Reference:1768: Difference between revisions
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Ref. 1768 is a rectangular Prince with stepped sides and separate time and seconds registers. Auction catalogues | Ref. 1768 is a rectangular Prince with stepped sides and separate time and seconds registers. Auction catalogues called it “Railway” in 1989 and date examples from circa 1927 to 1938. Antiquorum’s 1938 case may be the watch Uhren-Muser later dated circa 1930; those dates belong to individual catalogue entries. | ||
==Core facts== | ==Core facts== | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| Date evidence | | 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. | | 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. The dial and box photographs look alike. Since the case numbers differ, a repeat listing remains possible but unconfirmed. [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 | | Case | ||
| | | Auction catalogues describe steel, 14K gold, and steel with rose- or pink-gold components. Aguttes uses “rolesium”; Antiquorum’s 2023 caseback is stamped “Rolesium Registered Inalterable.” The material labels belong to their individual lots. [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 | | Dimensions | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| Movement | | Movement | ||
| | | Auction catalogues describe manual winding and use several movement labels and jewel counts; the notes below keep each designation beside its sale lot. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Strap and accessories | | Strap and accessories | ||
| Auction photographs show leather straps. | | Auction photographs show leather straps. Antiquorum's 2017 and Muser's 2023 lots pair fitted boxes with watches numbered 019784 and 019794; the box styles look alike. Their catalogues describe the sale sets, while original delivery remains unverified. [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] | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Where it sits in the line== | ==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. | 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. Later catalogues also call the 1527 “Railway”; the name appears on both references as auction terminology. | ||
==Production outline== | ==Production outline== | ||
Rossini dates case 01028 to circa 1927; Aguttes | Rossini dates case 01028 to circa 1927; Aguttes and Kaplans place examples around 1930; Christie's dates its example to circa 1936; Antiquorum dates case 019784 to 1938. Similar dial and box photographs leave open whether Muser's circa-1930 case 019794 is the same watch Antiquorum dated to 1938. Treat these as catalogue dates for individual examples; the production endpoints remain unknown. [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://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.pandolfini.it/uploads/auctions/20141125.pdf Pandolfini, 2014] | ||
Published case numbers include 01028, 010271, 010345, 010353, 12'672, 019784/019794, 9906, and 14069. | Published case numbers include 01028, 010271, 010345, 010353, 12'672, 019784/019794, 9906, and 14069. Each comes from an individual sale catalogue; the listed dates do not form a documented serial chronology. Antiquorum dates case 019784 to 1938 and Muser dates case 019794 to circa 1930. Their similar dial and box photographs make a repeat listing plausible, although 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== | ==Movement notes== | ||
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|} | |} | ||
Antiquorum’s 2017 listing assigns 15 jewels to case 019784 and has no movement photograph. Muser’s 2023 photo of case 019794 shows 17 Rubies. The dial and box resemble Antiquorum’s images, making a repeat listing plausible; if it is the same watch, the catalogues differ on its case number and jewel count. The Movements guide also illustrates a T.S. 300 marked 18 Rubies. Each count belongs with the example that reports or shows it. [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"> | <gallery mode="packed" heights="180"> | ||
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==Dial map== | ==Dial map== | ||
The examples | The auction examples use a split-register layout, with differences in dial color and printing. Antiquorum's 1989 lot has a two-tone silver dial with Arabic numerals and subsidiary seconds. Christie's describes a two-tone silvered dial with Arabic and baton numerals. Monaco Legend lists a pink two-tone dial in a steel and pink-gold case. Cannes Auction's circa-1937 photograph shows alternating baton and Arabic markers on the upper register. These catalogue images document dial variants; their dates do not order them. [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).]] | [[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).]] | ||
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==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes== | ==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes== | ||
The | The auction catalogues describe rectangular cases with stepped sides. Christie's notes a curved snap-on back and triple-stepped sides; Antiquorum's 2017 lot shows straight lugs, while Kaplans describes fixed bar lugs on case 010345. The details vary among the listed examples. [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] | 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] | ||
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==Bracelets, end links, clasps, and packaging notes== | ==Bracelets, end links, clasps, and packaging notes== | ||
Auction photographs show leather straps | Auction photographs show leather straps, and the catalogues give no bracelet fitment. Antiquorum’s 2017 and Muser’s 2023 listings show fitted boxes with watches numbered 019784 and 019794. The boxes look alike; whether either was delivered with its watch remains uncertain. [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.]] | [[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.]] | ||
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==Special branches== | ==Special branches== | ||
The | The sale examples span steel, 14K gold, and mixed-metal cases. Christie's describes 14K gold for case 9906; Pandolfini says steel and rose gold for case 12'672; Monaco Legend says steel and pink gold for case 14069. Aguttes uses “rolesium” for case 010271, while Antiquorum's case 010353 is stamped “Rolesium Registered Inalterable.” The material descriptions vary by lot. [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== | ==Historical market and auction record== | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| [https://www.cannesauction.com/en-lots/64330 Besch Cannes Auction, 31 December 2023, lot 135] | | [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. | | Circa 1937; steel; 21 x 42 mm; Plexiglas; unmarked crown; SAR-stamped inner case; serviced 30 October 2023. The listing provides no legible case number. | ||
|} | |} | ||
Each row describes an individual sale example. Muser’s case 019794 may repeat Antiquorum’s case 019784; the similar watch-and-box photographs support the possibility, while the one-digit difference leaves the match uncertain. | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
Latest revision as of 03:53, 7 October 2026
Prince → 1768
Ref. 1768 is a rectangular Prince with stepped sides and separate time and seconds registers. Auction catalogues called it “Railway” in 1989 and date examples from circa 1927 to 1938. Antiquorum’s 1938 case may be the watch Uhren-Muser later dated circa 1930; those dates belong to individual catalogue entries.
