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Lot Essay
An exceptional rarity with green jasper hardstone dial, this sensational 1978 yellow gold Day-Date is elevated to an altogether higher level in being one of the very few Rolex wristwatches fully confirmed to have been retailed by the great French jewellery house of Chaumet. Moreover, its importance becomes even more apparent because it was sold by Chaumet in November 1979 to one of the most prominent middle-eastern rulers of the past century: His Majesty King Hassan II of Morocco. The importance of such an illustrious original owner is matched by the aesthetic beauty of the watch and its other singular traits. Supplied with a sumptuous Chaumet suede-lined red fitted box, it is also accompanied by a pair of specially made Chaumet 18k gold cufflinks in the style of Rolex bracelet links which were obviously provided as special request for His Majesty and, together with the watch, are recorded in Chaumet’s archives.
The case back is clearly engraved with Chaumet’s stock number 2688RE which is confirmed by Chaumet’s workbooks, as is the sale of the set to King Hassan II: “In December 1978, Chaumet entered in its stock under no. 48335 a men’s wristwatch by Rolex, Day-Date model, jasper dial and engraved 2688RE. At the same time, Chaumet entered a pair of yellow gold cufflinks, “Jubilee” motif, under stock no. 48262. On November 10, 1979, His Majesty King Hassan II purchased these two references from Chaumet in a single case.”
This superbly preserved jasper dial Day-Date retains full case proportions and displays crisp sharp serial and reference numbers, Chaumet number and gold marks beneath three lugs. The French gold ‘owl’ and Rolex importation stamp are clearly stamped on the case back. The French gold ‘owl’ and Rolex importation marks 'Sté*R' for 'Société Rolex' seen here are only found in a few very rare instances and show that this watch was specifically sent to France to be retailed.
This amazing wristwatch and cufflink set gives collectors and all those who appreciate fine vintage Rolex the opportunity to obtain a rare and illustrious example of the iconic Day-Date in wonderful condition which features one of the most beautiful and sought after hardstone dials ever produced by Rolex, the 'Green Jasper' dial. Jasper, an aggregate gemstone, often consisting of quartz and chalcedony is particularly known for its smooth and opaque surface.
KING HASSAN II
Prince Moulay Hassan was born on July 9, 1929 and received his education at the Rabat Imperial College and later at the University of Bordeaux. When the French authorities exiled the royal family for 2 years in 1953-55, he acted as political advisor for his father. Recognizing his political gifts, the king wanted him at his side when negotiating Morocco’s independence in 1956, and later that year made him Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces. Prince Hassan was proclaimed Crown Prince in 1957, and King at his father’s death in 1961. King Hassan II was an ally of the West during the years of the cold war, acting especially as an informal political channel between the Arab world and Israel, thanks to the large Moroccan-Jewish community in Israel. Economically, he opted for a free market, shaping the national economy around agriculture, tourism and phosphates mining. While the early years of his reign were marked by a somewhat conservative rule, by the 1990s the approach was much more modern, to the point of setting up a Royal Council for Human Rights.
The case back is clearly engraved with Chaumet’s stock number 2688RE which is confirmed by Chaumet’s workbooks, as is the sale of the set to King Hassan II: “In December 1978, Chaumet entered in its stock under no. 48335 a men’s wristwatch by Rolex, Day-Date model, jasper dial and engraved 2688RE. At the same time, Chaumet entered a pair of yellow gold cufflinks, “Jubilee” motif, under stock no. 48262. On November 10, 1979, His Majesty King Hassan II purchased these two references from Chaumet in a single case.”
This superbly preserved jasper dial Day-Date retains full case proportions and displays crisp sharp serial and reference numbers, Chaumet number and gold marks beneath three lugs. The French gold ‘owl’ and Rolex importation stamp are clearly stamped on the case back. The French gold ‘owl’ and Rolex importation marks 'Sté*R' for 'Société Rolex' seen here are only found in a few very rare instances and show that this watch was specifically sent to France to be retailed.
This amazing wristwatch and cufflink set gives collectors and all those who appreciate fine vintage Rolex the opportunity to obtain a rare and illustrious example of the iconic Day-Date in wonderful condition which features one of the most beautiful and sought after hardstone dials ever produced by Rolex, the 'Green Jasper' dial. Jasper, an aggregate gemstone, often consisting of quartz and chalcedony is particularly known for its smooth and opaque surface.
KING HASSAN II
Prince Moulay Hassan was born on July 9, 1929 and received his education at the Rabat Imperial College and later at the University of Bordeaux. When the French authorities exiled the royal family for 2 years in 1953-55, he acted as political advisor for his father. Recognizing his political gifts, the king wanted him at his side when negotiating Morocco’s independence in 1956, and later that year made him Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces. Prince Hassan was proclaimed Crown Prince in 1957, and King at his father’s death in 1961. King Hassan II was an ally of the West during the years of the cold war, acting especially as an informal political channel between the Arab world and Israel, thanks to the large Moroccan-Jewish community in Israel. Economically, he opted for a free market, shaping the national economy around agriculture, tourism and phosphates mining. While the early years of his reign were marked by a somewhat conservative rule, by the 1990s the approach was much more modern, to the point of setting up a Royal Council for Human Rights.