Rolex Prince Sporting 1871

The Rolex Prince Sporting ref. 1871 emerged in the late 1930s as one of the final iterations in the Sporting Prince sub-series. It was built with a cushion-shaped case design that offered a broader and more durable profile than the traditional rectangular Prince references, measuring approximately 28 mm in width and 38 mm in lug-to-lug length. Primarily crafted in stainless steel or steel with gold accents, the 1871 retained the signature split-dial layout characteristic of the Prince family—showcasing a clear time display above and a large subsidiary seconds dial below. The watch was powered by the Rolex Caliber 300, a manually wound movement celebrated for its chronometric precision and 42-hour power reserve. Dial designs often featured contrasting tones, railway minute tracks, and bold Arabic numerals, complemented by sword or leaf-shaped hands. Designed to appeal to professionals seeking a rugged timepiece with Rolex’s hallmark accuracy and refined aesthetics, the 1871 balanced utilitarian robustness with early sport-luxury elegance. Today, the ref. 1871 is considered highly collectible for its rarity, transitional case design, and place in the final chapters of Rolex’s pre-Oyster Prince evolution.