Reference:1343 - Revision history

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2026-08-08T21:44:51Z

Style: strip bold emphasis from list labels and inline reference numbers (CLAUDE.md rule 8)

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	Total production output is not published by Rolex for any Prince reference. The 1343 surfaces less frequently at major auction than the 1490 Brancard but more frequently than the 1527 Railway or the 3361 Aerodynamic. The Mondani Collection Antiquorum sale (14 May 2006, lot 794) is the canonical primary catalogue and the highest-watermark Antiquorum lot in the documented record at hammer CHF 10,620 against estimate CHF 10,000–14,000.		Total production output is not published by Rolex for any Prince reference. The 1343 surfaces less frequently at major auction than the 1490 Brancard but more frequently than the 1527 Railway or the 3361 Aerodynamic. The Mondani Collection Antiquorum sale (14 May 2006, lot 794) is the canonical primary catalogue and the highest-watermark Antiquorum lot in the documented record at hammer CHF 10,620 against estimate CHF 10,000–14,000.

	The suffix system matters. Catalogue text across Bonhams, Antiquorum, Heritage, and Gardiner Houlgate documents three variants: ~~'''~~1343~~'''~~ (no suffix, typically silver examples), ~~'''~~1343A~~'''~~ (standard production across multiple metals), and ~~'''~~1343B~~'''~~ (the 18K two-colour gold "Tiger Stripe" variant). No source explicitly explains the suffix mapping, but the pattern parallels the 971 / 971A relationship and the 1343A as the dominant standard with 1343B as the special two-colour configuration is consistent across surfaced examples.		The suffix system matters. Catalogue text across Bonhams, Antiquorum, Heritage, and Gardiner Houlgate documents three variants: 1343 (no suffix, typically silver examples), 1343A (standard production across multiple metals), and 1343B (the 18K two-colour gold "Tiger Stripe" variant). No source explicitly explains the suffix mapping, but the pattern parallels the 971 / 971A relationship and the 1343A as the dominant standard with 1343B as the special two-colour configuration is consistent across surfaced examples.

	<span id="movement-notes"></span>		<span id="movement-notes"></span>
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	Materials documented across major-house lots:		Materials documented across major-house lots:

	* ~~'''~~Sterling silver~~'''~~ — Heritage Auctions (lot 5023-61304, c.1930, 43 × 23 mm), Bonhams 16896 (December 2009, 20 × 39 mm)		* Sterling silver — Heritage Auctions (lot 5023-61304, c.1930, 43 × 23 mm), Bonhams 16896 (December 2009, 20 × 39 mm)
	* ~~'''~~9ct yellow gold~~'''~~ — Bonhams 17800 (1343A, June 2010, sold £2,280)		* 9ct yellow gold — Bonhams 17800 (1343A, June 2010, sold £2,280)
	* ~~'''~~14K white gold~~'''~~ — Gardiner Houlgate (1343A, May 2018, Bucherer-signed, c.1935)		* 14K white gold — Gardiner Houlgate (1343A, May 2018, Bucherer-signed, c.1935)
	* ~~'''~~Stainless steel ("Rolesium")~~'''~~ — Antiquorum / Mondani (1343A, May 2006, hammer CHF 10,620)		* Stainless steel ("Rolesium") — Antiquorum / Mondani (1343A, May 2006, hammer CHF 10,620)
	* ~~'''~~18K two-colour gold "Tiger Stripe"~~'''~~ — Bonhams 24632 (1343B, December 2018, est. £7,000–9,000) and re-offered at Bonhams 25394 (February 2019)		* 18K two-colour gold "Tiger Stripe" — Bonhams 24632 (1343B, December 2018, est. £7,000–9,000) and re-offered at Bonhams 25394 (February 2019)
	* ~~'''~~White gold filigree~~'''~~ — documented white-gold filigree example, 20 × 40 mm, seven-position chronometer		* White gold filigree — documented white-gold filigree example, 20 × 40 mm, seven-position chronometer

	No platinum 1343 surfaces in the auction record. Platinum is documented only on the 971 Brancard and certain 1490 examples; the 1343 Classic appears to be steel-and-gold only.		No platinum 1343 surfaces in the auction record. Platinum is documented only on the 971 Brancard and certain 1490 examples; the 1343 Classic appears to be steel-and-gold only.

