet and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
- Stamped with Glasgow gold import hallmarks
- Matching number stamped inside case with serial
- Attractive two-tone dial with white gold case
Originally released to the market in 1928, the Rolex Prince, or "Doctor’s Watch", was an unbelievably accurate wristwatch. Often fitted with a chronometer movement, the model featured a subsidiary seconds register below the hours and minutes section of the dial, enabling a doctor to time pulses and respiration, hence its moniker. Rolex capitalized on this concept during the period, marketing the watch to professionals in the medical industry. The watch absolutely captures the zeitgeist of the 1920s, with its 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 reference 971 features an attractive two-tone silvered dial. Found on the inner caseback are stamps indicating Glasgow gold import mark with mirrored F (1906 - 1964), and the 18.75 karat combination mark. It is also notable that the R.W.C LTD logo were used for imported Rolex watch cases during mid 20s until 1936. Furthermore the present movement is stamped Extra Prima for high quality movements.
Preserved in wonderful condition retaining crisp numbers and Brevet logo on the caseback, the inner white gold case is further stamped with “17” matching its serial, as well as the 18 karat combination mark. Last appeared in the market 15 years ago, this is a wonderful Prince Brancard for collectors who appreciate early professional Rolexes.
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.