The Rolex Prince, a name synonymous with elegance and precision, holds a unique place in the history of horology. While not as widely recognized as the Submariner or Daytona, its story is equally compelling, particularly regarding its distinctive dial configurations, especially those featuring a "start-stop seconds" function, often misunderstood and mislabeled. This article delves into the complete history of the Rolex Prince and Princess, explores the nuances of its seconds dial, addresses common service and repair issues, and examines its enduring appeal, particularly within the medical profession.
The Complete History of The Rolex Prince & Princess:
The Rolex Prince lineage, dating back to the 1920s, represents a significant chapter in Rolex's journey. Unlike the sporty Oyster models, the Prince collection focused on refined elegance and sophisticated design. Characterized by their rectangular cases, often crafted from precious metals like gold and platinum, the Prince watches projected an air of understated luxury. The early models, frequently featuring a cushion-shaped case, were a departure from the round cases that would later become Rolex's signature. The introduction of the Prince line solidified Rolex's position not just as a maker of robust, reliable timepieces, but also as a creator of elegant dress watches capable of withstanding the rigors of daily life.
The name "Prince" itself evokes a sense of royalty and prestige, mirroring the quality and craftsmanship inherent in the watches. The Princess line, a closely related collection, often shared design elements with the Prince but typically featured smaller cases, better suited to a female clientele. Both lines employed high-quality movements, ensuring accurate timekeeping, a hallmark of Rolex's reputation. The evolution of the Prince and Princess lines saw a gradual refinement of design, incorporating innovations in movement technology and case construction. While the overall aesthetic remained consistent—the rectangular case and the distinctive dial layout—subtle changes in case dimensions, lug designs, and dial details marked the progression of these iconic timepieces through the decades.
What is with the Micro Seconds Dial?
The term "micro seconds dial" is often used incorrectly when referring to the seconds subdial on many Rolex Prince models. These watches didn't possess a mechanism capable of measuring fractions of a second, as found in high-end chronographs. Instead, the seconds subdial, usually positioned below the main hours and minutes display, served as a standard seconds register. The "start-stop" functionality often associated with this subdial refers to the ability to stop the seconds hand by engaging the crown. This feature, while not a chronograph function in the truest sense, allowed for precise time setting and observation of the seconds hand's movement. The confusion likely stems from the unusual placement of the seconds display and the somewhat unusual mechanism for its operation, leading to the misinterpretation as a micro-seconds or even a chronograph complication.
The placement of the seconds below the main time display is a key characteristic of many Rolex Prince watches. It is believed that this design, with its vertical arrangement of the time elements, was particularly favoured by doctors, who could quickly and easily glance at both the time and the seconds simultaneously. This facilitated precise timing of procedures and medication administration, making the Rolex Prince a practical and stylish tool for medical professionals.
Rolex Prince:
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