Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE Hong Kong Monday, November 30, 2015 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1937
    Reference No: 2771
    Case No: 29'012
    Model Name: Prince
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Mechanical Ultra Prima, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Brown crocodile leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Gilt Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 20 mm. wide
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed; case further signed by retailer
    Provenance: Property from An Important Collector
    Literature: For another example of a reference 2771 in pink gold, please see Rolex Collection Modern and Vintage Wristwatches Volume II by Osvaldo Patrizzi, page 83.

  • Provenance

    Property from An Important Collector

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex applied for the patent for the Prince movement in 1926 and it was granted in October 1927. The advantage of this rectangular movement was that you could place the winding barrel and the balance at opposite ends of the movement, therefore the winding barrel and balance could be made much larger in order to improve the accuracy. Up until this design had been patented, the mechanical movement was fitted into a circular case, with a much smaller winding barrel and balance in order to fit inside the case.

    The Prince was one of the most accurate wristwatches made up to this date. The accuracy of the watch comes from the very high quality balance wheel, which used solid gold screws to add extra weight thus giving the wheel much more momentum. The movement had very high quality finishing to the escapement, even the wheels, which ensured the accuracy of the Prince movement.

    The Prince is also nicknamed the "doctor's" watch. Many believed this was due to the use by doctors of the Prince as their wristwatches, however, Rolex publicized the Prince being suitable for medical professions and the Prince was often given to doctors by grateful patients.

    The present Prince is a fabulous example in absolutely original, crisp condition. The Rolex crown and case number are extremely crisp to the case back and can be seen easily with the naked eye. The hallmarks to the left of the crown is deep, crisp and untouched. The champagne dial is original, unrestored and finishes this doctor's wristwatch beautifully.

  • 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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Σ201

Ref. 2771
A very rare and attractive yellow gold rectangular wristwatch with champagne dial and flared sides, retailed by Bucherer's

1937
20 mm. wide
Case, dial and movement signed; case further signed by retailer

Estimate
HK$100,000 - 150,000 

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE

Hong Kong Auction 1 December 2015 11am