Reference:971: Difference between revisions
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The 971 is | The 971 is one of the early rectangular references in the Prince family. Its shaped case and large seconds register at six are documented in auction records from the late 1920s and 1930s. “Doctor’s watch” is later collector and trade language for the dial layout. The surviving dated examples do not establish the reference’s production limits; the larger 1490 appears more often in later catalogues. | ||
==Core facts== | ==Core facts== | ||
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| movement family | | movement family | ||
| Aegler shaped | | Aegler shaped movements with rectangular or tonneau plates; the date of the transition is not established | ||
|- | |- | ||
| movement grades | | movement grades | ||
| Prima | | Prima, Extra Prima, and Ultra Prima labels appear in catalogues; jewel counts and adjustment descriptions vary by example | ||
|- | |- | ||
| beat rate | | beat rate | ||
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==Where it sits in the line== | ==Where it sits in the line== | ||
Rolex | Rolex introduced the Prince family around 1928 as a shaped dress-watch line alongside the Oyster. The 971 is among its early references. Antiquorum’s 2010 catalogue dates case 70,064 to a 1928 hallmark, but gives conflicting office readings: the introduction says English import hallmark, while the case description says “Glasgow import stamp.” Bonhams records a separate silver 971 with a Glasgow 1929 mark: case 0329 and movement 70,668. Sotheby’s 2019 catalogue records case 71,969 and movement 7,749; it dates the watch circa 1930. Hallmarks date the assay or import of an individual case; movement numbers belong to the movement. | ||
By the early 1930s the 1490 appears as a larger flared relative, and it is more frequently represented in later catalogues. The 971 remains documented in parallel, including a 1930s Tiger Stripe example. | By the early 1930s the 1490 appears as a larger flared relative, and it is more frequently represented in later catalogues. The 971 remains documented in parallel, including a 1930s Tiger Stripe example. The surviving auction records cover individual watches; they do not give a complete production span. | ||
Rolex reused the Prince name for the Cellini Prince in 2005. That watch uses a different platform and is outside the vintage Prince range covered here. The Princess and Queen smaller spin-offs are separate ladies-line references (3361, 3362), not 971 variants. | |||
==The Brancard nickname — 971 versus 1490== | ==The Brancard nickname — 971 versus 1490== | ||
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==Sub-references — 971, 971A, 971U, 971S, Zebra, Tiger Stripe, Pink Zebra== | ==Sub-references — 971, 971A, 971U, 971S, Zebra, Tiger Stripe, Pink Zebra== | ||
Auction catalogues use several suffix and colour conventions for the 971. The usage is not uniform, so each label below is tied to the source that uses it. | Auction catalogues use several suffix and colour conventions for the 971. The usage is not uniform, so each label below is tied to the source that uses it. | ||
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971A. Auction catalogues use this suffix for some 18K yellow-and-white-gold bicolor cases, often called “Tiger Stripe.” The 2008 Antiquorum lot is a documented example. The case construction should be checked directly; the available fake-case discussions are leads for inspection, not a complete authentication rule. | 971A. Auction catalogues use this suffix for some 18K yellow-and-white-gold bicolor cases, often called “Tiger Stripe.” The 2008 Antiquorum lot is a documented example. The case construction should be checked directly; the available fake-case discussions are leads for inspection, not a complete authentication rule. | ||
971U. Catalogues use the suffix across several case materials and movement descriptions. Christie’s dates a platinum example with a numbered Observatory movement to the 1920s; its indistinct case number and unreported hallmark leave that estimate separate from the 1928 hallmark documented on another 971. Christie’s | 971U. Catalogues use the suffix across several case materials and movement descriptions. Christie’s dates a platinum example with a numbered Observatory movement to the 1920s; its indistinct case number and unreported hallmark leave that estimate separate from the 1928 hallmark documented on another 971. Christie’s records an 18K gold 971U, case 67,940, with a Glasgow import mark dated 1929, and silver examples with Glasgow marks dated 1930. Sotheby’s describes a circa-1939 971U in stainless steel and 9K yellow gold with a 15-jewel manual movement. These marks and catalogue estimates date individual watches; they do not establish what the suffix meant to Rolex or a production span. | ||
971S. Silver. Community-asserted, with the suffix appearing in a RolexForums thread title (978611). Silver examples in the auction record are typically catalogued as plain "971" without the S suffix; whether 971S is a Rolex-canon designation or a forum convention is not yet primary-confirmed. | 971S. Silver. Community-asserted, with the suffix appearing in a RolexForums thread title (978611). Silver examples in the auction record are typically catalogued as plain "971" without the S suffix; whether 971S is a Rolex-canon designation or a forum convention is not yet primary-confirmed. | ||
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Pink Zebra. Antiquorum’s 2023 lot 138 records an 18K pink-and-white-gold bicolor case, number 45,950, with German collector provenance. The source set does not establish a production count relative to yellow-gold bicolor cases. | Pink Zebra. Antiquorum’s 2023 lot 138 records an 18K pink-and-white-gold bicolor case, number 45,950, with German collector provenance. The source set does not establish a production count relative to yellow-gold bicolor cases. | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="180"> | |||
File:Ref 971 zebra-9k.webp|alt=Rolex 971 9K Zebra bicolor|9K Zebra — Antiquorum 2020 lot 235, yellow + white gold (Antiquorum convention: 9K = Zebra, 18K = Tiger Stripe) | |||
File:Ref 971 tiger-stripe.webp|alt=Rolex 971A 18K bicolor Tiger Stripe|971A 18K Tiger Stripe — Antiquorum NY 2008 lot 266 | |||
</gallery> | |||
==The case — Brancard stretcher== | ==The case — Brancard stretcher== | ||
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The flared profile is an Art-Deco case form. The case curves outward at the lug ends and back toward the centre — a stretcher-on-its-end silhouette, hence the French ''brancard''. The lugs are integrated into the case rather than soldered or spring-bar drilled, a one-piece flared structure that takes a strap on through-pins. The crystal is acrylic by the standard production period; the earliest examples sometimes carry period mineral glass. | The flared profile is an Art-Deco case form. The case curves outward at the lug ends and back toward the centre — a stretcher-on-its-end silhouette, hence the French ''brancard''. The lugs are integrated into the case rather than soldered or spring-bar drilled, a one-piece flared structure that takes a strap on through-pins. The crystal is acrylic by the standard production period; the earliest examples sometimes carry period mineral glass. | ||
The | The documented examples use a non-screw crown. Crown shape, signature, and material should be assessed against the individual case and service history; the cited records do not establish one crown configuration for every 971. | ||
The caseback | The caseback construction varies by example. Bonhams Hong Kong’s April 2023 lot 644 describes a snap back on its 1938 Tiger Stripe. | ||
==Case materials== | ==Case materials== | ||
The 971 has documented examples in several case materials, including: | The 971 has documented examples in several case materials, including: | ||
* Sterling silver | * Sterling silver: documented by several auction records. Sotheby's Important Watches Hong Kong 2019 lot 1075 (case 02,508, catalogue date c.1935) and Bonhams London September 2018 lot 37 (Glasgow 1929) are examples. | ||
* 9K yellow gold, Glasgow-assayed. | * 9K yellow gold, Glasgow-assayed. | ||
* 9K bicolor yellow + white gold ("Zebra"): documented by Antiquorum March 2020 lot 235 and Bonhams NY December 2017 lot 133. The 9K bicolor is physically distinct from the 18K Tiger Stripe. | * 9K bicolor yellow + white gold ("Zebra"): documented by Antiquorum March 2020 lot 235 and Bonhams NY December 2017 lot 133. The 9K bicolor is physically distinct from the 18K Tiger Stripe. | ||
* | * Eaton 1/4 Century Club presentation, case 1,472: Monaco Legend’s title and description call it stainless steel and 14K yellow gold; the structured material field says yellow and white gold. The dial is signed for the club, and the caseback records T.D. Switzer’s 25 years of service, 1907–1932. | ||
* 18K yellow gold: Antiquorum 2008 Geneva lot 690 (Observatory 15j). | * 18K yellow gold: Antiquorum 2008 Geneva lot 690 (Observatory 15j). | ||
* 18K yellow + white gold ("Tiger Stripe" / 971A): a documented bicolor variant, with auction examples spanning Glasgow 1929 through case 68,591 in 1938. | * 18K yellow + white gold ("Tiger Stripe" / 971A): a documented bicolor variant, with auction examples spanning Glasgow 1929 through case 68,591 in 1938. | ||
