Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1972
    Reference No: 1807, stamped 1803 inside the caseback
    Movement No: DD648'122
    Case No: 3'554'055, repeated inside the caseback
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex President with bark finish centre links, max length 195mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp stamped RWCo with London Assay office Hallmark for 1974
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The production of the Day-Date reference 1807 started in 1959. Sporting a bark finish on the bezel and centre links, it remained in production until 1977. In 18k yellow gold, the present watch was commissioned by the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Taboos bin Said al Said. Since his ascension to the throne in 1970, the Sultan had watches customized with the Omani emblem on the dial: a dagger inside its sheath places upon two crossed swords. These watches were offered by the Sultan himself to foreign dignitaries and loyal servants.

    The present watch stands out with the Khanjar printed in black and white, compared to the more customary traditional color combination. The clasp hallmarks indicate the watch was imported into the UK through the London Assay office in 1974. From its royal provenance to its very good overall condition, the present lot is a lovely addition to a collection of rare and exclusive timepieces.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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112

Ref. 1807, stamped 1803 inside the caseback
A very rare and attractive yellow gold calendar wristwatch with gold bracelet, made for the Sultanate of Oman

1972
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 40,000 
€18,400-36,700
$20,600-41,200

Sold for CHF32,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016