The Mondani Collection of Rolex Wrist...

Geneva, May 14, 2006

LOT 46

Ref.1490, "Prince Brancard" Rolex, "Prince Brancard, Chronometre", Ref. 1490. Case No. 17365. Made in 1935. Very fine and very rare, flared and curved rectangular, stainless steel and pink gold gentleman's Art Deco wristwatch.

CHF 15,000 - 20,000

EUR 10,000 - 13,000 / USD 12,000 - 16,000

Sold: CHF 38,940

C. Two-body, bi-color, solid, polished, stepped pink gold sides and flared lugs. D. Three-tone pink gilt with Arabic quarters and outer hour/minute track, subsidiary seconds dial. Blued steel ?épée? hands. M. Cal. 7 1/2''' T. S. 300, "Ultra-Prima?, rhodium-plated, 18 jewels, lateral lever escapement, monometallic balance timed in six positions, Breguet balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 25 x 42 mm. Thickness 8 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

This example of the ?Prince Brancard Chronometre? is not only a stunning watch with its two-tone case and three-tone dial, it is also a true chronometer and would have been delivered when new with a Observatory Chronometer certificate. Besides their shape, the Rolex Prince watches differ from most watches of this period by their duo-dial design, that is hours and minutes at the top and seconds at the bottom. This feature earned them the name ?Doctors? Watches? as the clear separation of hours from seconds allowed for clear timings of pulse and respiration. The Rolex Prince line of watches was made in 9K 14K, and 18K white, yellow and pink gold, steel, silver, platinum and in combinations of these metals - steel and gold for example. The calibre 8 1/2''' T. S. 300 was made between 1932 and 1938. This watch is illustrated in ?Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches?, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, 2001 Edition, pp. 35.