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* Stainless steel: less common in the cited auction record. Antiquorum November 2024 lot 462 (case 74,768 with original box and rate certificate) is a documented example; RolexMagazine references a 1934 all-steel Brancard without specifically tagging it 971S. | * Stainless steel: less common in the cited auction record. Antiquorum November 2024 lot 462 (case 74,768 with original box and rate certificate) is a documented example; RolexMagazine references a 1934 all-steel Brancard without specifically tagging it 971S. | ||
* Platinum: documented examples include Phillips cases 6,047 and 6,013 and Antiquorum case 6,077. These are individual lots, not a complete platinum population. | * Platinum: documented examples include Phillips cases 6,047 and 6,013 and Antiquorum case 6,077. These are individual lots, not a complete platinum population. | ||
[[File:Ref 971 eaton.webp|thumb|right|250px|alt=Rolex 971 Eaton 1/4 Century Club Switzer 1907-1932|Eaton 1/4 Century Club presentation: T.D. Switzer 1907–1932 service dedication]] | |||
==The movement== | ==The movement== | ||
The 971 uses an Aegler shaped movement based on the 1927 Wilsdorf–Aegler patent for a movement with a separate seconds dial. The barrel and balance occupy opposite ends of the plate. Aegler was the movement maker in Bienne; the historical ownership relationship changed later, but that modern corporate history does not date an individual 971. | The 971 uses an Aegler shaped movement based on the 1927 Wilsdorf–Aegler patent for a movement with a separate seconds dial. The barrel and balance occupy opposite ends of the plate. Aegler was the movement maker in Bienne; the historical ownership relationship changed later, but that modern corporate history does not date an individual 971. | ||
Auction records for the Prince family include rectangular and tonneau-shaped Aegler movements. Movement labels and exact transition dates are not consistent across sources: | |||
* Cal. 300 | * Cal. 300 — Phillips Geneva V lot 212 describes a platinum 971, case 6,013, with a 7½′′′, 18-jewel Cal. 300 movement, catalogued circa 1935. | ||
* Cal. 360 HW — tonneau | * Cal. 360 HW — the 2013 NAWCC discussion distinguishes this tonneau plate shape from the rectangular Prince movement. It does not establish Cal. 360 fitment in the 971. The available 971 records do not establish a reference-specific transition date. | ||
Auction and movement references describe Prima, Extra Prima, and Ultra Prima grades with different jewel and adjustment specifications. “Chronometer” and “Observatory” markings occur on higher-grade examples, but the dial wording should be checked against the movement certificate and movement itself. The auction record does not prove that every platinum case was reserved for a particular grade. | Auction and movement references describe Prima, Extra Prima, and Ultra Prima grades with different jewel and adjustment specifications. “Chronometer” and “Observatory” markings occur on higher-grade examples, but the dial wording should be checked against the movement certificate and movement itself. The auction record does not prove that every platinum case was reserved for a particular grade. | ||
A specialist repair source describes a replacement winding-stem bridge for the Cal. 300. That source documents a repair option; it does not establish how often the bridge fails. | |||
[[File:Ref 971 platinum.webp|thumb|right|250px|alt=Rolex 971 platinum Phillips case 6013 black dial 1935|Platinum 971, case 6,013, Cal. 300 7½′′′ 18-jewel, black dial, c.1935, Phillips Geneva V]] | |||
==Dial — the duo-dial and the doctor's watch== | ==Dial — the duo-dial and the doctor's watch== | ||
The 971 dial | The 971 dial places the hours and minutes above a large seconds register at six. Later collector and trade writing calls this the “doctor’s watch” layout. The Vintage Rolex Field Manual describes the register as a convenient aid for measuring a pulse. That is the extent of the medical use supported by the source. | ||
Dial signatures and configurations documented on surfaced 971 examples: | Dial signatures and configurations documented on surfaced 971 examples: | ||
* Silvered duo-dial with Arabic numerals: | * Silvered duo-dial with Arabic numerals: documented in several catalogue examples. | ||
* Silvered duo-dial with Roman numerals: period dress variant. | * Silvered duo-dial with Roman numerals: period dress variant. | ||
* Two-tone sector duo-dial: typical 1930s Art-Deco geometric dial. | * Two-tone sector duo-dial: typical 1930s Art-Deco geometric dial. | ||
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* "Eaton 1/4 Century Club" retailer signature: the Switzer 1907–1932 example replaces the usual Rolex dial signature with Eaton's text. Later Eaton presentations used ref. 1490. | * "Eaton 1/4 Century Club" retailer signature: the Switzer 1907–1932 example replaces the usual Rolex dial signature with Eaton's text. Later Eaton presentations used ref. 1490. | ||
