Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Phillips

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  • Condition Report

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1975
    Reference No: 1802 inside caseback stamped with serial number 3'873'774
    Movement No: DD714747
    Case No: 3'873'774
    Model Name: Day-Date "Khanjar"
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Platinum Rolex President bracelet, max length 180mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, outside caseback stamped Asprey

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present Rolex Day-Date is not just outstanding but an extremely rare example for a number of good reasons. With a striking appeal that is immediately noticeable, the dial is stamped with a red “Khanjar” symbol, a part of the national emblem of Oman. Watches fitted with "Khanjar" dials were made on special request from His Majesty Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the Sultan of Oman, and presented as gifts to his closest dignitaries and servants.

    While the ref. 1800 series of Day-Dates were encased in a variety of metals, the present example ref. 1802 featuring a smooth bezel is encased in the highly rare and precious platinum 36mm diameter Oyster case. Most interestingly, the diamond markers are slightly larger than the standard production pieces.

    The case back is engraved Asprey as the Sultan's early Rolex timepieces were only available at the London-based retailer. The Asprey engraving remains clear, crisp and legible, which is incredibly rare as most engravings have been worn off over time due to general wear and light polishing. Once the case back is opened, the case number is repeated inside the case back indicating that the watch was a special order made upon request from Rolex.

  • 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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Ref. 1802 inside caseback stamped with serial number 3'873'774
A highly rare and attractive platinum and diamond-set calendar wristwatch with bracelet, made for the Sultanate of Oman and retailed by Asprey

Circa 1975
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, outside caseback stamped Asprey

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 140,000 
€71,600-143,000
$76,500-153,000

Sold for CHF114,300

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection

Geneva Auction 11 - 12 May 2024