Rolex - The New York Watch Auction: NINE New York Saturday, December 9, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1933
    Reference No: 1490
    Movement No: 80’199
    Case No: 13’009
    Model Name: Prince “Brancard”
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 350, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 23mm width x 42mm length
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex Prince, or "Doctor’s Watch," was originally released to the market in 1928. The model features an oversized subsidiary seconds dial below the hours and minutes section of the dial, enabling a doctor to time the respiration and pulse rate of their patients. The flared and elongated case sides of certain Prince references led to another nickname, “Brancard,” for the French word for stretcher. Marketing of the era called it “the watch for men of distinction,” and touted its observatory-grade precision, as well as its curved, ergonomic case.

    On the inside caseback, a new dimension of this watch’s story is revealed. The British sponsor’s mark “R.W.C. Ltd.” can be seen stamped within, as well as the Glasgow Assay Office hallmark and the date letter “k” for 1933. Thus, one can surmise that the present watch was imported to London and then onward to Scotland, where it was likely sold.

  • 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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Σ92

Lot offered with No Reserve

Ref. 1490
An interesting and sculptural yellow gold wristwatch with flared rectangular case and black dial

Circa 1933
23mm width x 42mm length
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$3,000 - 6,000 
CHF2,700-5,400
€2,800-5,600
HK$23,400-46,900
S$4,100-8,200

Sold for $17,780

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: NINE

New York Auction 9 - 10 December 2023