Rolex

I have tried for many years to like contemporary Rolex watches but somehow could not, even though they are great watches. However, I have always had a soft spot for vintage Rolexes and I am not referring to the Oyster but the really old Rolexes from the 2...  

Definitely in my top 2 and I agree on your comments on legibility and looks!

but for me the first two look the best and it depends whether you would prefer rectangular or round. Regards Kev.

There is this huge following of Rolex Prince watches and I had to try a couple on but I agree with you that the simplicity and the elegance of the first two make either a compelling choice. Not to mention, their combined cost equates to less than either o... 

For the reasons previously mentioned. It looks in such perfect condition too! Cazalea

that I am quite in awe at the condition of all the watches in this shop. I mean the watches are more than 80 years old and should rightfully be termed as 'mint'. That first watch is really doing well. Maybe I should not have placed it first in the photos!... 

It just shows how the lowest priced watch can triumph! Thank you for your vote

I was going to say that you almost make me laugh but seriously speaking, to me it lack the class and elegance that the older watches have. A watch should be discreetly elegant in my opinion but a modern Cellini Price would be too showy for me.

Best wishes Alkiro

has a very legible dial for a Prince but even the honest shopkeeper remarked that it is a bit too large for my wrist. I say honest because it was the most expensive watch of the four. Thank you Alkiro. The first one is more popular than I thought it would... 

Best wishes Alkiro

I aim to return to the shop and have a final try of all four before pulling the trigger Many purists don't seem to mind if the lugs of a watch stick out a little. I tend to go for the perfect fit as if the watch was made for my wrist (I know it wasn't but... 

Best wishes Alkiro

But yes I do agree - I will buy the watch I love! And I hope I do not love all four!!

Best wishes Alkiro

But if the watch does prove reliable, I can see myself slowly building a collection of Rolex vintage watches especially as for the price of the equivalent Patek, I can get a few Rolexes!!

Best wishes Alkiro

those with limited funds!!

Best wishes Alkiro

The lugs unfortunately hang a bit on me but thanks anyway. I love the clarity of the dial because some Prince models are more cluttered.

Although at the end of the day, the final decision would be mine, I cannot ignore how popular the first one is! Not only is it terribly elegant but it hugs my wrist perfectly!!

Love the tank shaped ones. Case on number 1 looks very nice, and dials on number 3 and 4 look fantastic, I see nothing special on number 2. Thanks for sharing. Vte

I wish Rolex had a new range of these watches which I am convinced will be very popular!

You say all these pieces are in pristine condition It is extremely rare to find these old models with pristine original dials I am struggling to find an original striped prince or even a two tone prince without some work done on the case or dial Good luck... 

This particular shop only sells vintage Rolex watches and have quite a number of Prince models available. Their prices are arguably higher than any other dealer but the quality of their products are second to none. This makes these rare watches even rarer... 

But for me, I am always reluctant to choose a shaped case as I'm afraid I'll lose interest in it; or feel it is too attention-getting. That has happened on more than one occasion. So number 2 would most likely be what I'd end up selecting. Frankly, it app... 

Yes rectangular cases are arguably more niche and the round case with the 33 or 34mm diameter fitted my wrist like a glove as expected. Saying that, I actually opted for a Patek 5940G with a torneau shaped case over the more conventional 5140 round case a... 

To be honest, the first two fit my wrist perfectly as if they were made for me. I am almost tempted to buy both (they conveniently cost a lot less than any of the other two. I know, I know I am being a bit greedy here )) but I am a bit cautious as I have ... 

I owned several over the years and their great watches. Kurt

You are the only purist who has chosen the 4th watch and as you seem to be an expert on these watches, your vote really matters. In fact, when I walked out of the shop, this was my favourite watch and the Prince that best suited my wrist. So I was quite a... 

Love the 3rd & 4th!

I can see you are a fan of the Rolex Prince range. It is guys like you who have pushed the price of the Prince up!! ) Good choices by the way. The 3rd watch has a very clear and clean dial but wears larger on my wrist than the 4th watch. Dying to try them... 

thanks! Given the popularity of the Rolex sports watches, these classic watches proces have become very affordable.. : )

They both seem to be the most legible but if you look at the 3rd one carefully, the watch may be a tad too large for my wrist if you notice how the bottom of the watch is placed compared to say watches number one and four where the fact is close to perfec... 

But what if I told you for the price of number 3, I could get number 1 and 4!!

I guess you get what you pay for and it is priced a certain way due to the demand for the watch. I need a new wrist!!

I very much like the first. The simplicity rectangular case is much in keeping with that era and the art deco style. Below is an old picture of mine against a copy of a December 1936 UK Rolex advertisement. I understand that the steel case is now rare. Mi...  

I feel today's watches are generally too large and yours fits your wrist perfectly. In fact I am pretty sure I saw something similar in the shop I visited who only specialise in vintage Rolexes. Maybe I am just a dinosaur but I wish Rolex and other compan... 

I would need there to be an unrefinished, untouched dial; unpolished or lightly polished case with good definition all around and no corrosion; movement in excellent condition. Regarding the Prince Brancard (#3), does it have an observatory movement, whic... 

I am highly impressed by your knowledge of vintage Rolex watches which I have none of! The watches are in silver apart from the round one. I can see originality is important to you but condition is very important to me too which is why I visited this part...  

You approach these dilemmas with great curiosity, open mindedness, a sense of humor and modesty. So I am happy to participate in the discussion. Congratulations on the Moser #1 of 20! I know these watches have a following and are of very high quality. Unt... 

Fortunately or perhaps unfortunately, I cannot keep buying watches with my impending retirement in June, unless of course one of my relatives is a lot less healthy and loves me a lot more than I could ever have imagined! I think my biggest and possibly on... 

you should assume it won't - hence no need to worry. In other words one needs to adjust one's attitude towards this issue and forget about trying to adjust the watch for greater accuracy. Like with your IWC you might get lucky, but even if so, it doesn't ... 

I must have been very lucky with the IWC (admittedly it had spent 4 months at IWC for a full service and restoration) because it was keeping near perfect time for two years! It then occurred to me that accuracy in watches has not progressed much after 70 ... 

be a perfectionist and get exactly what you want. Don't know about the speed of your learning, but it seems to me you have learned a lot and have developed a great formula for buying. Of course, sometimes it is hard to stick to a formula when presented wi... 

Thank you for appreciating my 'twisted' views. We all have formulas that work for us and after having made numerous purchases and arguably numerous mistakes, I think I have finally found what worls for me. I am happy to say my tiny collection of 4 or 5 wa... 

Classic, right sized and the dial layout doesn't look as busy and pretty well balanced.

Your opinion sums it all accurately. Some people may not be able to appreciate a simple non busy dial, but like you, I do