Rolex Prince 1855

The Rolex Prince ref. 1855, introduced in the mid-1930s, belongs to the second generation of the iconic Prince line, widely celebrated for its technical precision and elegant design. The 1855 is notable for its rectangular case, which measured approximately 28 mm in width and 42 mm in length, and was most often constructed from 18k yellow or rose gold, though some examples in steel are known. This reference was equipped with the manually wound Rolex Caliber 300, renowned for its accuracy and 42-hour power reserve, specifically designed to accommodate the vertically split dial format with separate time and seconds registers. The dial was typically laid out in a two-tone finish with bold numerals and a large subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, making it particularly appealing to professionals such as doctors and engineers who valued legibility. With its art deco styling, rectangular architecture, and horological significance, the 1855 captures a pivotal era in Rolex’s early wristwatch development. Highly collectible today, the Prince 1855 stands out for its blend of aesthetic sophistication and mechanical ingenuity, emblematic of Rolex’s pre-Oyster innovation era.