Admin: Tighten ref. 1768 prose and keep catalogue caveats lot-specific

2026-10-07T03:53:21Z

Tighten ref. 1768 prose and keep catalogue caveats lot-specific

Admin: Publish researched Rolex Prince ref. 1768 article

2026-10-07T03:49:39Z

Publish researched Rolex Prince ref. 1768 article

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|title=Rolex Prince 1768 (Railway) — Reference guide | Rolexopedia
|description=Auction-grounded guide to Rolex Prince ref. 1768: case, dial, movement labels, dated examples and documented uncertainties.
|keywords=Rolex 1768, Rolex Prince, Prince Railway, Extra Prima, T.S. 300, vintage Rolex
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|image_alt=Steel Rolex Prince ref. 1768, case 010353, with stepped rectangular case and split-register dial
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Prince 1768 (Railway)}}

<small>[[Reference:prince|Prince]] → '''1768'''</small>

<div class="rp-lead">
[[File:Ref 1768 hero.webp|thumb|center|640px|alt=Steel Rolex Prince ref. 1768, case 010353, with stepped rectangular case and split-register dial|Case 010353. Photo: Antiquorum, Hong Kong, lot 47 (2023).]]
</div>

Ref. 1768 is a rectangular Prince with stepped sides and separate time and seconds registers. Auction catalogues have called it “Railway” since at least 1989. Auction catalogues date examples from circa 1927 to 1938. The later dates may refer to one watch listed twice; these records do not establish production limits.

==Core facts==

{| class="wikitable rp-facts"
|-
! Detail
! Documented information
|-
| Reference and family
| Auction catalogues identify ref. 1768 as a Rolex Prince. Antiquorum used “Railway” in a 1989 auction title. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-181-11 Antiquorum, 1989] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4021676 Christie's, lot 322]
|-
| Date evidence
| Rossini dates case 01028 to circa 1927. Antiquorum listed case 019784 as made in 1938; Uhren-Muser later catalogued a closely similar watch and box as case 019794, circa 1930. Their photographs suggest a possible repeat listing; the case-number discrepancy leaves the match uncertain. [https://www.aguttes.com/lot/montres-de-collection-69808257-ca1b-404b-ba18-d421d9badcaf/rolex-64c89c55-4320-40cc-84b9-bd7f8554c1ca Aguttes] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4021676 Christie's] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-lot-307-118 Antiquorum, 2017] [https://uhren-muser.de/en/archives/108/57379 Uhren-Muser, 2023] [https://www.rossini.fr/lot/131847/19633433 Rossini, 2022]
|-
| Case
| The records describe steel, 14K gold, and steel with rose- or pink-gold components. Aguttes uses “rolesium”; Antiquorum’s 2023 caseback is stamped “Rolesium Registered Inalterable.” Each description applies to its own watch; the catalogue terms do not establish one alloy across the reference. [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5674614 Christie's, group lot] [https://www.pandolfini.it/uploads/auctions/20141125.pdf Pandolfini, 2014] [https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/index.php/auction/exclusive-timepieces-15/lot-119 Monaco Legend] [https://www.cannesauction.com/en-lots/64330 Cannes Auction, 2023] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-prince-lot-361-47 Antiquorum, 2023]
|-
| Dimensions
| Listings give lengths of 35–42 mm and widths of 20–21 mm; dimensions come from separate cases and may use different conventions. [https://www.aguttes.com/lot/montres-de-collection-69808257-ca1b-404b-ba18-d421d9badcaf/rolex-64c89c55-4320-40cc-84b9-bd7f8554c1ca Aguttes] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-lot-307-118 Antiquorum, 2017] [https://www.kaplans.se/en/auktioner/3448/vara/1474228 Kaplans]
|-
| Movement
| The auction records describe manual winding and use several movement labels and jewel counts. The lot-by-lot notes keep each designation attached to its example; a reference-wide numbered caliber is not established.
|-
| Strap and accessories
| Auction photographs show leather straps. Antiquorum’s 2017 lot includes a fitted box and timing certificate; Muser’s 2023 lot shows a similar box with a watch listed under a case number differing by one digit. The listings may show the same set, but original delivery is unproven. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-lot-307-118 Antiquorum, 2017]
|}

==Where it sits in the line==

Ref. 1768 belongs to the rectangular Prince group, alongside references such as [[Reference:1527|1527]]. Its stepped case and split register dial place it among the longer, vertically oriented Princes. The 1527 also appears under the “Railway” name in later catalogues; the shared label is collector and auction usage, not evidence that the two references are the same watch.

