Rolex
Reference 971 Prince 'Tiger Stripe' | A two-tone white and yellow gold rectangular wristwatch, Circa 1926
Session begins in
June 15, 06:00 PM GMT
Estimate
10,000 - 20,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Dial: silvered
Caliber: mechanical, 18 jewels
Case: 18k yellow and white gold, snap-on case back
Case number: 1'382
Size: 25.3 x 43 mm (width x length including lugs)
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
The Rolex Prince Reference 971, particularly the "Tiger Stripe" variant, 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 calibre 877 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.