Prince of watches goes under the hammer

The Gent’s Rolex Prince brancard strap watch carries a price estimate of £4,000 to £6,000 and – due to its scarcity and fine design – is considered an excellent investment timepiece.

Launched originally in 1928, the Rolex Prince was known as the ‘Doctor’s Watch’ due to a separate smaller dial indicating seconds that made it easy for medical practitioners to take a patient’s pulse.

The watch we have in our sale is marked R.W.C. Ltd and hallmarked 18ct gold 1929, and is signed Rolex Extra Prima to the barrel. Its flared rectangular case depicts the characteristic alternate white and yellow ‘Zebra’ stripes and is the epitome of classic Art Deco design.

In its day, it would have made a truly unique dress watch that would have been much admired and sought after within fashionable circles. Models like this are now extremely hard to come by, especially – as is the case with this example – when they are signed, in working order and in good condition.

The timepiece has a manually wound movement that is signed Rolex Hairspring Timed 6 Positions Observatory Quality 15 Rubies. The back of the case has an entwined monogram with an internal engraving that reads "From Dad to Reg on his 21st Birthday 4/1/15".  It is fitted with a brown leather strap from a later date.