==Production outline==

Rossini dates case 01028 to circa 1927; Aguttes dates case 010271 to circa 1930; Kaplans gives approximately 1930 for case 010345; Christie's dates its example to circa 1936; and Antiquorum calls case 019784 a 1938 watch. The 1938 entry may repeat the circa 1930 watch later catalogued by Muser. Ref. 1768’s production boundaries remain unknown. [https://www.aguttes.com/lot/montres-de-collection-69808257-ca1b-404b-ba18-d421d9badcaf/rolex-64c89c55-4320-40cc-84b9-bd7f8554c1ca Aguttes] [https://www.kaplans.se/en/auktioner/3448/vara/1474228 Kaplans] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4021676 Christie's] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-lot-307-118 Antiquorum, 2017] [https://www.rossini.fr/lot/131847/19633433 Rossini, 2022] [https://www.pandolfini.it/uploads/auctions/20141125.pdf Pandolfini, 2014]

Published case numbers include 01028, 010271, 010345, 010353, 12'672, 019784/019794, 9906, and 14069. The available records do not establish a serial sequence. Antiquorum assigned 1938 to case 019784; Muser gave circa 1930 for case 019794. The similar dial and box photographs suggest one watch may have been listed twice, though the case numbers differ. [https://www.rossini.fr/lot/131847/19633433 Rossini, 2022] [https://www.aguttes.com/lot/montres-de-collection-69808257-ca1b-404b-ba18-d421d9badcaf/rolex-64c89c55-4320-40cc-84b9-bd7f8554c1ca Aguttes] [https://www.kaplans.se/en/auktioner/3448/vara/1474228 Kaplans] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-prince-lot-361-47 Antiquorum, 2023] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-lot-307-118 Antiquorum, 2017] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5674614 Christie's] [https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/index.php/auction/exclusive-timepieces-15/lot-119 Monaco Legend] [https://www.pandolfini.it/uploads/auctions/20141125.pdf Pandolfini, 2014]

==Movement notes==

The auction records use several movement labels and jewel counts. The descriptions below stay with their individual lots.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sale record
! Catalogue movement description
|-
| Antiquorum, 1989, case number not given
| 7-line Extra Prima, 17 jewels, lateral lever escapement; Superbalance adjusted to six positions. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-181-11 Lot 11]
|-
| Christie's, lot 322, circa 1936
| Nickel-finished Ultra Prima lever movement, 15 jewels, bimetallic compensation balance. [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4021676 Lot 322]
|-
| Kaplans, case 010345, circa 1930
| Catalogue assigns “Cal. 952”; its listing does not establish that label for other 1768s. [https://www.kaplans.se/en/auktioner/3448/vara/1474228]
|-
| Aguttes, case 010271, circa 1930
| Extra Prima, 15 jewels, adjusted to six positions; movement number 75524. [https://www.aguttes.com/lot/montres-de-collection-69808257-ca1b-404b-ba18-d421d9badcaf/rolex-64c89c55-4320-40cc-84b9-bd7f8554c1ca]
|-
| Antiquorum, case 019784, dated 1938
| 7½-line T.S. 300, Observatory Quality, 15 jewels, lateral lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to six positions. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-lot-307-118]
|-
| Uhren-Muser, case 019794, circa 1930
| The photographed Extra Prima movement is marked “17 Rubies.” Its dial and box photographs resemble Antiquorum’s case 019784 listing; the match is uncertain. [https://uhren-muser.de/en/archives/108/57379]
|}

The 2017 Antiquorum listing gives 15 jewels but has no movement photograph. Muser’s 2023 photograph shows 17 Rubies on a movement in case 019794. That watch may be Antiquorum’s case 019784, whose similar dial and box appear in the 2017 photograph; if so, the catalogues disagree on both the case number and jewel count. The Movements guide separately documents a T.S. 300 marked 18 Rubies. Keep each count with its specific photograph or catalogue entry. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-lot-307-118 Antiquorum, 2017] [https://uhren-muser.de/en/archives/108/57379 Uhren-Muser, 2023]

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref 1768 movement.webp|Movement in case 010353. Photo: Antiquorum, 2023, lot 47.
File:Ref 1768 movement Muser.webp|Extra Prima movement in case 019794; marked “17 Rubies.” Photo: Uhren-Muser, 2023, lot 266.
</gallery>

==Dial map==

The examples share a split-register layout, with differences in dial color and printing. Antiquorum's 1989 example has a two-tone silver dial with Arabic numerals and a separate seconds register. Christie's records a two-tone silvered dial with Arabic and baton numerals. Monaco Legend describes a pink two-tone dial, while its case is listed as steel and pink gold. Cannes Auction’s circa 1937 photograph shows another two-tone dial, with alternating baton and Arabic markers on the upper register. The records show dial variation but give no production sequence. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-181-11 Antiquorum, 1989] [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4021676 Christie's] [https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/index.php/auction/exclusive-timepieces-15/lot-119 Monaco Legend] [https://www.cannesauction.com/en-lots/64330 Cannes Auction, 2023]

[[File:Ref 1768 dial Cannes.webp|thumb|right|220px|alt=Rolex Prince ref. 1768 with two-tone dial, Arabic and baton markers, and subsidiary seconds|Cannes Auction’s circa 1937 example, lot 135 (2023).]]

