The "jump hour" movement was introduced by Aegler in 1031 and first offered by Rolex & Gruen the following year. Called the "Automatic" Prince in the publicity materials of the time, it cost an additional 1 guinea (/p1.05) over the price of an equivalent standard Prince; this however was a 10 premium on the cost of a silver Prince. Due to the additional cost and the difficulty in quickly reading the time, the watch proved to be a commercial failure and was dropped from the catalogues within 6 years (although production may have ended earlier) These factors have combined to make this one of the rarest and now most desirable of all Princes.
An 18 carat two colour gold rectangular wristwatch with jump hour indication
SIGNED ROLEX AND R.W.C. LTD.,MODEL PRINCE CHRONOMETER BRANCARD, MODEL NO. 1490, CASE NO. 5548, 1930S
Details
An 18 carat two colour gold rectangular wristwatch with jump hour indication
Signed Rolex and R.W.C. Ltd.,model Prince Chronometer Brancard, model no. 1490, case no. 5548, 1930s
The nickel plated extra prima movement jewelled to the centre with bimetallic balance timed to six positions, the two tone silvered dial with Arabic five minute divisions, sector for the hour and large subsidiary seconds, the white gold rectangular case with pink gold flared sides and snap on back, case, dial and movement signed
42 x 26 mm.
Import mark Glasgow 1931
Signed Rolex and R.W.C. Ltd.,model Prince Chronometer Brancard, model no. 1490, case no. 5548, 1930s
The nickel plated extra prima movement jewelled to the centre with bimetallic balance timed to six positions, the two tone silvered dial with Arabic five minute divisions, sector for the hour and large subsidiary seconds, the white gold rectangular case with pink gold flared sides and snap on back, case, dial and movement signed
42 x 26 mm.
Import mark Glasgow 1931