Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1948 Reference No: 1490 Movement No: T84'878 Case No: 614'579 Model Name: Prince Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 350 7 1/2’’’, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Dimensions: 42mm. Length, 23mm. Width Signed: Case, dial, and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
Introduced in 1928, the stylish Art Deco Rolex Prince was known as the doctor’s watch due to its separate and distinct seconds dial beneath the main timekeeping dial, making the design ideal for measuring a patient’s pulse rate.
This stunningly attractive Prince is a very rare and coveted reference 1490 ’Wide Brancard’ variant. In stainless steel, it features ‘stretcher’-style gold borders on its two-tone dial, but impresses most of all due to its oversized, flared case. It is believed to be one of the last examples of the Prince models made by Rolex.
This exceptional watch retains, what can be described without any exaggeration, its original factory finish. It is in absolutely mint condition, which is evident from the mirror finished polishing, sharp edges, and well-defined bevels throughout. With its crisp case, immaculate dial tastefully highlighted by gold polished numerals, and pristine movement, it is sure to impress even the most demanding connoisseurs.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.