Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1973
    Reference No: 1680
    Movement No: D'619'718
    Case No: 3'566'317
    Model Name: Submariner
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster, max. length 195 mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed, inside case back with repeated serial number 3566317 and UK import marks for 1973
    Accessories: Accompanied by its original presentation box with inscription "By appointment: To H.M. Qaboos Bin Said. Jewellers Goldsmiths Silversmiths Asprey PLC, New Bond Street, London" and Khanjar emblem, and outer packaging.
    Literature: A similar watch, but with the Omani Khanjar, is illustrated in John Goldberger's 100 Superlative Rolex Watches, pg. 188

  • Catalogue Essay

    This highly important Rolex reference 1680 bearing the Qaboos signature at 6 o’clock was made in the early 1970s for the Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said Al Said.

    The yellow gold reference 1680 is fitted with a beautiful and desirable blue dial and bezel. The dial features gold applied luminous hour markers, with gilt colored writing.

    The present example was retailed by famous London jeweler Asprey, who at the time was the Middle Eastern distributor for Rolex of personalized watches destined to Oman. There are UK hallmarks stamped on the side of the clasp, as well as inside of the caseback. Additionally, the serial number engraving commonly found in between the lugs, is also seen inside the caseback, as well as inside the clasp of the bracelet. With so few examples known to date, this watch is sure to please all Rolex collectors alike.

    Yellow gold submariners of reference 1680 for the Omani market are exceedingly rare, and are all within a very narrow span of serial numbers. For another example of this model, but with the Khanjar on the dial, and with serial number 3566312 see John Goldberger's 100 Superlative Rolex Watches, pg. 188.

  • 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. 1680
A very rare and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with centre seconds, date and bracelet, retailed by Asprey and made for the Sultanate of Oman

1973
39.5mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed, inside case back with repeated serial number 3566317 and UK import marks for 1973

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 

Sold for CHF100,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm