84 Rolex Very Rare and Unusual, Prince “1/4 Century Club” Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, Made for Eaton, to Commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Employee Service, Reference 3937

Estimate: €7,000 –⁠ 14,000

Model: Prince
Reference: 3937
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1930's
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 7 1/2
Case N°: 6216
Dimensions: 21 × 44 mm
Signed: Movement and Case
Accessories: Certification from Eaton & Co

Distinctive, refined, and elegant, the Prince stands out as one of the most captivating Art Deco wristwatches ever produced, becoming a symbol of luxury during the Depression era. First introduced in 1928, the Prince came in various iterations, such as the Classic, the Brancard, and the Railway. Its innovative design, with a rectangular case and a dial that separates the hour and minute display from the seconds register—positioned slightly lower—was highly unusual for its time. The watch presented here is a reference 3937, featuring a yellow-gold case with ornate lugs, and bears an engraving on the snap-on case back: “Presented to Audrey A. Thurlow" on his becoming a member of ‘The Timothy Eaton Quarter-Century Club,’ 1926–1951.” This piece was a special commission from Eaton & Co., and the dial is signed “Eaton” instead of the traditional Rolex signature. The silver dial boasts a stunning two-tone design, with the rare inscription “1/4 Century Club” replacing traditional numerals. The Rolex Prince was cased in various metals, including 9K, 14K, and 18K yellow, white, and pink gold, as well as platinum, silver, stainless steel, or combinations thereof. Like this model, the Prince remains highly sought-after by collectors. The Eaton department store, one of Canada’s largest retailers, was founded by Timothy Eaton in Toronto in 1869, and between 1930 and 1960, “Century Club” watches, such as this one, were awarded to employees in recognition of 25 years of loyal service.