==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes==

The documented cases are rectangular, with stepped sides. Christie's describes a curved snap-on back and triple-stepped sides; Antiquorum's 2017 example has straight lugs. Kaplans records fixed bar lugs on case 010345. These are individual case details, not a complete construction map. [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4021676 Christie's] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-lot-307-118 Antiquorum, 2017] [https://www.kaplans.se/en/auktioner/3448/vara/1474228 Kaplans]

Kaplans lists a plastic crystal on case 010345. Cannes Auction describes Plexiglas and an unmarked steel crown on its circa 1937 lot. These are lot-specific details. [https://www.kaplans.se/en/auktioner/3448/vara/1474228 Kaplans]

[[File:Ref 1768 caseback.webp|thumb|right|220px|alt=Rolex Prince ref. 1768 caseback marked Rolesium Registered Inalterable|The 2023 Antiquorum caseback is stamped “Rolesium Registered Inalterable.” Photo: Antiquorum, lot 47.]]

==Bracelets, end links, clasps, and packaging notes==

Auction photographs show leather straps; the listings provide no bracelet fitment. Antiquorum’s 2017 and Muser’s 2023 listings show a fitted box with watches catalogued as cases 019784 and 019794. The box styles look alike, though the case numbers differ. Neither listing proves original delivery. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-lot-307-118 Antiquorum, 2017]

[[File:Ref 1768 historical-example.webp|thumb|right|220px|alt=Rolex Prince ref. 1768 case 019784 shown with a fitted box and timing papers|Case 019784 with its fitted box and papers in Antiquorum's 2017 listing. The catalogue describes the papers as a Rolex timing certificate.]]

==Special branches==

The records include steel, gold, and mixed-metal cases, but the terminology varies. Christie's describes a 14K gold case for case 9906; Pandolfini records steel and rose gold for case 12'672; Monaco Legend lists steel and pink gold for case 14069; other catalogues use “rolesium” for cases 010271 and 010353. The latter's back is visibly stamped Rolesium. These records do not establish one standard alloy or a material sequence. [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5674614 Christie's, group lot] [https://www.pandolfini.it/uploads/auctions/20141125.pdf Pandolfini, 2014] [https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/index.php/auction/exclusive-timepieces-15/lot-119 Monaco Legend] [https://www.aguttes.com/lot/montres-de-collection-69808257-ca1b-404b-ba18-d421d9badcaf/rolex-64c89c55-4320-40cc-84b9-bd7f8554c1ca Aguttes] [https://www.rossini.fr/lot/131847/19633433 Rossini, 2022] [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-prince-lot-361-47 Antiquorum, 2023]

==Historical market and auction record==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sale
! Case and catalogue details
|-
| [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-181-11 Antiquorum Geneva, 15 October 1989, lot 11]
| 1930s; steel; 20 x 35 mm; 7-line Extra Prima, 17 jewels; sold CHF 8,050.
|-
| [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4021676 Christie's, Live Auction 1128, lot 322]
| Circa 1936; steel; 42 mm long; 15-jewel Ultra Prima.
|-
| [https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/index.php/auction/exclusive-timepieces-15/lot-119 Monaco Legend, 7 December 2019, lot 119]
| Case 14069; steel and pink gold; 21 x 42 mm; pink two-tone dial; passed.
|-
| [https://www.kaplans.se/en/auktioner/3448/vara/1474228 Kaplans, Watches 59, 1 September 2018]
| Case 010345; approximately 1930; two-colour case; fixed bar lugs; catalogue assigns Cal. 952.
|-
| [https://www.aguttes.com/lot/montres-de-collection-69808257-ca1b-404b-ba18-d421d9badcaf/rolex-64c89c55-4320-40cc-84b9-bd7f8554c1ca Aguttes, lot 12]
| Case 010271; circa 1930; “rolesium”; 15-jewel Extra Prima; sold €3,990.
|-
| [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-lot-307-118 Antiquorum Geneva, 14 May 2017, lot 118]
| Case 019784; catalogued as made in 1938; 7½-line T.S. 300, 15 jewels; sold CHF 5,000.
|-
| [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-prince-lot-361-47 Antiquorum Hong Kong, 13 June 2023, lot 47]
| Case 010353; circa 1930s; steel; 20 x 42 mm; 7½-line manual movement.
|-
| [https://www.rossini.fr/lot/131847/19633433 Rossini, 16 November 2022, lot 346]
| Case 01028; circa 1927; “Rolésium”; 20 x 42 mm; Extra Prima movement no. 74822.
|-
| [https://www.pandolfini.it/uploads/auctions/20141125.pdf Pandolfini, 25 November 2014, lot 406]
| Case 12'672; 1930s; steel and rose gold; 36 x 20 mm; manual movement.
|-
| [https://www.cannesauction.com/en-lots/64330 Besch Cannes Auction, 31 December 2023, lot 135]
| Circa 1937; steel; 21 x 42 mm; Plexiglas; unmarked crown; SAR-stamped inner case; serviced 30 October 2023. Catalogue does not publish a readable case number.
|}