Admin: Fix: strip banned dealer attribution (hard rule #5) and research-scaffold phrasing from prose

2026-08-08T18:02:42Z

Fix: strip banned dealer attribution (hard rule #5) and research-scaffold phrasing from prose

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:02, 8 August 2026
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	The 1343 is the unflared Rolex Prince Classic — the straight-sided rectangular case that anchors every other Prince article on this site. It launches in the late 1920s alongside the 971 Brancard, runs roughly until 1935, and survives in silver, 9ct gold, 14K white gold, stainless steel, and the two-colour 1343B "Tiger Stripe" variant. Friedberg's foundational 2001 TimeZone taxonomy locks in the case-shape rule that holds across the family: Classic 1343 with parallel sides, Brancard 971 with the flared waist. Almost every Prince article on bezelbase reaches back to the 1343 to set up that distinction.		The 1343 is the unflared Rolex Prince Classic — the straight-sided rectangular case that anchors every other Prince article on this site. It launches in the late 1920s alongside the 971 Brancard, runs roughly until 1935, and survives in silver, 9ct gold, 14K white gold, stainless steel, and the two-colour 1343B "Tiger Stripe" variant. Friedberg's foundational 2001 TimeZone taxonomy locks in the case-shape rule that holds across the family: Classic 1343 with parallel sides, Brancard 971 with the flared waist. Almost every Prince article on bezelbase reaches back to the 1343 to set up that distinction.

	Inside that taxonomy lives a contradiction worth stating. Friedberg~~, Beckertime,~~ and the Dutch ''rolexencyclopedie.nl'' canon ~~all~~ treat 1343 + 971 as the 1928 launch pair. ~~Everest Bands (Vincent Deschamps, December 2023) and~~ ''Rolex Magazine'' (Jake Ehrlich, May 2017) instead pair 1343 with 1490 — the larger, longer-produced Brancard that overlaps with then succeeds 971. Both readings are on the public record. The cleanest reconciliation is that 971 was the original Brancard and 1490 the longer-produced sibling; modern editorial that drops 971 conflates "first" with "most encountered." The 1343 sits opposite both of them as the Classic.		Inside that taxonomy lives a contradiction worth stating. Friedberg and the Dutch ''rolexencyclopedie.nl'' canon treat 1343 + 971 as the 1928 launch pair. ''Rolex Magazine'' (Jake Ehrlich, May 2017) and more recent editorial instead pair 1343 with 1490 — the larger, longer-produced Brancard that overlaps with then succeeds 971. Both readings are on the public record. The cleanest reconciliation is that 971 was the original Brancard and 1490 the longer-produced sibling; modern editorial that drops 971 conflates "first" with "most encountered." The 1343 sits opposite both of them as the Classic.

	<span id="core-facts"></span>		<span id="core-facts"></span>
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	\|-		\|-
	\| case dimensions		\| case dimensions
	\| 20 × 35 mm (1343B Tiger Stripe per Bonhams) or 20 × 39–40 mm (silver / stainless / white gold per Heritage, Mondani, ~~Watches To Buy,~~ Bonhams 16896)		\| 20 × 35 mm (1343B Tiger Stripe per Bonhams) or 20 × 39–40 mm (silver / stainless / white gold per Heritage, Mondani, and Bonhams 16896)
	\|-		\|-
	\| metals		\| metals
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	\|-		\|-
	\| predecessor / sister		\| predecessor / sister
	\| launches alongside the 971 Brancard (Friedberg ~~/ Beckertime~~) or alongside the 1490 Brancard (~~Everest Bands /~~ Rolex Magazine 2017) — see launch-pair contradiction below		\| launches alongside the 971 Brancard (Friedberg) or alongside the 1490 Brancard (''Rolex Magazine'' 2017) — see launch-pair contradiction below
	\|-		\|-
	\| successor		\| successor
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	== Production outline ==		== Production outline ==

	The launch year is contested. Friedberg~~, Beckertime,~~ and most modern editorial put the 1343 at the 1928 launch alongside the 971. Bonhams's catalogue text on the 1343B Tiger Stripe (sale 24632, December 2018) reads instead "the Prince model was introduced by Rolex in 1929 and continued until 1935." Both years are defensible: a 1928 Swiss launch with first-British-import Glasgow assay marks dated 1929 fits the documented examples. Treat 1928–29 as the launch window rather than picking one year.		The launch year is contested. Friedberg and most modern editorial put the 1343 at the 1928 launch alongside the 971. Bonhams's catalogue text on the 1343B Tiger Stripe (sale 24632, December 2018) reads instead "the Prince model was introduced by Rolex in 1929 and continued until 1935." Both years are defensible: a 1928 Swiss launch with first-British-import Glasgow assay marks dated 1929 fits the documented examples. Treat 1928–29 as the launch window rather than picking one year.

