Rolex. A rare and extremely fine 9K gold wristwatch with three-tone silvered dial, original certificate and box
Lot 117 The following two lots, 117 and 118, are exceptional examples of Rolex legendary "Prince" wristwatches. Amongst the most attractive Art Deco wristwatches ever made, the Rolex Prince features a very unusual design: a rectangular case, either straight or with elegantly flared sides and a dial with hours and seconds indication of the same size. The models were available in all case materials and combinations and with a variety of dial colours and layouts.

Often called "Doctor's Watch" because of the large hour and seconds indication on the dial, allowing the easy timing of pulse and respiration, the Prince model enjoys great popularity amongst collectors.

Rolex. A rare and extremely fine 9K gold wristwatch with three-tone silvered dial, original certificate and box

SIGNED ROLEX, PRINCE, CHRONOMÈTRE, REF. 1541, CASE NO. 39626, CIRCA 1945

Closed10 November 2014

Price Realised

CHF 20,000

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Rolex. A rare and extremely fine 9K gold wristwatch with three-tone silvered dial, original certificate and box
Signed Rolex, Prince, Chronomètre, ref. 1541, case no. 39626, circa 1945
Rectangular-shaped mechanical movement, 18 jewels, silvered brushed three-tone dial, Arabic numerals, outer railway hour divisions on mirror-finished chapter ring, railway minute divisions on matte chapter ring, subsidiary dial with railway minute divisions for constant seconds, rectangular case, sloped bezel, curved snap on back, case, dial and movement signed
21 mm. wide & 40 mm. overall length

Specialist note

With Rolex The Technical Laboratories original Certificate No. 10536 dated 4 March 1938 with the watch test results and Rolex Prince presentation box.

The present timepiece can be without a doubt counted among the best preserved examples of Rolex Prince to ever appear on the market. Already highly collectible because of its rare 9K gold case, the condition of this watch is simply incredible: as if preserved in a time capsule for the past 80 years, the case finish is absolutely unspoiled, and the dial is beyond stunning. It arrives to us without a spot, wonderfully displaying the silvered brush finish, the mirror finish of the scale, and the matte finish of the minute railway divisions. Considering that over the past years hardly any Rolex Prince appeared at auction, if any, can match the condition of the present timepiece, it is very possible that no further examples so incredibly well preserved will ever appear on the market. Confirming the passion and care this watch has been regarded with by its previous owner, it is accompanied by the original certificate with technical testing of the movement from 1938.