These lots document individual watches. Muser’s case 019794 may repeat Antiquorum’s case 019784; the different case numbers leave that identity uncertain. Auction estimates and results do not establish production totals or reference-wide specifications.

==Gallery==

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref 1768 hero.webp|Case 010353, steel Prince with split-register dial. Photo: Antiquorum, 2023, lot 47.
File:Ref 1768 movement.webp|Movement in case 010353. Photo: Antiquorum, 2023, lot 47.
File:Ref 1768 movement Muser.webp|Extra Prima movement in case 019794, marked “17 Rubies.” Photo: Uhren-Muser, 2023, lot 266.
File:Ref 1768 caseback.webp|Caseback marked “Rolesium Registered Inalterable,” case 010353. Photo: Antiquorum, 2023, lot 47.
File:Ref 1768 historical-example.webp|Case listed as 019784 with its box and papers. Photo: Antiquorum, 2017, lot 118.
</gallery>

== Sources ==

* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-181-11 Antiquorum, "Antiquorum Geneva, 15 October 1989, lot 11 — Prince Railway ref. 1768", Antiquorum, 1989-10-15]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4021676 Christie's, "Christie's Live Auction 1128, lot 322 — Rolex Prince ref. 1768", Christie's, 2002]
* [https://www.kaplans.se/en/auktioner/3448/vara/1474228 Kaplans Auktioner, "Kaplans Watches auction 59, 1 September 2018 — Rolex ref. 1768, case 010345", Kaplans Auktioner, 2018-09-01]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-lot-307-118 Antiquorum, "Antiquorum Geneva, 14 May 2017, lot 118 — Prince Railway ref. 1768, case 019784", Antiquorum, 2017-05-14]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-1768-prince-lot-361-47 Antiquorum, "Antiquorum Hong Kong, 13 June 2023, lot 47 — Prince ref. 1768, case 010353", Antiquorum, 2023-06-13]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5674614 Christie's, "Christie's lot 5674614 — group lot including gold Prince ref. 1768, case 9906", Christie's, 2014]
* [https://www.aguttes.com/lot/montres-de-collection-69808257-ca1b-404b-ba18-d421d9badcaf/rolex-64c89c55-4320-40cc-84b9-bd7f8554c1ca Aguttes, "Aguttes lot 12 — Rolex Prince ref. 1768, case 010271", Aguttes, 2024]
* [https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/index.php/auction/exclusive-timepieces-15/lot-119 Monaco Legend Auctions, "Monaco Legend Auctions, 7 December 2019, lot 119 — Prince Railway ref. 1768", Monaco Legend Auctions, 2019-12-07]
* [https://uhren-muser.de/en/archives/108/57379 Uhren-Muser, "Uhren-Muser, 108th auction, 20 May 2023, lot 266 — Rolex Prince ref. 1768, case 019794", Uhren-Muser / Auktionen Dr. Crott, 2023-05-20]
* [https://www.rossini.fr/lot/131847/19633433 Rossini Casa d'Aste, "Rossini, Watches & Silverware, 16 November 2022, lot 346 — Rolex Prince ref. 1768, case 01028", Rossini Casa d'Aste, 2022-11-16]
* [https://www.pandolfini.it/uploads/auctions/20141125.pdf Pandolfini Casa d'Aste, "Pandolfini, 25 November 2014, lot 406 — Rolex Prince ref. 1768, case 12'672", Pandolfini Casa d'Aste, 2014-11-25]
* [https://www.cannesauction.com/en-lots/64330 Besch Cannes Auction, "Besch Cannes Auction, 31 December 2023, lot 135 — Rolex Prince ref. 1768", Besch Cannes Auction, 2023-12-31]

[[Category:Prince]]

Reference:1768 - Revision history

Admin: Tighten ref. 1768 prose and keep catalogue caveats lot-specific

Admin: Publish researched Rolex Prince ref. 1768 article