Rolex is known to have created some of the most interesting, beautiful and unusual Day-Dates for the Arab States in the Gulf. The manufacturer's custom pieces date back to the 1950s, when a small number of Eastern Arabic discs were incorporated into Day-Date watches encased in the most luxurious metals, notably platinum.

With the introduction of the ref. 1804, this timepiece sets itself apart from the conventional "Arabic" Day-Date the firm had ever produced. The day and date are not the only features indicated in Eastern Arabic, but the indexes are also displayed in applied Eastern Arabic Numerals. This exotic gem is nicknamed the “Scheherazade”, and is proudly illustrated in Day-Date, The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo.

Today, Rolex continues to dazzle and surprise, with its unusual and beautifully finished watches. It cultivates and sustains its successful relationship with the Arab States by producing a multitude of special-ordered watches for the region. The present model, ref. 228206, is produced in exceedingly limited numbers and is only sold by Middle Eastern retailers, paying tribute to the diamond-frosted Arabic Day-Dates of the 1970s, most notably in its applied Eastern Arabic numerals, which is almost identical in design to the beloved vintage Arabic Day-Dates of the past. The watch is cased in platinum, a further nod to the original Day-Dates made for the region.

A few updates make this watch an exceedingly modern and fresh watch. The most obvious is the ice blue dial, which Rolex exclusively uses to complement its platinum watches. A statement piece, its 40mm case has a great wrist presence and gives the watch incredible weight, truly attesting to Rolex's ingenuity. This watch is presented in "new-old-stock" condition with its original accessories.