Catalogue photographs show leaf, dauphine, pencil, and Breguet-style hands. The surviving examples do not establish which style was most common. Hand originality and refinishing should be assessed watch by watch. | |||
Age-related foxing and refinished dials both occur in the surviving record. A clean dial is not proof of refinishing; originality requires comparison of print, finish, hands, movement, and case history. | Age-related foxing and refinished dials both occur in the surviving record. A clean dial is not proof of refinishing; originality requires comparison of print, finish, hands, movement, and case history. | ||
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Checks on a 971 should cover the movement, case construction and hallmarks: | Checks on a 971 should cover the movement, case construction and hallmarks: | ||
# | # Movement identity and plate shape. Compare the movement with documented Aegler examples and record its markings. A different maker’s movement would need explanation and provenance; the cited evidence does not establish a reference-wide transplant rule. A Gruen-signed movement also needs case-specific review because Aegler supplied both Rolex and Gruen. | ||
# 971A Tiger Stripe alternating-metal ridges. Genuine Tiger Stripe is two physical pieces of gold (yellow + white) separated by raised ridges. Modern fakes engrave a single gold case and rhodium-plate the recessed bands. A Tiger Stripe whose stripes are visibly ''recessed'' rather than separated by ridges is suspicious; a side-light examination reveals the difference quickly. The watch-guy.com and VRF documentation of 971A fakes is consistent on this point. | # 971A Tiger Stripe alternating-metal ridges. Genuine Tiger Stripe is two physical pieces of gold (yellow + white) separated by raised ridges. Modern fakes engrave a single gold case and rhodium-plate the recessed bands. A Tiger Stripe whose stripes are visibly ''recessed'' rather than separated by ridges is suspicious; a side-light examination reveals the difference quickly. The watch-guy.com and VRF documentation of 971A fakes is consistent on this point. | ||
# | # Assay marks date the case’s assay or import, not movement assembly. Check the office and date letter against the full mark. Antiquorum’s 2010 description of case 70,064 gives conflicting office readings: “English” in its opening text and “Glasgow” in the detailed case description. The Bonhams 2018 catalogue identifies Glasgow 1929 on case 0329; it lists movement 70,668 separately. | ||
# | # Bridge details. Compare any capped endstone or other unusual bridge feature with a documented example. One surviving detail does not establish that a watch is untouched. | ||
# Crown | # Crown. Check the crown’s form, signature, and fit against case photographs and service records. A material mismatch alone does not date or identify a replacement. | ||
# Caseback engraving style. Period-correct 971 casebacks are factory-stamped. Hand-engraved markings indicate post-factory work — except for legitimate retailer-presentation engravings on Eaton 1/4 Century Club and similar retailer-program watches, which sit alongside the factory stamping rather than replacing it. | # Caseback engraving style. Period-correct 971 casebacks are factory-stamped. Hand-engraved markings indicate post-factory work — except for legitimate retailer-presentation engravings on Eaton 1/4 Century Club and similar retailer-program watches, which sit alongside the factory stamping rather than replacing it. | ||
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! venue | ! venue | ||
! configuration | ! configuration | ||
! | ! result | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1994 | | 1994 | ||
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| 2008 | | 2008 | ||
| Antiquorum NY | | Antiquorum NY | ||
| | | Tiger Stripe 971A, 18K bicolor, c.1930 | ||
| USD 14,400 | | USD 14,400 | ||
|- | |- | ||
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| Antiquorum NY | | Antiquorum NY | ||
| Sterling, English hallmark 1928 (Arman) | | Sterling, English hallmark 1928 (Arman) | ||
| | | no result shown | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2013 | | 2013 | ||
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| 2021 | | 2021 | ||
| Phillips Geneva XIV | | Phillips Geneva XIV | ||
| Platinum, case 6,013 ( | | Platinum, case 6,013 (relisted) | ||
| CHF 55,440 | | CHF 55,440 | ||
|- | |- | ||
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|} | |} | ||
