Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XII Hong Kong Saturday, June 5, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1975
    Reference No: 1802, inside caseback stamped 1804
    Movement No: DD777’108
    Case No: 3’873’767, repeated inside caseback
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Platinum Rolex President bracelet, max length 180mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Rolex concealed folding clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

  • 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. On another note, one may notice that the blue sunburst dial is of the attractive “Pie-Pan” style, which was used in the 1970s featuring a “stepped” appeal against the outer minute track with a “T SWISS T” designation at 6 O’clock, correct for the configuration.

    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 caseback is opened, the case number is repeated inside the caseback indicating that the watch was a special order made upon request from Rolex.

    Adding to its elegance, the blue sunburst “Pie-Pan” dial is further adorned with baguette and brilliant-cut diamond-set indexes. Boasting an attractive overall condition with crisp hallmarks and offered for the first time at auction by an important European collector who has kept the present timepiece in the same collection for over 20 years, the present rare example is a delight for lovers of vintage Day-Dates to add to their collection. A rare occasion, this is the second time that PHILLIPS is offering a Rolex Day-Date ref. 1802 "Khanjar" with a blue pie-pan dial, the first example was sold at Glamorous Day-Date in Geneva 9th May 2015 (Lot 10).

  • 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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From an Important European Collector

814

Ref. 1802, inside caseback stamped 1804
An attractive and very rare platinum wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, diamond-set indexes, “Pie-Pan Khanjar dial” and bracelet, made for the Sultanate of Oman and retailed by Asprey

Circa 1975
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$470,000 - 935,000 
€50,500-100,000
$60,300-120,000

Sold for HK$1,386,000

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XII

Hong Kong Auctions 5-6 June 2021