Ref. 1768 Prince Railway ROLEX

Name: Ref. 1768 Prince Railway ROLEX
Brand: Rolex
Rating: 4.9 (81 reviews)

About the Item

Ref. 1768 “Prince Railway” Rolex "Prince Railway", Ref. 1768. Case No. 014106. Made in 1933. Fine and rare, rectangular curved, stainless steel gentleman's Art Deco wristwatch. C. Two-body, polished and brushed, stepped sides, straight lugs. D. Two-tone silver with painted Arabic numerals and baton indexes, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. Blued steel “Alpha” hands. M. 7 1/2 ''' T. S. 300, Observatory Quality, rhodium-plated, 15 jewels, lateral lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to 6 positions, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 21 x 42 mm. Thickness 9 mm. 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 7 1/2 ''' T. S. 300 was made between 1932 and 1938. This watch is illustrated in “Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches”, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, 2001 Edition, p. 37. 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 7 1/2 ''' T. S. 300 was made between 1932 and 1938. This watch is illustrated in “Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches”, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, 2001 Edition, p. 37.

Creator:
Rolex
Case Material:
Stainless Steel
Style:
Art Deco
Place of Origin:
Switzerland
Period:
Early 20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1930 s circa
Condition:
Fine vintage condition, detailed and serviced, and comes with one year warranty for accurate timekeeping.
Seller Location:
Firenze, IT
Reference Number:
Seller: 2141stDibs: JU110516120221

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Rolex

While the rise in popularity of vintage Rolex watches is of no surprise to aficionados, collectors and industry experts, when it comes to contemporary luxury wristwatches, Rolex is also often the first brand that springs to mind. Not only is the company revered for its precision timekeeping and impeccable craftsmanship, but its name was designed to be memorable.

Rolex's enviable worldwide recognition can be credited in part to the genius of company founder Hans Wilsdorf. When the German-born watch dealer and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, set up their London enterprise, in 1905, they called it Wilsdorf Davis, according to the traditional formula.

But Wilsdorf was determined to come up with another name that was short, would look good on a watch dial and was easy to say and remember in several languages. In 1908, he trademarked the name Rolex, and by 1920, he had moved the company to Geneva and redubbed it as Montres Rolex S.A.

But the main reasons for the brand’s success are its aforementioned commitment to precision and unflagging pursuit of innovation. In 1926, the company introduced the aptly named Oyster model. With a screw-down crown and case back, both fitted with rubber gaskets, this was the first truly waterproof watch.

Five years later, Rolex upped the ante with the Oyster Perpetual. That model’s patented Perpetual movement contained a rotor mechanism enabling it to self-wind. In another trendsetting move, in 1945, the brand debuted the Datejust, with a date window prominently displayed on the dial.

The company’s two most iconic models are sports watches. Although the Submariner, which debuted in 1953, was developed as a dive watch, its waterproof case, solid construction and good looks made it a favorite of adventurers and urbanites alike, including James Bond, who wore it in classics like Dr. No and Goldfinger. The Daytona, the racing chronograph made famous by Paul Newman, is especially sought after by collectors. Newman’s personal Daytona, which hit the auction block in 2017, sold for $17.8 million.

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Vintage 1930s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Rolex Prince "Railway" Chronometer Watch 9K Yellow Gold

$12,000

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H 1.38 in W 0.79 in

1991 Tudor (Rolex) Prince Oysterdate Vintage Mens Ref. 74000 Watch

By Tudor

Located in Suwanee, GA

NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating. 1991 TUDOR (Rolex) PRINCE OYSTERDATE Vintage Mens Ref. 74000 Watch - Stainless Steel Rolex Case, Crown & Bracelet - Gorgeous Original Condition - 1 Year Warranty More and more collectors are becoming acquainted with watches from Rolex's Tudor brand, creations which have become increasingly more collectible. Watches in the Tudor line, apart from the fact that they utilize ebauche movements, are similar to those of Rolex in design and construction. When Rolex launched the Tudor brand in 1945, they strongly intended that the public perception of its quality had to equal that of Rolex. To achieve this lofty aim, until the mid-1990's, Tudor watches featured Rolex cases and crowns, and, until 1971, Rolex bracelets. An advertisement in Britain's Horological Journal in vintage times stated that Tudor's were, "Manufactured under strict Rolex supervision and bear the Rolex label of guarantee." The Prince Oysterdate comes across with a feeling of familiarity to many watch collectors because of its connection to Rolex. While those connections have faded a bit in recent years, this 74000 was birthed at a time when the two brands were bonded together a lot more closely than they are today. Patterned after the Rolex Oysterdate, one of the company's staple models, it is thinner and of course a bit more affordable than its Rolex sibling. However, it has two more desirable features than a Rolex Oysterdate - this Prince Oysterdate has a movement that is automatic, unlike the Rolex, and it has semi quick-setting, also something that Rolex Oysterdate's didn't have. This 74000, which plays sort of a transitional role in what was Tudor's growing independence from Rolex, is indicative of the period when the two giant watch brands functioned as best friends. The watch itself has all of its original parts. Its original Rolex Oyster case presents in gorgeous mint condition with only very slight signs of previous polishing. Its case presents nearly like new. Its untouched original dial is mint with beautifully toned luminous. The original luminous in its hands perfectly matches the pips. As I mentioned, until 1971 Rolex fitted Tudor watches with true Rolex bracelets - the exact same ones that came with their Rolex branded watches. Though this watch would have come with a Tudor bracelet, it has previously been upgraded to a full Rolex bracelet made in 1971, the last year that a Rolex bracelet would have been correct to fit on a Tudor watch. A Master Watchmaker has freshly overhauled the watch, and it has also been examined by our Master Watchmaker who worked for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center. It is running exceptionally strong and true, keeping time better than many new Tudors and Rolexes in our testing recording position. For the finishing touch, we have meticulously detailed it making it ready for immediate enjoyment. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. As mentioned one used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership. Detailed Appraisal: Country of origin: Switzerland Maker: Tudor Model: Prince Oysterdate, Ref. 74000 Serial no.: B353,643 Year built: 1991 Functions: Hours, Minutes, Automatic, Sweep Seconds, Semi-Quick Setting Date Designed for: Men Case material: Stainless steel Case markings (outside): Original Oyster Case by Rolex Geneva...

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