.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The present reference 1611 is a very rare and well-preserved example of the much-sought after lacquered or "Stella" dial series made for the Sultanate of Oman. Its rarity is further enhanced by the green Khanjar emblem of the Sultanate, the unusual chocolate brown colour of the "Stella" dial and the case back stamped by the renowned retailer Asprey in London.
The inside of the case back is additionally engraved with the case number 3682371, a feature sometimes found on watches made for the Sultanate and confirming it was manufactured upon special order for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said.
During the early years of the 1970s there were no official watch agents in Oman and so almost all of the watches made by various brands with “Khanjar” dials were supplied through the ultra high-end retailer Asprey of New Bond Street in London and very occasionally through their Geneva branch.
Asprey
Located since 1847 at 167, New Bond Street in London, the Asprey name has become particularly synonymous with watches supplied to Middle Eastern royalty with special emblem dials and/or exotic gem-set cases particularly by Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet.
In regard to watches, it was really only Asprey who for generations had direct contact with this kind of exalted client and those clients trusted the company to coordinate their special watch requirements. In the 1950s, 60s and 70s and even into the 80s, outsiders, even the famous watch brands would have had almost no access or opportunity to deal directly with Middle Eastern royalty, Asprey was therefore the main conduit for that very important market.
The inside of the case back is additionally engraved with the case number 3682371, a feature sometimes found on watches made for the Sultanate and confirming it was manufactured upon special order for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said.
During the early years of the 1970s there were no official watch agents in Oman and so almost all of the watches made by various brands with “Khanjar” dials were supplied through the ultra high-end retailer Asprey of New Bond Street in London and very occasionally through their Geneva branch.
Asprey
Located since 1847 at 167, New Bond Street in London, the Asprey name has become particularly synonymous with watches supplied to Middle Eastern royalty with special emblem dials and/or exotic gem-set cases particularly by Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet.
In regard to watches, it was really only Asprey who for generations had direct contact with this kind of exalted client and those clients trusted the company to coordinate their special watch requirements. In the 1950s, 60s and 70s and even into the 80s, outsiders, even the famous watch brands would have had almost no access or opportunity to deal directly with Middle Eastern royalty, Asprey was therefore the main conduit for that very important market.