94th Auction

2016/11/12

Lot 403

Rolex "Prince Brancard - Observatory Quality", Case No. 13848, Ref. 1490, Cal. 945, 24 x 41 mm, circa 1930
A gentleman's rare and elegant Geneva wristwatch with enamelled scales and numerals
Case: 9K gold, push back. Dial: three-coloured silvered (partial refinished). Movm.: bridge movement, screw compensation balance.
One of the most elegant amongst the Rolex shaped watches is certainly the "Prince Brancard", reference 1490. It has a rectangular shape with flared sides and a slightly curved back, so that a better fit to the wrist is guaranteed. In addition to their shape the main difference between the Rolex Prince watches and most other watches of this time is the Prince's duo-dial design, which means the hours and minutes are at the top and the seconds are at the bottom. Because of this feature the watches were also knows as "Doctors's Watches" - the separation of hours and seconds allowed precise timing of respiration and pulse. The Rolex Prince watches were designed in 9K, 14K and 18K, white, yellow and pink gold as well as in steel, silver and platinum - combinations of these metals such as steel and gold for example were also made.

estimated
4.2006.000 €
Price realized
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