Rolex Two-Tone Rectangular Dress Watch Ref. 1378 - Sunburst Silver Dial

Prior to becoming perhaps the most powerful, well-known watch brand on the planet, Rolex was just like any other small manufacturer in the first half of the twentieth century. Before major model families came into their own, such as the Datejust, Day-Date, and the entirety of the Professional range, they were constantly experimenting trying new things to see what stuck.

The Prince family of watches, while niche, are known to collectors and enthusiasts and offer a rich variety of metals, dials, and design from the early twentieth century. The piece that we have here, a two-tone rectangular dress watch, is another rectangular model that has somehow alluded collector circles, and what a beauty it is.

It features a 21mm x 35mm 9k yellow gold outer case with fixed 'wire' lugs, and a stainless steel inner case that houses the movement and dial. The 9k winding crown is recessed and very likely original to the watch. The silver dial inside is very nicely preserved, with a nice vibrant sunburst surface with very simple printed indices and a blued-steel handset.

Dating to circa the early 1950s, this represents the very end of the Art-Deco era for Rolex and seems to be completely overlooked, or flat-out forgotten. The upside is that they present fantastic value relative to the usual suspects from the brand, and you're very, very unlikely to see another in the wild.