Rolex Prince ‘Jump Hour’ - Stainless Steel - Observatory - Recent Service
Introduced to the market in 1928, the legendary "Prince" with its elegant Art Deco case design has ever since been popular amongst aficionados and aristocrats of the period. The models, always fitted with rectangular cases of different shapes, were advertised as "The Watch for Men of Distinction" albeit only a few fortunate ones afforded the ‘Rolex Prince ‘Jumping Hours’…
The present watch is a rare Stainless Steel variant and from the celebrated reference 1491 HS series, distinguished by the flared sides and called "Brancard" from the French word "brancard" for "stretcher", and the "Heures Sautantes" or "Jumping Hours". In superb working order and in very good condition. Recently serviced by a master horologist and in good working order keeping accurate time with the jump hour feature working correctly. Ready to enjoy and treasure for many years to come!
The Original Dial: Many rectangular watches of this period carried dials with ‘art-deco’ influences and this can be seen in the design. Square and rectangular watch dials present certain challenges to dial designers, here the approach, Arabic numerals, a minute railtrack completes the top dial and is complete with a red jump hour aperture at ’12’ and the dial carries a perfectly proportioned subsidiary seconds dial at the bottom. Both the dials on this watch are swept by eventail blued steel hands. The dial is signed: ‘Rolex Prince’ with Swiss Made at the very bottom. The dial has micro marks commensurate with age and wear not noticeable to the naked eye only under magnification or when looking very closely. Overall good condition. Please observe photographs.
Original Case: The case measures 26mm across, excluding the correct unsigned crown, and 43mm excluding the lugs. This beautiful watch has a particularly elegantly shaped case with attractive elongated lugs. This may seem a little small, but it is, in fact, quite a large watch for the period, especially when one considers it is 49mm across the diagonal, including the lugs. The two-piece case is not hinged, but is opened using the bottom lip and swings open, revealing the movement. The movement can then be removed without any tools by holding the upper case and gently lifting the case back away from the main case – not recommended for the inexperienced or the faint hearted. When acquiring such a rectangular or square watch, it is important to ensure the case shows no wear, no fatigue cracks and no pinholes, particularly around the hinge and corner areas. This type of case is prone to wear and damage in these areas, which is another reason these watches are rare, as cases become beyond repair and restoration. Fortunately, this example has been extremely well cared for and very lightly used, the case has required no work apart from some very light hand-polishing. There are no deep scratches or dings and no damage heavy wear visible including any signs of previous repairs or intervention. Looks larger on the wrist due to its rectangle style shape.
Original Crown/Winder: Unsigned crown in very good condition and functioning order.
Original Movement: The movement is signed ‘Rolex Hairspring Observatory Quality Timed 6 Positions’, ‘17 Rubies’ and ‘For All Climates’, this movement also carries the Rolex serial number 76175. The movement fitted to this watch is the original 17 Jewelled Observatory movement used in all the best Rolex hand-wound watches of this period. As can be seen, it is superb condition having just completed a full overhaul and service by a master horologist Rolex specialist watchmaker. The movement is running accurately and the jump hour feature engages effortlessly!
Original Crystal: Good condition.
Original Case Back Cover Outer: Snap back stainless steel case, pops and clicks as it should. The case-back also carries the Rolex model reference and serial number. As can be seen, these numbers are clear and distinct, which is a very strong indication this watch has been very lightly used. In good condition. Numbered 5428 1491 HS. Please see photos.
Original Case Back Cover Inner: Inside the case-back is found the early and correct Rolex 25 World’s Record Geneva Suisse Rolesuim Registered Inalterable - R.W.C Ltd signature for Rolex Watch Co Ltd. The case, in common with the majority of Rolex cases of this period.
Rolex Genuine Buckle/ Aftermarket Strap Band: Aftermarket unauthentic leather strap in good condition fitted to a genuine signed steel buckle.
