Original price was: £13,995.00.£0.00Current price is: £0.00.
Rare Vintage Rolex Prince Brancard in two-tone 9ct Gold (Ref. 971)
This exceptionally rare vintage Rolex Prince Brancard wristwatch, crafted in two-tone 9ct, is a remarkable example of early Rolex precision and design. The Brancard case (Ref. 971) measures 25 x 42 mm and is signed R.W.C. Ltd. (Rolex Watch Company Limited). Inside, the Observatory-grade Rolex movement, featuring 15 rubies and adjusted to six positions, ensures superior accuracy.
The Rolex Prince – The “Doctor’s Watch”
The Rolex Prince, known for its dual-dial design, earned the nickname “doctor’s watch” or “duo-dial” due to its prominent large seconds subdial, which allowed medical professionals to time pulses with greater accuracy.
Introduced in 1929, the Prince featured an innovative movement originally developed by Aegler and Hans Wilsdorf. A groundbreaking 1927 patent outlined a shaped movement with a separate seconds dial, positioning the barrel and balance wheel at opposite ends. This design accommodated a larger balance wheel for enhanced accuracy and a larger winding barrel, extending the power reserve. As a result, most Rolex Prince models were chronometer-certified and sold with an official chronometer certificate.
Despite the similarity in movements across the Prince collection—excluding the rare Jump Hour model—case designs varied. The Brancard case was produced in silver, gold, platinum, and stainless steel, including rare variations like the two-tone and “tiger-stripe” designs. Other case styles included the Railway case with stepped sides and a straight-sided version.
Rolex itself acknowledged the exclusivity of the Prince, stating that such finely crafted watches “cannot be produced quickly or in large quantities.” Today, the Rolex Prince Brancard remains a coveted collector’s piece, a testament to Rolex’s early commitment to precision and elegance.
| Case Size | 25mm x 42mm (excluding crown) |
|---|---|
| Complications | Doctors layout |
| Delivery | Watch only |
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1992 Rolex Explorer II – 166570 – Full Set
