The Mondani Collection of Rolex Wrist...

Geneva, May 14, 2006

LOT 4

Ref. 971U "Prince Brancard" Rolex, "Prince Brancard", Ref. 971U. Case No. 71923. Made in 1930. Case with Glasgow import marks for 1930-31. Fine and rare, flared and curved rectangular, white and yellow 18K gold gentleman's Art Deco wristwatch.

CHF 13,000 - 18,000

EUR 8,500 - 11,000 / USD 10,000 - 14,000

Sold: CHF 17,700

C. Two-body, solid, polished, stepped sides, flared lugs. D. Two-tone silver and gilt with gilt Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds dial. Blued steel ?spade? hands. M. Cal. 7 1/2''',?Extra- Prima?, "Observatory quality?, rhodium-plated, 15 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.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-11-24

Good

Slightly worn

Slightly chipped
Movement: 3-33*

Good

Restored

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-5-01

Good

Poor

HANDS Original

Notes

Prince Brancard The ?Prince Brancard? is certainly the most elegant amongst the shaped watches by Rolex. Rectangular in shape with flared sides and slightly curved back to better fit the wrist. The first ?Prince Brancard? models (refs. 971, 971a and 971u) where made from 1929 to 1935. 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 and 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. This watch is illustrated in ?Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches?, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, 2001 Edition, p. 32.