*Please observe photos carefully as they form part of the description*
Please note this Rolex is over 90 years old
Shipping DHL insured registered post World wide, buyer responsible for any taxes or duties due which may delay or hold up your shipment at destination port. Rolex Prince ‘Jump Hour’ - Stainless Steel - Observatory - Recent Service
$
38,029
Basic Info
Listing code IZ6PS0
Brand Rolex
Model Prince
Reference number 1491HS
Movement Manual winding
Case material Steel
Year of production 1930 (Approximation)
Condition Good (Light signs of wear or scratches)
Scope of delivery No original box, no original papers
Gender Men's watch/Unisex
Location United Kingdom, Sutton Coldfield
Price £29,500 (= $38,029) [Negotiable]
Availability Item is in stock
Caliber
Movement Manual winding
Caliber/movement 350
Number of jewels 17
Case
Case material Steel
Case diameter 26 x 43 mm
Try it on
Thickness 8.5 mm
Water resistance Not water resistant
Bezel material Steel
Crystal Plexiglass
Dial White
Dial numerals Arabic numerals
Bracelet/strap
Bracelet color Black
Bracelet length 175 mm (100 mm / 75 mm)
Bracelet thickness 2.6 mm
Lug width 20 mm
Size guide
Clasp Buckle
Clasp material Steel
Buckle width 16 mm
Functions
Jumping hour
Introduced to the market in 1928, the legendary "Prince" with its elegant Art Deco case design has ever since been popular amongst aficionados and aristocrats of the period. The models, always fitted with rectangular cases of different shapes, were advertised as "The Watch for Men of Distinction" albeit only a few fortunate ones afforded the ‘Rolex Prince ‘Jumping Hours’…
The present watch is a rare Stainless Steel variant and from the celebrated reference 1491 HS series, distinguished by the flared sides and called "Brancard" from the French word "brancard" for "stretcher", and the "Heures Sautantes" or "Jumping Hours". In superb working order and in very good condition. Recently serviced by a master horologist and in good working order keeping accurate time with the jump hour feature working correctly. Ready to enjoy and treasure for many years to come!
The Original Dial: Many rectangular watches of this period carried dials with ‘art-deco’ influences and this can be seen in the design. Square and rectangular watch dials present certain challenges to dial designers, here the approach, Arabic numerals, a minute railtrack completes the top dial and is complete with a red jump hour aperture at ’12’ and the dial carries a perfectly proportioned subsidiary seconds dial at the bottom. Both the dials on this watch are swept by eventail blued steel hands. The dial is signed: ‘Rolex Prince’ with Swiss Made at the very bottom. The dial has micro marks commensurate with age and wear not noticeable to the naked eye only under magnification or when looking very closely. Overall good condition. Please observe photographs.
Original Case: The case measures 26mm across, excluding the correct unsigned crown, and 43mm excluding the lugs. This beautiful watch has a particularly elegantly shaped case with attractive elongated lugs. This may seem a little small, but it is, in fact, quite a large watch for the period, especially when one considers it is 49mm across the diagonal, including the lugs. The two-piece case is not hinged, but is opened using the bottom lip and swings open, revealing the movement. The movement can then be removed without any tools by holding the upper case and gently lifting the case back away from the main case – not recommended for the inexperienced or the faint hearted. When acquiring such a rectangular or square watch, it is important to ensure the case shows no wear, no fatigue cracks and no pinholes, particularly around the hinge and corner areas. This type of case is prone to wear and damage in these areas, which is another reason these watches are rare, as cases become beyond repair and restoration. Fortunately, this example has been extremely well cared for and very lightly used, the case has required no work apart from some very light hand-polishing. There are no deep scratches or dings and no damage heavy wear visible including any signs of previous repairs or intervention. Looks larger on the wrist due to its rectangle style shape.
Original Crown/Winder: Unsigned crown in very good condition and functioning order.
Original Movement: The movement is signed ‘Rolex Hairspring Observatory Quality Timed 6 Positions’, ‘17 Rubies’ and ‘For All Climates’, this movement also carries the Rolex serial number 76175. The movement fitted to this watch is the original 17 Jewelled Observatory movement used in all the best Rolex hand-wound watches of this period. As can be seen, it is superb condition having just completed a full overhaul and service by a master horologist Rolex specialist watchmaker. The movement is running accurately and the jump hour feature engages effortlessly!
Original Crystal: Good condition.
Original Case Back Cover Outer: Snap back stainless steel case, pops and clicks as it should. The case-back also carries the Rolex model reference and serial number. As can be seen, these numbers are clear and distinct, which is a very strong indication this watch has been very lightly used. In good condition. Numbered 5428 1491 HS. Please see photos.
Original Case Back Cover Inner: Inside the case-back is found the early and correct Rolex 25 World’s Record Geneva Suisse Rolesuim Registered Inalterable - R.W.C Ltd signature for Rolex Watch Co Ltd. The case, in common with the majority of Rolex cases of this period.
Rolex Genuine Buckle/ Aftermarket Strap Band: Aftermarket unauthentic leather strap in good condition fitted to a genuine signed steel buckle.
*Please observe photos carefully as they form part of the description*
Please note this Rolex is over 90 years old
Shipping DHL insured registered post World wide, buyer responsible for any taxes or duties due which may delay or hold up your shipment at destination port.