Phillips catalogued case 6,013 in 2017, 2019, and 2021; the 2019 appearance was a relisting, not a third sale. Phillips records sales in 2017 and 2021, the latter for CHF 55,440. Cases 6,047 and 6,077 are separate platinum examples; the auction record documents at least three platinum 971 cases. Antiquorum’s 2013 catalogue called its case 6,077 the fourth platinum 971 sold through that auction house by then. That count describes Antiquorum’s sales, not total production. | |||
The auction table contains separate results in different currencies, years, materials, and conditions. Repeated sales of platinum case 6,013 are useful provenance and market observations, but they do not establish a general price trend or a price band for every 971. | The auction table contains separate results in different currencies, years, materials, and conditions. Repeated sales of platinum case 6,013 are useful provenance and market observations, but they do not establish a general price trend or a price band for every 971. | ||
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== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
* [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-5257604 "Rolex Prince ref. 971U, case 67,940, Glasgow import mark dated 1929", Christie’s] | |||
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/important-watches-online/prince-reference-971u-a-stainless-steel-and-yellow "Prince, Reference 971U", Sotheby's, 2022, lot 619] | * [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/important-watches-online/prince-reference-971u-a-stainless-steel-and-yellow "Prince, Reference 971U", Sotheby's, 2022, lot 619] | ||
* [https://www.rolex.com/en-gr/about-rolex/history/1926-1945 Rolex history, 1926–1945] — official early Rolex history context | * [https://www.rolex.com/en-gr/about-rolex/history/1926-1945 Rolex history, 1926–1945] — official early Rolex history context | ||
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* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2019/important-watches/rolex-ref-971-prince-brancard-a-silver-rectangular "Rolex Prince Brancard Reference 971 Silver", Sotheby's, 2019] | * [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2019/important-watches/rolex-ref-971-prince-brancard-a-silver-rectangular "Rolex Prince Brancard Reference 971 Silver", Sotheby's, 2019] | ||
* [https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24629/lot/37/ "Rolex Prince Reference 971 Silver Glasgow 1929", Bonhams, 2018-09-11] | * [https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24629/lot/37/ "Rolex Prince Reference 971 Silver Glasgow 1929", Bonhams, 2018-09-11] | ||
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2019/watches-online-7/rolex-prince-reference-971-a-silver-wristwatch "Rolex Prince Reference 971 Silver", Sotheby’s, 2019; case 71,969, movement 7,749, circa 1930] | |||
* [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/24500/lot/133/ "Rolex Prince Reference 971A 9K White and Yellow Gold", Bonhams, 2017-12-04] | * [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/24500/lot/133/ "Rolex Prince Reference 971A 9K White and Yellow Gold", Bonhams, 2017-12-04] | ||
* [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/28684/lot/644/ "Rolex Prince Reference 971A 18K Two-Tone Tiger Stripe", Bonhams, 2023-04] | * [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/28684/lot/644/ "Rolex Prince Reference 971A 18K Two-Tone Tiger Stripe", Bonhams, 2023-04] | ||
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* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-103-97 "Rolex Prince Tiger Stripe 971A 18K Glasgow 1929", Antiquorum, 2005-11-13] | * [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-103-97 "Rolex Prince Tiger Stripe 971A 18K Glasgow 1929", Antiquorum, 2005-11-13] | ||
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-144-316 "Rolex Prince Tiger Stripe 971 Case 65377", Antiquorum, 2006-11-12] | * [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-144-316 "Rolex Prince Tiger Stripe 971 Case 65377", Antiquorum, 2006-11-12] | ||
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-207-266 "Rolex Prince Tiger Stripe 971A | * [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-207-266 "Rolex Prince Tiger Stripe 971A", Antiquorum, 2008-06-18] | ||
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-226-401 "Rolex Prince 971 Sterling Silver — Arman Collection, English Hallmark 1928", Antiquorum, 2010-03-10] | * [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-226-401 "Rolex Prince 971 Sterling Silver — Arman Collection, English Hallmark 1928", Antiquorum, 2010-03-10] | ||
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-971-lot-272-100 "Rolex Prince 971 Platinum", Antiquorum, 2013-05-12] | * [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-971-lot-272-100 "Rolex Prince 971 Platinum", Antiquorum, 2013-05-12] | ||