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拍品專文
Part of the rarest iterations of the Rolex reference 1680, the present wristwatch is fresh to the auction market and represents one of the most desirable examples of the contemporary Submariner.
Introduced in 1953, the Submariner model became one of the most recognizable watches on the market. While many variations have been created, some lavishly set with diamonds or precious gems, only a handful can command the prestige of the present timepiece. Specially commissioned for his Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said of Oman, it embodies the tradition of the Sultan to order important timepieces from the Rolex manufacture. The magnificent blue dial of the present example is bestowed with a golden Khanjar, amongst the most coveted colours for collectors of Rolex timepieces with Middle-Eastern provenance.
As there was no official Rolex retailer in Oman, many of these wristwatches, such as the present, were ordered through the United Kingdom and due to their special nature featured the serial number replicated inside their case back. The watch shows also the RWC LTD and RWCo. for Rolex Watch Company Ltd inscriptions which signified export to the United Kingdom, as well as English import marks.
Rarified gems in the world of auctions, gold Submariners with Omani Khanjars are uncommon finds and result from scarce orders. As a result, the few 18K gold Submariners found with blue dial and Omani emblem on their dials have serial numbers which are extremely close to one another.
Inherently rare and of historical importance, the present watch is amongst the most significant yellow gold Submariners to have been offered at auction in the recent years. Enhancing its collectability, the wristwatch is offered with a rare Pat. Pending diving extension, a true rarity for wristwatches made of yellow gold.
A similar timepiece is illustrated in John Goldberger’s 100 Superlative Rolex Watches p.188, with serial no. 3’566’312. Another comparable watch was offered at Christie’s Geneva in 2014 (Lot 200 sale 1401) with serial no. 3’566’318.
Qaboos bin Said (born 18 November 1940, Muscat and Oman), Sultan of Oman
The 14th-generation descendant of the founder of the Al Bu Sa'idi dynasty, Qaboos bin Said Al Said was educated at Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk, England, and at Sandhurst, the Royal Military Academy, in Berkshire. In 1970 Qaboos took over the palace in a coup with British support and exiled his father. He immediately undertook a range of ambitious modernization projects, including constructing roads, hospitals, schools, communications systems, and industrial and port facilities. He abrogated his father's moralistic laws and established a Council of Ministers (cabinet). He also made considerable progress in ending Oman's isolation by joining the Arab League and the United Nations, aligning his country with the moderate Arab powers.
The collaboration between Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said and Rolex started in the early 1970s with the Sultan's wish to show his gratitude to the members of the British Special Forces, SAS, who had successfully assisted him in his fight against rebels from 1970 to 1976. In the years to come he regularly ordered various Rolex models which were presented as gifts in recognition of a service rendered. The dials of these watches featured the Khanjar symbol predominantly in colours red and white, few examples in gold or green.
Introduced in 1953, the Submariner model became one of the most recognizable watches on the market. While many variations have been created, some lavishly set with diamonds or precious gems, only a handful can command the prestige of the present timepiece. Specially commissioned for his Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said of Oman, it embodies the tradition of the Sultan to order important timepieces from the Rolex manufacture. The magnificent blue dial of the present example is bestowed with a golden Khanjar, amongst the most coveted colours for collectors of Rolex timepieces with Middle-Eastern provenance.
As there was no official Rolex retailer in Oman, many of these wristwatches, such as the present, were ordered through the United Kingdom and due to their special nature featured the serial number replicated inside their case back. The watch shows also the RWC LTD and RWCo. for Rolex Watch Company Ltd inscriptions which signified export to the United Kingdom, as well as English import marks.
Rarified gems in the world of auctions, gold Submariners with Omani Khanjars are uncommon finds and result from scarce orders. As a result, the few 18K gold Submariners found with blue dial and Omani emblem on their dials have serial numbers which are extremely close to one another.
Inherently rare and of historical importance, the present watch is amongst the most significant yellow gold Submariners to have been offered at auction in the recent years. Enhancing its collectability, the wristwatch is offered with a rare Pat. Pending diving extension, a true rarity for wristwatches made of yellow gold.
A similar timepiece is illustrated in John Goldberger’s 100 Superlative Rolex Watches p.188, with serial no. 3’566’312. Another comparable watch was offered at Christie’s Geneva in 2014 (Lot 200 sale 1401) with serial no. 3’566’318.
Qaboos bin Said (born 18 November 1940, Muscat and Oman), Sultan of Oman
The 14th-generation descendant of the founder of the Al Bu Sa'idi dynasty, Qaboos bin Said Al Said was educated at Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk, England, and at Sandhurst, the Royal Military Academy, in Berkshire. In 1970 Qaboos took over the palace in a coup with British support and exiled his father. He immediately undertook a range of ambitious modernization projects, including constructing roads, hospitals, schools, communications systems, and industrial and port facilities. He abrogated his father's moralistic laws and established a Council of Ministers (cabinet). He also made considerable progress in ending Oman's isolation by joining the Arab League and the United Nations, aligning his country with the moderate Arab powers.
The collaboration between Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said and Rolex started in the early 1970s with the Sultan's wish to show his gratitude to the members of the British Special Forces, SAS, who had successfully assisted him in his fight against rebels from 1970 to 1976. In the years to come he regularly ordered various Rolex models which were presented as gifts in recognition of a service rendered. The dials of these watches featured the Khanjar symbol predominantly in colours red and white, few examples in gold or green.