Rolex
Reference 1490 'Prince' | A stainless steel rectangular wristwatch, Circa 1931
No reserve
Lot Closed
June 17, 06:50 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 12,000 USD
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Read more.Lot Details
Description
Dial: champagne
Caliber: mechanical, 18 jewels
Movement number: 1'014
Case: stainless steel, snap-on case back
Case number: 026'415
Closure: stainless steel generic buckle
Size: 24.5 x 42 mm (width x length including lugs)
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: none
The Rolex Prince Reference stands as an architectural triumph of Art Deco horology and a masterclass in functional design. Manufactured from the late 1920s through the mid-1930s, this legendary timepiece features a flared, curved "Brancard" case that seamlessly blends alternating precious metals, housing the highly accurate, rectangular movement. Revered by elite collectors as the quintessential "Doctor's Watch," its innovative dual-dial configuration isolates the hours and minutes from an oversized seconds register. This deliberate, non-overlapping layout allowed medical professionals to measure a patient's pulse with absolute precision at that moment in history, cementing the Prince's dual legacy as a high-fashion status symbol and an indispensable mechanical tool.