ROLEX. A VERY FINE AND RARE 18K WHITE GOLD AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DAY, DATE, DIAMOND-SET DIAL WITH RED KHANJAR AND BRACELET, MADE FOR THE SULTANATE OF OMAN

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ROLEXWhite Gold Day-Date Ref. 1803 Diamond-Set Dial With Red KhanjarHis Late Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said The longest-serving leader in the Middle East and Arab world until his passing on the 10th January 2020, Sultan Qaboos was born on 18th November 1940 in Salalah, Dhofar, His Majesty was the only son of Sultan Said bin Taimur and Princess Mazoon al-Mashani. His education took place in Salalah, India, where he studied under Dhayal Sharma, the former President of India, and eventually in England. At the age of 20, he began his military training and joined the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, eventually serving in Germany for one year in the Scottish Rifles. His Majesty ascended to the throne on 23rd July 1970. An absolute monarch, he proved himself a successful ruler, using the revenues obtained from oil to modernize his country. With his guidance, his country and subjects enjoyed countless advances, both social and technological. Oman has strengthened international relations, both in the Middle Eastern area, and on a more global scale. Newspapers are now permitted and schools, highways, hotels and shopping centres have been built. A substantial amount of money is now spent on healthcare and education. Recently, the Sultan also permitted parliamentary elections, during which women were allowed to vote and be elected. The parliament enjoys legislative powers. The foreign policy of his Majesty was formal neutrality. Oman has good relationships with Iran as well as Britain and USA. As a result, His Majesty Qaboos often acted as intermediary between Iran and USA. Beyond his enthusiasm for watches, the Sultan's interests also included music. He was an avid fan of classical music, with a particular penchant for the pipe organ. The Omani orchestra is one of the most appreciated in Middle East.The Khanjar Stability came to Oman only after the end of the Dhofar rebellion in 1976 with the help of Iranian, Jordanian and British forces. It was leading up to and during this period that Sultan Qaboos was ordering watches from Patek Philippe, Rolex and Audemars Piguet via Asprey in London who, having direct access to him, coordinated the commissions and supplied the final purchases. Naturally these special watches were personalized with Oman’s “Khanjar” emblem making them very special and highly prized gifts for those lucky enough to receive them.

ROLEX. A VERY FINE AND RARE 18K WHITE GOLD AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DAY, DATE, DIAMOND-SET DIAL WITH RED KHANJAR AND BRACELET, MADE FOR THE SULTANATE OF OMAN

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL, DAY-DATE, REF. 1803, CASE NO. 4’086’361, CIRCA 1975

Details

ROLEX. A VERY FINE AND RARE 18K WHITE GOLD AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DAY, DATE, DIAMOND-SET DIAL WITH RED KHANJAR AND BRACELET, MADE FOR THE SULTANATE OF OMAN
SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL, DAY-DATE, REF. 1803, CASE NO. 4’086’361, CIRCA 1975
Movement: cal. 1556, automatic, 26 jewels, signed
Dial: signed
Case: screw back, inside case back stamped 1803, 36 mm. diam., signed
With: 18K white gold Rolex President bracelet and deployant clasp, overall length of approx. 195 mm.

Special Notice

On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT will be charged at 7.7% on both the premium as well as the hammer price.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Sabine Kegel

skegel@christies.com +41 (0)22 319 1723

Lot Essay

The property of an important private collector, the present Day-Date model is part of the rare wristwatches especially made for the Sultanate of Oman. Made in white gold and bestowed with the rare and desirable red Khanjar to its dial, it will appeal to collectors searching for timepieces set apart from their contemporaries.

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