Rolex 2736 Prince
Prince → 2736
Bonhams lists three Rolex watches as reference 2736: two in stainless steel and one in 9K gold. Its 2019 and 2024 catalogues identify the model as Prince. The steel cases have separate numbers, 025541 and 029568. The three lots give sample dates, not production boundaries or a complete variant list.
Core facts
| detail | value |
|---|---|
| reference | 2736 |
| family | Prince (manual-wind, rectangular) |
| documented examples | three Bonhams lots: steel, circa 1930 and circa 1932; 9K gold with a Glasgow import mark for 1938 |
| case shape | rectangular, stepped/faceted profile |
| case size | Bonhams lists 22mm x 31mm, 22mm x 30mm, and 22mm x 40mm; measurement points are not stated for the last figure |
| crown | plain pull-out |
| movement | 15-jewel manual wind in all three catalogues; no caliber number given |
| case materials | stainless steel (cases 025541 and 029568); 9K gold (case 46251) |
| dial | three photographed treatments — see Dial map |
Where it sits in the line
Bonhams identifies the 2019 and 2024 examples as Prince; its 2026 lot lists the Rolex reference without a model name. The Vintage Rolex Field Manual files reference 2736 under “Pre-Cellini,” with “Manual” in its caliber column and “Square” as the shape. These sources use different classifications, and the Field Manual’s table gives no further description.
Production outline
Bonhams dates the steel watches to circa 1930 and circa 1932. Its 2019 gold listing gives a Glasgow import mark for 1938; that mark dates the case’s assay, not necessarily the watch’s manufacture. These dates anchor three individual watches rather than a production chronology. Their case numbers are 025541 and 029568 (steel) and 46251 (gold).
Movement notes
All three Bonhams catalogues describe a 15-jewel manual-wind movement. None gives a caliber number. The listings and photographs show small seconds at 6; they do not identify a numbered movement family for this reference.
Dial map
The 2024 steel watch has a silvered dial with a plain “ROLEX” wordmark, baton and dagger markers, and small seconds at 6. The 2019 gold watch has a coronet above “ROLEX,” gilt Arabic numerals, a railroad-style track around the seconds register, and “SWISS MADE” at the foot. Bonhams describes the 2026 steel dial as silvered and signed; its photograph shows Arabic numerals and a coronet. Bonhams also notes that the 2026 watch’s hands were replaced. These three examples show different dial layouts; the factory’s full range remains undocumented.
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2024 steel example: plain “ROLEX” wordmark, baton and dagger markers -
2019 gold example: coronet and gilt Arabic numerals
Case, bezel, crystal, and crown
Both steel examples are described as polished rectangular cases; the 2024 case is described as stepped, while the 2026 case has a snap-on back. The gold case also has a snap-on back. Bonhams lists sizes of 22mm x 31mm for the 2024 steel watch, 22mm x 40mm for the 2026 steel watch, and 22mm x 30mm for the gold watch. Since the catalogue entries do not state how those measurements were taken, the figures should not be read as confirmed case-size variants. The catalogues do not identify the crystal material. The 2024 steel and 2019 gold casebacks carry personal inscriptions; Bonhams does not transcribe them.
Bracelets, end links, and clasps
The 2019 gold watch and 2024 steel watch were catalogued on leather straps; Bonhams calls the 2024 strap and buckle “associated.” The 2026 steel watch was photographed on a folded-link steel bracelet with a signed GF clasp. Bonhams describes both as later and associated; original factory fitment and end-link details remain unknown.
Auction record
| Venue | Date | Lot | Case no. | Material | Dial | Estimate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonhams, "Watches and Wristwatches," London Knightsbridge | 2019-05-21 | 67 | 46251 | 9K gold | Silvered, gilt Arabic numerals, coronet | GBP 700–900 | GBP 892.50 inc. premium |
| Bonhams, "Weekly: Watches London" (online) | 2024-05-08 | 107 | 025541 | Steel | Silvered, baton/dagger markers, plain wordmark | GBP 800–1,200 | GBP 1,088 inc. premium |
| Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, "Property of a Noble Collector Part 2" | 2026-09-08 | 6 | 029568 | Steel | Silvered; photograph shows Arabic numerals and coronet | EUR 1,500–2,500 | EUR 4,864 inc. premium |
The 2026 result was above estimate. Three sales across two case materials are too few to establish a price pattern.
Related references
- Prince 1527 "Railway" — stepped bi-color Prince with a documented case-shape nickname
- Prince 1490
- Prince 1491 Jump Hour
- Prince 1862
- Prince 3361
- Prince 3937
See also the Prince family index, movement reference, and serial numbers by year.
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Steel case 025541, Bonhams 2024 -
Steel case 029568 on later associated bracelet, Bonhams 2026 -
Steel dial, case 025541
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9K gold dial, case 46251
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Stepped case profile, case 025541
Sources
- "Rolex. A stainless steel manual wind rectangular bracelet watch, ref. 2736, circa 1932", Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, lot 6, 2026-09-08
- "Rolex. A stainless steel manual wind wristwatch, Prince, Ref: 2736, Circa 1930", Bonhams, 2024-05-08
- "Rolex. A 9K gold manual wind rectangular wristwatch, Prince, Ref: 2736, Glasgow Import mark for 1938", Bonhams, 2019-05-21
- The Vintage Rolex Field Manual, Colin A. White, “Dress Watch References,” Pre-Cellini table, ref. 2736