Core facts
| Detail | Documented information |
|---|---|
| Reference and family | Auction catalogues identify ref. 1768 as a Rolex Prince. Antiquorum used “Railway” in a 1989 auction title. Antiquorum, 1989 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. The dial and box photographs look alike. Since the case numbers differ, a repeat listing remains possible but unconfirmed. Aguttes Christie's Antiquorum, 2017 Uhren-Muser, 2023 Rossini, 2022 |
| Case | Auction catalogues describe steel, 14K gold, and steel with rose- or pink-gold components. Aguttes uses “rolesium”; Antiquorum’s 2023 caseback is stamped “Rolesium Registered Inalterable.” The material labels belong to their individual lots. Christie's, group lot Pandolfini, 2014 Monaco Legend Cannes Auction, 2023 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. Aguttes Antiquorum, 2017 Kaplans |
| Movement | Auction catalogues describe manual winding and use several movement labels and jewel counts; the notes below keep each designation beside its sale lot. |
| Strap and accessories | Auction photographs show leather straps. Antiquorum's 2017 and Muser's 2023 lots pair fitted boxes with watches numbered 019784 and 019794; the box styles look alike. Their catalogues describe the sale sets, while original delivery remains unverified. Antiquorum, 2017 Uhren-Muser, 2023 |
Where it sits in the line
Ref. 1768 belongs to the rectangular Prince group, alongside references such as 1527. Its stepped case and split-register dial place it among the longer, vertically oriented Princes. Later catalogues also call the 1527 “Railway”; the name appears on both references as auction terminology.
Production outline
Rossini dates case 01028 to circa 1927; Aguttes and Kaplans place examples around 1930; Christie's dates its example to circa 1936; Antiquorum dates case 019784 to 1938. Similar dial and box photographs leave open whether Muser's circa-1930 case 019794 is the same watch Antiquorum dated to 1938. Treat these as catalogue dates for individual examples; the production endpoints remain unknown. Rossini, 2022 Aguttes Kaplans Christie's Antiquorum, 2017 Uhren-Muser, 2023 Pandolfini, 2014
Published case numbers include 01028, 010271, 010345, 010353, 12'672, 019784/019794, 9906, and 14069. Each comes from an individual sale catalogue; the listed dates do not form a documented serial chronology. Antiquorum dates case 019784 to 1938 and Muser dates case 019794 to circa 1930. Their similar dial and box photographs make a repeat listing plausible, although the case numbers differ. Rossini, 2022 Aguttes Kaplans Antiquorum, 2023 Antiquorum, 2017 Christie's Monaco Legend Pandolfini, 2014
Movement notes
The auction records use several movement labels and jewel counts. The descriptions below stay with their individual lots.
| 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. Lot 11 |
| Christie's, lot 322, circa 1936 | Nickel-finished Ultra Prima lever movement, 15 jewels, bimetallic compensation balance. Lot 322 |
| Kaplans, case 010345, circa 1930 | Catalogue assigns “Cal. 952”; its listing does not establish that label for other 1768s. [1] |
| Aguttes, case 010271, circa 1930 | Extra Prima, 15 jewels, adjusted to six positions; movement number 75524. [2] |
| Antiquorum, case 019784, dated 1938 | 7½-line T.S. 300, Observatory Quality, 15 jewels, lateral lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to six positions. [3] |
| 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. [4] |
Antiquorum’s 2017 listing assigns 15 jewels to case 019784 and has no movement photograph. Muser’s 2023 photo of case 019794 shows 17 Rubies. The dial and box resemble Antiquorum’s images, making a repeat listing plausible; if it is the same watch, the catalogues differ on its case number and jewel count. The Movements guide also illustrates a T.S. 300 marked 18 Rubies. Each count belongs with the example that reports or shows it. Antiquorum, 2017 Uhren-Muser, 2023
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Movement in case 010353. Photo: Antiquorum, 2023, lot 47.
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Extra Prima movement in case 019794; marked “17 Rubies.” Photo: Uhren-Muser, 2023, lot 266.