	The end-year reading is firmer. The Bonhams catalogue text places production through 1935. The Bucherer-signed 14K white gold 1343A at Gardiner Houlgate (lot 45, 23 May 2018) is dated c.1935 and is the latest 1343 surfaced in the auction record. No 1343 dated post-1938 has surfaced at major auction. The 1490 Brancard runs significantly later — into the early 1940s — but the 1343 Classic appears to wind down at roughly the same time the 1862 Classic is taking over.		The end-year reading is firmer. The Bonhams catalogue text places production through 1935. The Bucherer-signed 14K white gold 1343A at Gardiner Houlgate (lot 45, 23 May 2018) is dated c.1935 and is the latest 1343 surfaced in the auction record. No 1343 dated post-1938 has surfaced at major auction. The 1490 Brancard runs significantly later — into the early 1940s — but the 1343 Classic appears to wind down at roughly the same time the 1862 Classic is taking over.
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	== Case and construction ==		== Case and construction ==

	The case is rectangular, parallel-sided, snap-on back. Two distinct dimensional clusters surface across documented examples: a smaller 20 × 35 mm envelope on the Bonhams 1343B Tiger Stripe and a larger 20 × 39–40 mm envelope across the Heritage sterling, Mondani stainless, ~~Watches To Buy white gold, and~~ Bonhams 16896 silver ~~examples~~. Whether these represent two genuine sub-variants of the case or a measurement difference (with versus without lugs) is not resolved in the surfaced sources. Both dimensional readings are documented and both should be expected on surviving examples.		The case is rectangular, parallel-sided, snap-on back. Two distinct dimensional clusters surface across documented examples: a smaller 20 × 35 mm envelope on the Bonhams 1343B Tiger Stripe and a larger 20 × 39–40 mm envelope across the Heritage sterling, Mondani stainless, Bonhams 16896 silver, and a documented white gold example. Whether these represent two genuine sub-variants of the case or a measurement difference (with versus without lugs) is not resolved in the surfaced sources. Both dimensional readings are documented and both should be expected on surviving examples.

	The case is consistently described as "stepped sides" or "tonneau" in catalogue text — period Art Deco geometry, with the lateral edges chamfered or stepped rather than left flat. The lugs are short and integrated into the case shape rather than soldered as separate pieces. The crystal is mineral glass; period-correct replacements are common given the 90-year service life.		The case is consistently described as "stepped sides" or "tonneau" in catalogue text — period Art Deco geometry, with the lateral edges chamfered or stepped rather than left flat. The lugs are short and integrated into the case shape rather than soldered as separate pieces. The crystal is mineral glass; period-correct replacements are common given the 90-year service life.
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	=== Seven-position chronometer 1343 ===		=== Seven-position chronometer 1343 ===

	A documented white gold 1343 is adjusted to seven positions rather than the standard six. The seven-adjustment grade was the highest commercial grade Rolex offered on the Prince line, and the period Rolex catalogue text reads it as uncommon. No major-house lot anchors the seven-position 1343 ~~— the variant~~ surfaces only in dealer ~~corpus~~.		A documented white gold 1343 is adjusted to seven positions rather than the standard six. The seven-adjustment grade was the highest commercial grade Rolex offered on the Prince line, and the period Rolex catalogue text reads it as uncommon. No major-house lot anchors the seven-position 1343; it surfaces only in dealer listings.

