Skip to content
Rolex Prince 9CT Gold Lever Pocket Watch, c. 1930s — view 1 of 5
View 1 of 5 · Image: WatchMuseum.org shop · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Rolex Prince 9CT Gold Lever Pocket Watch, c. 1930s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Rolex (maker)
Date
c. 1930s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
gold
Stock no.
Product 3201
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 3201)
Catalogue title (original)
Rolex Prince 9CT Gold Lever Pocket Watch (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 3201), this is a pocket watch by Rolex, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1930s. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. The record is illustrated with 5 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop

The Rolex Prince 9CT Gold Lever Pocket Watch from the 1930s is a remarkable and exceedingly rare timepiece that epitomizes the elegance and craftsmanship of its era. This exquisite dress watch, fashioned from 9ct yellow gold, showcases a unique silver bow tie dial adorned with Arabic numerals, black enamel batons, and an outer minute track, all complemented by the original matching blued steel hands and seconds hand. The intricate design extends to the separate seconds dial, which also features a bow tie motif. The Rhombus-designed case, fully signed and hallmarked by Rolex, exudes sophistication with its polished back and meticulous detailing. Inside, the high-quality Rhombus keyless lever movement, nickel-finished and fully jeweled, stands as a testament to Rolex’s commitment to precision and innovation, featuring the Rolex Patent Cap protecting escapement. As a rare gem from the Belle Époque era, this pocket watch is not only a functional timepiece but also a highly collectible artifact, making it a prized addition to any horological collection. With its exceptional design, superior materials, and outstanding movement, the Rolex Prince is a true treasure, offering a unique opportunity to own a piece of horological history. Introducing the stunning and very rare Rolex Prince pocket watch, crafted from 9ct yellow gold in the 1930s. This exceptional dress watch features a silver bow tie dial with Arabic twelve, black enamel batons and an outer minute track. The separate seconds dial also boasts a bow tie design within the dial. The original matching blued steel hands and seconds hand complete the sophisticated look of the dial. The Rhombus-designed case is crafted from 9ct yellow gold with a plain, polished back. It is fully signed Rolex, numbered and Swiss hallmarked. The high-quality Rhombus keyless lever movement is Nickel finished and fully jewelled. It is also signed Rolex and features the Rolex Patent Cap protecting escapement. This movement is considered one of the best pocket watch movements produced by Rolex. As a rare pocket watch designed in the Belle Epoch era, the Rolex Prince is a highly collectible timepiece that would make an excellent addition to any collection. The combination of its exceptional design, high-quality materials, and exceptional movement make it a true treasure. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of horological history. Creator: Rolex Case Material: Gold,18k Gold Case Dimensions: Diameter: 38 mm (1.5 in) Place of Origin: Switzerland Period: Early 20th Century Date of Manufacture: 1930 Condition: Excellent

Historical context

Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)

The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.

The pocket watch reached technical maturity and then began to give way to the wristwatch after the First World War. Complicated watches for collectors such as Henry Graves Jr. and James Ward Packard, railroad watches, and slim Art Deco dress watches are characteristic.

Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution

Atlas type guide

Pocket watches

The pocket watch was the dominant personal timekeeper from the late seventeenth century until the First World War. Its development tracks the history of the escapement: verge watches with fusees until the late eighteenth century; Thomas Mudge's lever escapement (c. 1755) and the cylinder escapement popularised by George Graham and later by Swiss makers; and the Swiss and English lever watches of the nineteenth century. Lépine's bar-bridge calibre and keyless winding made watches thinner and easier to use.

Industrialisation transformed the trade: American factories such as Waltham (from 1850) and Elgin produced interchangeable parts by machine, and Swiss makers responded with their own mechanisation after the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition. By 1900 a reliable watch was affordable to millions; the finest makers continued to produce complications and precision watches.

What to look for

  • The escapement: verge (crown wheel), cylinder, duplex, English or Swiss lever.
  • Key winding (a square arbor in dial or back) or keyless crown winding.
  • Signatures and serial numbers on the movement, dial and inside case back.
  • Hallmarks, case maker's marks and gold or silver standards stamped in the case.
  • Dial material: enamel, silver, gold, later printed metal.

Dating clues

  • Verge watches dominate before c. 1800; cylinder watches c. 1770–1900; lever watches after c. 1820.
  • Keyless winding: increasingly common after c. 1860.
  • Manufacturer serial number lists exist for Waltham, Elgin, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe and others.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Verge escapementDetached lever escapementFuseeIdentification Centre

Related records