Dial map
The auction examples use a split-register layout, with differences in dial color and printing. Antiquorum's 1989 lot has a two-tone silver dial with Arabic numerals and subsidiary seconds. Christie's describes a two-tone silvered dial with Arabic and baton numerals. Monaco Legend lists a pink two-tone dial in a steel and pink-gold case. Cannes Auction's circa-1937 photograph shows alternating baton and Arabic markers on the upper register. These catalogue images document dial variants; their dates do not order them. Antiquorum, 1989 Christie's Monaco Legend Cannes Auction, 2023

Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes
The auction catalogues describe rectangular cases with stepped sides. Christie's notes a curved snap-on back and triple-stepped sides; Antiquorum's 2017 lot shows straight lugs, while Kaplans describes fixed bar lugs on case 010345. The details vary among the listed examples. Christie's Antiquorum, 2017 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. Kaplans

Bracelets, end links, clasps, and packaging notes
Auction photographs show leather straps, and the catalogues give no bracelet fitment. Antiquorum’s 2017 and Muser’s 2023 listings show fitted boxes with watches numbered 019784 and 019794. The boxes look alike; whether either was delivered with its watch remains uncertain. Antiquorum, 2017

Special branches
The sale examples span steel, 14K gold, and mixed-metal cases. Christie's describes 14K gold for case 9906; Pandolfini says steel and rose gold for case 12'672; Monaco Legend says steel and pink gold for case 14069. Aguttes uses “rolesium” for case 010271, while Antiquorum's case 010353 is stamped “Rolesium Registered Inalterable.” The material descriptions vary by lot. Christie's, group lot Pandolfini, 2014 Monaco Legend Aguttes Rossini, 2022 Antiquorum, 2023
Historical market and auction record
| Sale | Case and catalogue details |
|---|---|
| Antiquorum Geneva, 15 October 1989, lot 11 | 1930s; steel; 20 x 35 mm; 7-line Extra Prima, 17 jewels; sold CHF 8,050. |
| Christie's, Live Auction 1128, lot 322 | Circa 1936; steel; 42 mm long; 15-jewel Ultra Prima. |
| Monaco Legend, 7 December 2019, lot 119 | Case 14069; steel and pink gold; 21 x 42 mm; pink two-tone dial; passed. |
| Kaplans, Watches 59, 1 September 2018 | Case 010345; approximately 1930; two-colour case; fixed bar lugs; catalogue assigns Cal. 952. |
| Aguttes, lot 12 | Case 010271; circa 1930; “rolesium”; 15-jewel Extra Prima; sold €3,990. |
| 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. |
| Antiquorum Hong Kong, 13 June 2023, lot 47 | Case 010353; circa 1930s; steel; 20 x 42 mm; 7½-line manual movement. |
| Rossini, 16 November 2022, lot 346 | Case 01028; circa 1927; “Rolésium”; 20 x 42 mm; Extra Prima movement no. 74822. |
| Pandolfini, 25 November 2014, lot 406 | Case 12'672; 1930s; steel and rose gold; 36 x 20 mm; manual movement. |
| 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. The listing provides no legible case number. |
Each row describes an individual sale example. Muser’s case 019794 may repeat Antiquorum’s case 019784; the similar watch-and-box photographs support the possibility, while the one-digit difference leaves the match uncertain.
Gallery
-
Case 010353, steel Prince with split-register dial. Photo: Antiquorum, 2023, lot 47.
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Movement in case 010353. Photo: Antiquorum, 2023, lot 47.
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Extra Prima movement in case 019794, marked “17 Rubies.” Photo: Uhren-Muser, 2023, lot 266.
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Caseback marked “Rolesium Registered Inalterable,” case 010353. Photo: Antiquorum, 2023, lot 47.
-
Case listed as 019784 with its box and papers. Photo: Antiquorum, 2017, lot 118.
Sources
- Antiquorum, "Antiquorum Geneva, 15 October 1989, lot 11 — Prince Railway ref. 1768", Antiquorum, 1989-10-15
- Christie's, "Christie's Live Auction 1128, lot 322 — Rolex Prince ref. 1768", Christie's, 2002
- Kaplans Auktioner, "Kaplans Watches auction 59, 1 September 2018 — Rolex ref. 1768, case 010345", Kaplans Auktioner, 2018-09-01
- Antiquorum, "Antiquorum Geneva, 14 May 2017, lot 118 — Prince Railway ref. 1768, case 019784", Antiquorum, 2017-05-14
- Antiquorum, "Antiquorum Hong Kong, 13 June 2023, lot 47 — Prince ref. 1768, case 010353", Antiquorum, 2023-06-13
- Christie's, "Christie's lot 5674614 — group lot including gold Prince ref. 1768, case 9906", Christie's, 2014
- Aguttes, "Aguttes lot 12 — Rolex Prince ref. 1768, case 010271", Aguttes, 2024
- Monaco Legend Auctions, "Monaco Legend Auctions, 7 December 2019, lot 119 — Prince Railway ref. 1768", Monaco Legend Auctions, 2019-12-07
- 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
- 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
- Pandolfini Casa d'Aste, "Pandolfini, 25 November 2014, lot 406 — Rolex Prince ref. 1768, case 12'672", Pandolfini Casa d'Aste, 2014-11-25
- Besch Cannes Auction, "Besch Cannes Auction, 31 December 2023, lot 135 — Rolex Prince ref. 1768", Besch Cannes Auction, 2023-12-31


