Rolex Prince 971

Very Well Preserved and Rare, Prince Brancard, Wirstwatch in Silver, Two Tone Sector Dial, Reference 971, Retailed by Beyer

Model: Prince Brancard Reference: 971 Case Material: Silver Bracelet Material: Leather Strap Year: 1920's Movement: Manual Case N°: 06171 Dimensions: 26 × 42 mm Signed: Dial, Movement and Case The Rolex Prince is a model that laid the foundation for Rolex’s ascent in the watchmaking world. Distinct, refined, and elegant, it is among the most attractive Art Deco wristwatches ever made and a symbol of luxury during the Depression-era. Launched in the 1920s, the Prince has been produced in various versions, such as the Classic, the Railway, and the Brancard, like the present lot offered here. The Prince’s special design features a rectangular case and a unique dial layout with a large hours and minutes display positioned slightly above the seconds subdial. This design was highly unusual for the time and was particularly useful for doctors, who could easily check their patients’ heartbeats. This functionality earned the model the nickname “doctor’s watch.” The watch offered here is a reference 971 with a silver case and a snap-on back. The silvered dial is incredibly attractive, featuring an hour/minute display with a two-tone sector structure and Arabic numerals. The center of the dial prominently displays the prestigious signature of the Swiss retailer Beyer, the oldest watch boutique in Switzerland, which has been satisfying customers since 1760 and has played a pivotal role in making many timepieces accessible to discerning clientele. Known among collectors as the Prince Brancard, this model features an elaborate case with flared sides. When found with a special dial and double signed, such as this one, it becomes one of the rarest and most coveted trophies among collectors, especially when preserved in outstanding original condition.