Rolex Prince Brancard, Art Deco, Silver, 1929

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Rolex Prince Brancard, Art Deco, Silver, 1929

About the Item

A very rare, fine and well-preserved Art Deco vintage wristwatch in silver by Rolex made in 1929. One of the very first Rolex Prince models made in its launch year. “The Rolex Prince the watch for men of distinction” If there was ever an accessory that identified one as a man of distinction it is the Rolex Prince Brancard Wristwatch. Launched in 1929, in the heyday of the roaring 20’s, it was revolutionary in its design and mechanism. Rectangular in form yet curved with its elegant flared sides that sit comfortably in the curvature of the wrist. When fully wound it has power for 66 hours, a length of time unheard of in those days. It also had a subsidiary second’s dial which was large enough to be used by the medical profession when taking the pulse which led to its being colloquially known as “the Doctor’s watch”. This iconic piece was marketed by Hans Wilsdorf, creator of the Rolex Watch Company, in all its advertising as for “men of distinction”. A very expensive watch at the time, its rarity was promoted as another douceur to the man of distinction, very few were made – an early example of watch marketing in what we would now refer to as a “limited edition”. There is a copy of an original advertisement from 1929 (at the end of the photograph section) for your interest. It was then and still is now, a very rare, sought after and elegant vintage watch. Model 971. Model 971. Silver case and flares marked RWC Ltd in lozenge and “Rolex, 25 World’s Records, Geneva-Suisse” Glasgow import for 1929 and .925 hallmarks. The Extra Prima Chronometer Observatory movement jewelled to the centre with hairspring, with 15-Rubies and marked “Timed 6 positions”. Two tone, silvered, bi-metallic dial. Black Chapter, Arabic Art Deco numerals, oversized subsidiary seconds dial and indexes. Blued steel hands. Case, movement and dial signed. Case Measurements: Length (lug to lug): 43 mm Width (Widest): 25 mm Width (Narrowest): 23 mm Depth: 8mm All watches are given a full thorough service. They are stripped down to their individual parts, thoroughly checked for any obvious wear and tear, cleaned, re-oiled, reassembled and regulated. The final result is that the case, dial and movement are in pristine condition.

Creator:
Rolex
Case Material:
Silver
Case Dimensions:
Width: 0.99 in (25 mm)Depth: 0.32 in (8 mm)Length: 1.7 in (43 mm)
Style:
Art Deco
Place of Origin:
Switzerland
Period:
1920-1929
Date of Manufacture:
1929
Condition:
Pristine, fully serviced, 2 year guarantee and full after sales maintenance service.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 28251stDibs: LU92212592342

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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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