I · The Maker/II · The Object/III · The Dial/IV · The Record/V · Acquisition
Room I · The Maker
Rolex introduced the Prince wristwatch in 1928, a rectangular precision watch with its seconds on a separate dial. From the 1930s the Prince Imperial name went on Rolex pocket watches in round and shaped cases. From 1915 Rolex advertised a running count of precision records won at timing trials such as Kew and Neuchâtel, and from about 1924 it stamped that count inside its casebacks, the figure rising as new results came in.
The Rolex Patent Cap, intact
The Object
A Rolex Prince Imperial in stainless steel, its caseback stamped inside with 31 Victoires de Haute Précision, Genève Suisse: the count of precision records Rolex claimed when it was made. The salmon dial is clean, original and exceptional.
The Prince Imperial carried the Prince name into Rolex's pocket watches, and this is its round form: a full chapter ring with the seconds register sunk at six, the whole dial a study in controlled proportion.
The dial is the exceptional thing about this example. The salmon lacquer is deep and even, the guilloché texture of the seconds register intact, the Roman numerals at twelve, three and nine sharp between their baton markers, the blued steel hands original and straight. Prince dials are fragile objects that have had ninety years to go wrong, to fade, to be repainted or replaced, and this one keeps its original finish.
Inside the caseback Rolex stamped its house claim of the time, 31 Victoires de Haute Précision: the running count of precision records it claimed from timing trials such as Kew and Neuchâtel. The figure rose over the years, and 31 places this case in the later 1930s.
The watch winds, sets and runs correctly, and it comes with its Albert curb-link chain.
The marks, the movement and the condition are set out piece by piece in the drawers below; the caseback stamp is recorded in The Record.
Room III · The Dial
Reading the dial · tap a number
- 1Rolex ChronomètreThe Rolex crown and Chronomètre signature below twelve.
- 2Prince ImperialThe model name, printed either side of the centre.
- 3Roman numeralsThe Roman numerals sharp.
- 4Blued steel handsThe blued steel hands original and straight.
- 5Guilloché secondsThe guilloché texture of the seconds register intact.
- 6Salmon lacquerOne salmon tone across the dial and the seconds register, deep and even.
- 7Stainless steelThe plain round case in stainless steel.
Beneath the case
Open each drawer to look closer
Mark 1
Reference 3927, case serial 1009886
Rolex reference number identifying the round Prince Imperial case in stainless steel, with its case serial number.
Mark 2
Rolex stamp and SAR shield
Inside the caseback: Rolex's 31 Victoires de Haute Precision stamp, and below it a crown over the letters SAR in an arched shield.
Part A
Manual Wind
Lever escapement with 18 jewels, wound and set via the crown.
Part B
Rolex Patent Cap
The Rolex Patent Cap, engraved Protecting Escapement, Brevets Français S.G.D.G., is intact.
Part C
Chronometer
Signed Rolex Chronometer, timed six positions, 18 rubies.
Part D
Subsidiary Seconds
Sunk subsidiary seconds register at six.
Case
Excellent
Stainless steel with light surface wear consistent with age; no dents, chips or repairs. Caseback opens and closes cleanly.
Dial
Excellent
Salmon lacquer even and original. Guilloché subsidiary seconds retains original texture. Roman numerals sharp and original.
Movement
Excellent
18 jewels, Rolex Patent Cap intact. Winds, sets and runs correctly.
Crystal
Excellent
Clean, no chips or significant scratches.
Crown
Excellent
Present and functional.
43.23
This watch
25.75
€2 coin
A €2 coin is 25.75 mm. This case is more than two and a half times its area.
Room IV · The Record
Thirty-one victories, stamped inside the caseback
Inside the caseback Rolex stamped ROLEX 31 VICTOIRES DE HAUTE PRECISION, GENEVE SUISSE: the running count of precision records the house claimed from timing trials such as Kew and Neuchâtel. The count rose in steps, from 7 in 1915 to 27 by December 1931 and 31 by October 1937, which places this case in the later 1930s. The case is numbered 1009886 and the movement 1001169. Reference 3927 identifies the round Prince Imperial in stainless steel.
- Maker
- Rolex
- Model
- Prince Imperial
- Case
- Stainless Steel (Open Face)
- Diameter
- 43.23mm
- Reference
- 3927
- Movement
- Manual wind, lever escapement
- Jewels
- 18
- Complications
- Subsidiary seconds
- Country of Origin
- Switzerland
- Hallmarks
- 3927 / 1009886 / crown over SAR shield
- Movement Serial
- 1001169
- Case Serial
- 1009886
- Estimated Date
- C.1937
- Included
- Albert curb-link chain
The Estate Collection
Room V · Acquisition
€12.500
We’d love to discuss our passion for this piece with you.
Rolex
€12.500
Enquiry
Prince Imperial
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