	<span id="historical-market-and-auction-record"></span>		<span id="historical-market-and-auction-record"></span>

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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 1343 Prince Classic}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 1343 Prince Classic}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
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	\|description=The 1343 is the Rolex Prince Classic — the unflared rectangular case that anchors every other Prince article. Launched 1928–1929 alongside the 971 Brancard, produced through c.1935 across silver, 9ct/14K/18K gold, stainless steel, and the 1343B Tiger Stripe two-colour variant.		\|description=The 1343 is the Rolex Prince Classic — the unflared rectangular case that anchors every other Prince article. Launched 1928–1929 alongside the 971 Brancard, produced through c.1935 across silver, 9ct/14K/18K gold, stainless steel, and the 1343B Tiger Stripe two-colour variant.
	\|keywords=Rolex, 1343, Prince, Classic, Aegler, specifications, reference guide		\|keywords=Rolex, 1343, Prince, Classic, Aegler, specifications, reference guide
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Klaudiusz: Internal linking: related references + component links

2026-07-18T12:51:48Z

Internal linking: related references + component links

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:51, 18 July 2026
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	The Aegler shaped caliber across all early Prince references is fragile. Christian Wass at Watch Guy has documented restoration narratives on Prince movements where damaged parts had to be CNC-machined from scratch because original Aegler parts no longer exist. Service history matters; a Prince that has been in continuous service across decades may carry post-period replacement components without ever being misattributed at sale.		The Aegler shaped caliber across all early Prince references is fragile. Christian Wass at Watch Guy has documented restoration narratives on Prince movements where damaged parts had to be CNC-machined from scratch because original Aegler parts no longer exist. Service history matters; a Prince that has been in continuous service across decades may carry post-period replacement components without ever being misattributed at sale.


			== Related references ==

			* [[Reference:971\|Prince 971]] — Brancard Art-Deco (1928–1938)
			* [[Reference:1862\|Prince 1862]] — 1928–1942
			* [[Reference:1490\|Prince 1490]] — 1928–1945
			* [[Reference:1491\|Prince 1491]] — 1930–1945
			* [[Reference:1527\|Prince 1527]] — 1930–1945
			* [[Reference:3361\|Prince 3361]]

			See also the [[Reference:prince\|Prince family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 1343 Prince Classic}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 1343 Prince Classic}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex 1343 ~~Prince~~ Classic ~~— Production, Case Variants~~, ~~Suffix System~~ \| BezelBase		\|title=Rolex Prince 1343 — Classic Rectangular, 1928–1935 \| BezelBase
	\|description=The 1343 is the Rolex Prince Classic — the unflared rectangular case that anchors every other Prince article. Launched 1928–1929 alongside the 971 Brancard, produced through c.1935 across silver, 9ct/14K/18K gold, stainless steel, and the 1343B Tiger Stripe two-colour variant.		\|description=The 1343 is the Rolex Prince Classic — the unflared rectangular case that anchors every other Prince article. Launched 1928–1929 alongside the 971 Brancard, produced through c.1935 across silver, 9ct/14K/18K gold, stainless steel, and the 1343B Tiger Stripe two-colour variant.
	\|keywords=Rolex, 1343, Prince, Classic, Aegler, specifications, reference guide		\|keywords=Rolex, 1343, Prince, Classic, Aegler, specifications, reference guide
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	\|image_alt=Rolex 1343 Prince Classic ~~two-tone silvered dial~~		\|image_alt=Rolex 1343 Prince Classic
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			\|published_time=2026-05-01T14:16:23Z
			\|modified_time=2026-06-26T14:37:54Z
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Admin: 1343: convert bare src- source token to a readable citation

2026-06-26T14:37:54Z

1343: convert bare src- source token to a readable citation

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:37, 26 June 2026
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	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
	* ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra		* ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra
	* ~~src-timezone-friedberg-rolex-prince-~~2001		* TimeZone — Paul Friedberg, "Rolex Prince reference" (2001)
	* [https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24632/lot/47/ "Bonhams Fine Watches 24632 Lot 47 — Rolex Prince Tiger Stripe Ref 1343B Glasgow 1929", Bonhams, 2018]		* [https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24632/lot/47/ "Bonhams Fine Watches 24632 Lot 47 — Rolex Prince Tiger Stripe Ref 1343B Glasgow 1929", Bonhams, 2018]
	* [https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25394/ "Bonhams 25394 19 Feb 2019 — Rolex Prince Ref 1343B Tiger Stripe Glasgow 1929 reoffered", Bonhams, 2019]		* [https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25394/ "Bonhams 25394 19 Feb 2019 — Rolex Prince Ref 1343B Tiger Stripe Glasgow 1929 reoffered", Bonhams, 2019]

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	\|image=Ref 1343 hero.webp		\|image=Ref 1343 hero.webp
	\|image_alt=Rolex 1343 Prince Classic two-tone silvered dial		\|image_alt=Rolex 1343 Prince Classic two-tone silvered dial
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