36 Rolex An extremely refined, attractive and superbly preserved, Prince Imperial, art deco pocket watch in white gold, with irregular hexagonal case and silvered dial, reference 9248.

Estimate: € 8.000 –⁠ 16.000

Rolex’s legacy in precision timekeeping is most often celebrated through its wristwatches, yet the firm’s foray into pocket horology reveals a chapter of bold experimentation and uncompromising excellence. While few collectors today associate the brand with formal timepieces of this nature, Rolex’s finest pocket watches were often conceived not merely as utilitarian objects but as refined showcases of mechanical sophistication and modern design. The Imperial Prince, reference 9248, is such a creation, a masterpiece that bridges the house’s chronometric prowess with a stylistic daring that remains as arresting today as it was in the 1940s. Housed in a bold, irregular, hexagonal "pear" shaped case rendered in 18K white gold, the present example is remarkably sculptural and, crucially, extremely well-preserved. Its clean surfaces are punctuated by alternating polished and brushed finishes, highlighting the sharp lines of the case and further enhancing its presence. The dial, laid out in a striking dual-register format, speaks to the model’s medical heritage, often referred to as a "doctor’s dial," with an oversized subsidiary seconds display positioned at 6 o’clock, designed for swiftly reading a patient’s pulse. Inside beats a large Ultra Prima grade movement, a designation reserved for Rolex’s most accurate calibers of the era. Offered in superb condition, and still retaining its caseback Rolex sticker the present Rolex Imperial is accompanied by a design of rare architectural clarity and stands as a beacon of Rolex’s quiet ambition during the golden age of Swiss pocket watches, a highly collectible object of mechanical art.

Condition Report

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