Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI Hong Kong Saturday, November 28, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1983
    Reference No: 16750
    Movement No: 1’049’444
    Case No: 7’625’368
    Model Name: GMT-Master “Omani Police Force”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3075, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Jubilee bracelet, endlinks stamped “555”, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “H”
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    It is not every day, that we discover a vintage Rolex wristwatch enthroned with a “Khanjar” symbol on the dial, let alone an example with a “Khanjar” symbol encompassed in a “laurel wreath” topped with a “crown”. Printed in white, that is indeed the emblem of the Royal Oman Police Force.

    Timepieces commissioned by the Sultan of Oman, his Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Saided, are adorned and respected by passionate collectors globally and has witnessed some of the most important examples achieving paramount figures at auction. This is perhaps because the history behind these magnificently rare timepieces has a beautiful and captivating story behind them.

    A watch enthusiast himself, his Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Saided commissioned Rolex to create specially ordered timepieces with custom dials gifted as tokens of appreciation from the Sultanate to foreign dignitaries and his loyal staffs.

    While most examples of Rolex timepieces with Omani dials resurfaced to public in recent years feature the “Khanjar” symbol stamped in various colours, examples that are stamped with the emblem of the Royal Oman Police force are extremely rare. According to our researches and believed by scholars, examples bearing the extraordinary emblem were only commissioned with Rolex Submariner ref. 16800 (which was first introduced to the public in 1982) and Rolex GMT-Master ref. 16750 (introduced in 1981).

    Extremely rare it is believed that there are only four known examples of Rolex GMT-Master ref. 16750 bearing the emblem of the Royal Oman Police Force, each bearing a 7.6 million serial and manufactured in the same batch. Furthermore, it is also interesting as all examples were produced in absence of their serial numbers repeatedly stamped inside the caseback.

    The present example Rolex GMT-Master ref. 16750 from circa 1983 bearing a 7.6 million serial is scarcely stamped with the white emblem of the Royal Oman Police Force. Specifically stamped in white as a colour-coded memorandum, it symbolises “Peace” and “Prosperity”. Introduced in 1981, the ref. 16750 replaced the long-lived ref. 1675 with the introduction of a practical quick-set date feature, with early examples of the reference featuring a matte dial and later examples from circa 1986 fitted with glossy dials. Regarded as a transitional model, the ref. 16750 was discontinued in 1988 and was succeeded by the ref. 16700.

    Preserved in attractive overall condition with a well-preserved dial, the present example with a black bezel insert is a formidable sight to behold. One of four examples known in the market, the present highly rare and desirable timepiece will certainly captivate the attention of collectors and admirers of vintage Rolex timepieces.

  • 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.

    View More Works

Property from an important European collector

1009

Ref. 16750
An extremely fine, rare and attractive stainless steel dual time wristwatch with center seconds, date and bracelet, made for the Royal Oman Police Force

Circa 1983
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$500,000 - 1,000,000 
€53,900-108,000
$64,100-128,000

Sold for HK$1,071,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001

WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI

Hong Kong Auction 29 November 2020