Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1977
    Reference No: 1803
    Movement No: DD295109
    Case No: 5'152'454
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present watch is a beautiful example featuring a linen-patterned dial and a green "Khanjar" emblem at 6 o'clock. During the 1970s, His Majesty Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the Sultan of Oman, commissioned many watch manufacturers to create custom order pieces, many of which displayed the "Qaboos" or a "Khanjar" symbol. Rolex is best known for creating such special-order pieces for royal families or governments. The combination of the Khanjar symbol contrasting against the linen dial is particularly stunning.

    Of particular interest is the Arabic calendar wheel, providing another element of collectibility.

    The crisp and sharp condition of this watch is especially noteworthy. Featuring bold and full proportions, the top of the lugs are very sharp. The bottom of the lugs display deep hallmarks and the bracelet shows shows minimal wear.

  • 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. 1803
A rare and attractive yellow gold calendar wristwatch with center seconds, linen dial with green "Khanjar" crest, day and date in Arabic and bracelet, made for the Sultanate of Oman

Circa 1977
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 50,000 
€25,600-51,200
$24,900-49,800

Sold for CHF70,560

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com
 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva
+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022