In the 1930's after developing their famous Oyster case and before making the transition to specializing in mostly sport watches, Rolex crafted their Prince line of watches to meet the needs of their exclusive clientele.

The rare and sought-after wristwatch featured in today's offering is an example of one of those pieces, a member of the acclaimed Rolex Prince family. Powered by Rolex's celebrated tonneau movement, considered one of the finest rectangular mechanisms ever built, it easily kept perfect time.

Here are a few of the features that make this wristwatch special:

• Prince Elegante model, a member of the celebrated Rolex Prince family of watches
• Pleasing dial with wonderful raised gilt numbers and track
• Better quality movement featuring an oversized winding barrel and balance wheel. By placing these two mechanisms at opposite ends of the movement the watch achieves incredible levels of accuracy and carries a longer power reserve, enabling it to run longer and more accurately on a single wind
• Solid gold balance screws and high quality escapement insure exceptional timekeeping
• Shapely and elegant stainless steel case with curved back to fit the wrist
• This specific movement was rated "Ultra Prima" for its accuracy, the highest distinction given to a movement after it was assembled and tested. Rolex's ordinarily accurate movements were not labeled with any "Prima" designation. Then in ascending order were "Prima", "Extra Prima", and "Ultra Prima". Few movements were rated "Ultra Prima."

It is in pleasing original condition. Its attractive steel case appears to have never been polished. It retains perfectly strong number, model number, and Rolex stamping on the back and presents very nicely.

Its classic Prince style dial appears original with fairly mild aging. Please inquire if you would like it professionally restored.

One of our watchmakers has disassembled its high-grade, Rolex tonneau movement down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it. It is keeping the kind of very accurate time one would expect from a watch of this caliber. We have also installed a brand new mineral glass crystal to give a clear view to the extreme edge.

For the finishing touch we have equipped it with a brand new Hirsch calf-leather strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.

Please note: A similar watch is published in Osvaldo Patrizzi's work Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches, 2001 Edition, Vol. 2, p. 79.

• Manufacturer: Rolex
• Country of origin: Switzerland, made for the British market
• Serial no.: 033309
• Year built: c. 1934
• Model: Prince Elegante, reference number 2536
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: Stainless steel
• Case markings (outside): Case number, ref. number 2536, Rolex crown Modele Depose
• Case markings (inside): Rolex, 25 World Records, Geneva Suisse
• Case condition: Excellent. Appears never to have been polished. One small scratch on the side and one tiny pin prick on the back and light wear. Very honest and presents very nicely.
• Dial: Silver, signed Rolex, wonderful raised gilt Art Deco numerals and outer minute track, appears original with fairly mild to moderate aging. Please inquire if you would like it restored.
• Dimensions: 22mm wide (excluding crown), 38mm long lug tip-to-tip
• Hands: Original, blue steel, "diamonds"
• Movement type: Very high quality, signed Rolex, 18 jewels, rhodium plated, oversized balance wheel and winding barrel for enhanced accuracy and longer power reserve, gold balance screws, gold jewel chatons, precision finished escapement
• Movement markings: Rolex, Ultra Prima, Swiss Made, 18 Rubies, Chronometre, Timed Six Positions
• Band: Hirsch, top grain calf leather, remborde, brand new and unworn
• Crystal: Mineral glass, mint condition
• Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. Keeping very accurate time.
• Serviced: One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
• Warranty: 1-year C.O.T. international warranty.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide