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Preston48 · 30 June 2016, 04:00 AM

Hey Folks,

It's been a real long time since I've been back here so if you could be patient with this query I would appreciate it very much.

I recently found this while on a watch hunt to add to my collection. I was quite surprised at my discovery of what it was but I'm having trouble figuring out what I'm to call it.

Is this watch called the Railroad or Doctor?

This is indeed a Rolex Prince but it was made for the Birks fine jewelers line of stores for the Canadian market. So the dial once said Birks or Birks Prince.

Everything is the same between the watches except for the movement has Birks engraved where Rolex would be on the movement bridge and the dial once said Birks.

So what do I call it?

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Tools · 30 June 2016, 09:25 AM

Looks like a Gruen to me.

MILGAUSS88 · 30 June 2016, 09:50 AM

Doctor's watch.
I am not familiar with the Birks connection.
But as alluded to by previous post, Gruen made watches identical to the Rolex Prince with the same movement, provided by Aegler, who was affiliated with Rolex at that time.
They, however are not considered a "Rolex" watch. I am not sure if this would be considered a Rolex either.

MILGAUSS88 · 30 June 2016, 09:54 AM

Railroad watches would be round, white dial, black arabic numerals.
Railroad wristwatches were not produced until the 50's, as wristwatches were thought to be inferior to pocket watches.
Your watch was made in the late 20's or 1930's.

JimSnyder · 30 June 2016, 09:57 AM

Looks similar to a Rolex Prince Observatory from the 30's

watch-guy.com · 30 June 2016, 05:14 PM

and the movement

But if it was Rolex Prince ref 1527 it should say so on the case

As mentioned above angler made movements for Rolex in the "doctor" fashion ie a large and separate sub second below the hour and minute hands

Also the "prince" movement was developed and made differently yo any other rectangular rolex movement

Here is my Rolex Prince - known as a doctors watch because of the separate sub second dial.. the case is a stepped or railroad case

Trustgus · 19 April 2017, 10:09 PM

I have also come across a vintage Prince with BIRKS movement stamped. Is it fake?

30 June 2016, 04:00 AM	#1
Preston48 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 2	Ref. 1527, Railroad or Doctor? Hey Folks, It's been a real long time since I've been back here so if you could be patient with this query I would appreciate it very much. I recently found this while on a watch hunt to add to my collection. I was quite surprised at my discovery of what it was but I'm having trouble figuring out what I'm to call it. Is this watch called the Railroad or Doctor? This is indeed a Rolex Prince but it was made for the Birks fine jewelers line of stores for the Canadian market. So the dial once said Birks or Birks Prince. Everything is the same between the watches except for the movement has Birks engraved where Rolex would be on the movement bridge and the dial once said Birks. So what do I call it? Any assistance would be appreciated.

30 June 2016, 09:25 AM	#2
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,497	Looks like a Gruen to me. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

30 June 2016, 09:57 AM	#5
JimSnyder "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Jim Snyder Location: Ohio Watch: Ask me later..... Posts: 7,725	Looks similar to a Rolex Prince Observatory from the 30's __________________ "You ain't lived, 'til you've had your tires rotated by a red-headed women."

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30 June 2016, 09:50 AM	#3
MILGAUSS88 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: mississippi river Posts: 3,181	Doctor's watch. I am not familiar with the Birks connection. But as alluded to by previous post, Gruen made watches identical to the Rolex Prince with the same movement, provided by Aegler, who was affiliated with Rolex at that time. They, however are not considered a "Rolex" watch. I am not sure if this would be considered a Rolex either.

30 June 2016, 09:54 AM	#4
MILGAUSS88 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: mississippi river Posts: 3,181	Railroad watches would be round, white dial, black arabic numerals. Railroad wristwatches were not produced until the 50's, as wristwatches were thought to be inferior to pocket watches. Your watch was made in the late 20's or 1930's.

19 April 2017, 10:09 PM	#7
Trustgus "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Usa Posts: 3	I have also come across a vintage Prince with BIRKS movement stamped. Is it fake?

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