234 Rolex Very Rare and Unusual, Prince “Railway”, Wristwatch in Steel, White Breguet numbers Dial, Reference 1768

Estimate: € 5,000 –⁠ 10,000

Model: Prince
Reference: 1768
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel
Year: 1920s
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 7 1/2″
Case N°: 010243
Dimensions: 21 x 42 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement

The Prince is probably one of those models that lead the foundations for the ascent of Rolex in watchmaking world. Distinct, refined and elegant this watch is among the most attractive Art Deco wristwatches ever made and one of the symbols of luxury during the Depression-era. Its special design with a rectangle case and a large dial for the hours and minutes positioned slightly above the seconds was totally unusual for the time and very comfortable for checking the heartbeat of the patients: that was the reason which gave this model the nickname of “doctor’s watch”. Now considered as one of the most groundbreaking watches ever released, the Prince has been produced in various versions such as the Classic, the Brancard or the Railway like the lot offered here. The “Railway Prince” was released in the 1930s and was designed after the look of locomotives. The present watch is a specimen of reference 1768 produced in stainless steel, the white dial is absolutely enchanting for quality and beauty with the two different subsidiary dials for hours and second, the Breguet numerals in gold and baton hands complete the configuration of the dial. The caliber is a 7 1/2″.