Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO Hong Kong Monday, May 30, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1969
    Reference No: 1803
    Movement No: DD373681
    Case No: 1'912'208
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Black leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present watch is an outstanding time piece for a number of reasons. Most notably, the watch is fitted with an original Arabic calendar day and date wheel, which is incredibly rare to find. The condition of the dial can only be described as original, with the luminous perfectly formed and the raised gold and black baton numerals.

    The watch features a 'Khanjar' dial, featuring the Khanjar symbol, a part of the national emblem of Oman. Watches fitted with the Khanjar dial 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. The present watch is particularly astounding. Firstly, the serial number is repeated on the case back, which means that this watch was made upon special order from Rolex. The case back also displays London hallmarks for 1968, which is also correct for watches fitted with a 'Khanjar' dial. Lastly, the case back is signed "RWC Ltd" (Rolex Watch Company Ltd) which signifies export to the United Kingdom where a lot of Rolex watches with 'Khanjar' were sold.

  • 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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36

Ref. 1803
A fine and very rare yellow gold Arabic calendar wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and champagne dial, made for the Sultanate of Oman

1969
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 180,000 

Sold for HK$175,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO

Hong Kong Auction 31 May 2016