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The Forgotten (Unknown) Rolex....
A strange thing happened at Baselworld 2005.....
Rolex introduced one of the most radical products in its history and the watchworld 'missed' it!!!
The Cellini Prince was a high-end rectangular watch with a transparent caseback showing off a highly-decorated rectangular movement.
The Cellini Prince was unlike ANYTHING in the Catalogue......
Rolex first introduced a rectangular watch under the Prince brand in 1928. The Prince was one of their more important and popular models at the time. It soon became known as 'The Doctor's Watch' as its relatively large seconds subdial was the ideal instrument for helping Physicians time a patient's pulse. Crafted exclusively in gold, it was also priced at a point that few other than those on a Doctor's salary could afford.
Its 20 year run was a huge success and it helped sow the seeds of the reputation Rolex enjoys today, as makers of some of the finest and most reliable watches money can buy.
One thing you won't see in a Rolex (both past and present) is the watch movement.....
Although Rolex produces some of the best watch movements available, they are ALWAYS hidden behind solid casebacks.
The new Cellini Prince was the first (and ONLY) Rolex to display its new and highly-decorated, beautiful movement behind a sapphire crystal caseback.
That's why the Cellini Prince was such a shocker when it was introduced at Baselworld in 2005. the Prince is everything "a Rolex ISN'T" and shows the skill of a company not widely known for some of the more exotic facets of watchmaking....
Squint and you can see Patek Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Cartier or Hermes.
But look closer and the Prince is all Rolex.....
More posts:
The Forgotten (Unknown) Rolex....
A strange thing happened at Baselworld 2005..... Rolex introduced one of the most radical products in its history and the watchworld 'missed' it!!! The Cellini Prince was a high-end rectangular watch with a transparent caseback showing off a highly-decora...
Brilliant write-up :))
It is precisely for the reasons you highlight in your post that the Cellini Prince, to this day, remains my favorite Rolex! I happen to have a list of watches which I aim to obtain before something along the lines of a Cellini, but as far as Rolex's offer...
Thank you for the kind words Filip....
It's so nice of you to take the time to read and comment. I hope you get the Cellini.... Because they didn't sell well, there were many NOS left in their boxes around the world which can be bought for far less than their original retail prices. Mine is br...
Merci mon frère....
I can understand your wishes...however for me, the chunky thickness is perfectly balanced for its Art Deco inspiration and sits so wonderfully on my wrist. ...
A very underrated rolex imho
When i saw it from a good friend and fellow member it surprised me a lot how good it looks .
In the flesh.....it's magnificent
This is the first white gold watch I have owned and Rolex white gold is quite special as they have their own foundry and mix their own metals. The differences to polished stainless steel are ravishing....even with the Grand Seiko Zaratsu polishing techniq...
The case reminds me slightly of the Bucheron Reflet
Loving the Art Deco vibe though..
You get it....
There are actually four separate designs that Rolex released in this range. They are all different....
Beautiful. I always loved the Doctors Watch vibe of that watch.
But then again I'm a big fan of rectangular watches.
It's grown on me, for sure.
It's such an interesting departure from Rolex's usual and it has a very interesting shaped movement too.
Specially designed for the rectangular case...
Which is not something Rolex is naturally inclined to do.....
