DAY-DATE 'QABOOS' MODEL, REF. 1802, CASE NO. 3'781'730, CIRCA 1974

The Rolex Day-Date reference 1802 stands out within the vintage “1800 series” for its understated elegance, defined by its smooth, polished bezel rather than the more common fluted or bark-textured alternatives. Produced primarily in the 1960s and 1970s, the 1802 retains all the hallmarks that made the Day-Date an icon—precious-metal construction, automatic chronometer movement, and the distinctive day and ate windows—yet presents them in a refined, minimalist aesthetic that appeals to purists. Its cleaner lines highlight the dial and case architecture, giving it a timeless, almost dress-watch character. Collectors prize the 1802 not only for its relative rarity compared to other references of the era but also for the variety of dial configurations it was offered in, from classic champagne to exotic hardstones. Today, the Rolex 1802 is celebrated as a subtle, sophisticated expression of mid-century Day-Date design, representing the purity of the model before later stylistic evolutions took hold.

'Qaboos' Dials
Rolex “Arab”-market signed dials, especially those bearing the signature of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, occupy a rare and highly coveted niche in Rolex scholarship and collecting. These special-order pieces were often commissioned through Khimji Ramdas—Rolex’s long-standing authorized dealer in Oman—whose “K.R.” stamp appears on the casebacks of many examples, confirming their royal or governmental provenance. Beyond their inherent rarity, these watches carry deep historical resonance: the dials can feature the Sultan’s distinctive signature, Omani Khanjars, and Eastern Arabic day and date wheels, all emblematic of the region’s cultural identity and its tradition of gifting luxury timepieces to dignitaries, military officers, and statesmen. Today, these Omani-signed Rolexes represent some of the most collectible Middle Eastern special commissions ever produced, prized not only for their exotic aesthetics but also for their direct connection to geopolitical history and the personal legacy of Sultan Qaboos himself.