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Old 9 April 2008, 02:54 AM   #1
sabatier.jm
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Icon3 Unique Rolex watch with royal armories

Hello,

I have seen an outstanding watch, a Rolex Oyster perpetual datejust, gold and steel model, with royal armories of Saudi Arabia, inscribed in arabic language (translation would be 'Naval Forces' or so ?). I was wondering whether it is actually a very unique watch ordered by some Saudi Arabia officials to the Rolex company ?
To my best knowledge, this watch is neither pictured nor described in any of the big books detailing the rarest models of Rolex watches.

Thanks to let me know if you have any information on it, including collecting value.

jm.
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Old 9 April 2008, 03:28 AM   #2
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Icon10 Here are the pics of it

DSCN5943.jpg

DSCN5957.jpg
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Old 9 April 2008, 03:43 AM   #3
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Icon12 Close up view

The same.
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Old 9 April 2008, 03:55 AM   #4
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If the dial is indeed Rolex, it looks like a nice collectable.
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Old 9 April 2008, 06:17 AM   #5
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Hello,

Yes, the dial is vintage Rolex, as is the whole watch (verified by Rolex). This particular watch has been specifically ordered to Rolex, to be presented to an Admiral by the Sultan prince (brother of the King), who was minister of defense of Saudi Arabia. Translation is NOT "superlative chronometer officially certified" but "Naval forces".
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Old 9 April 2008, 06:44 AM   #6
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I have been told that this is the unique watch of this kind. it was actually ordered and produced by the Rolex company for presentation to this high-ranking admiral. Any additional information ?
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Old 9 April 2008, 04:23 AM   #7
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Translation from arabic is probaly "SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER OFICIALLY CERTIFIED"
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Old 9 April 2008, 06:43 AM   #8
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lol. good effort on the translation though veefour.
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Old 9 April 2008, 04:06 PM   #9
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Interesting previous thread by PADI56:

In 1970, Qaboos bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as sultan of Oman ever since.The British (SAS) and several Arab Nations sent well-trained forces to assist the Sultan, and the rebels were defeated. Legend has it that the Special Forces suffered heavy losses, and only 7 Special Forces Officers survived. As a token of his appreciation, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said presented them each with a Rolex Sea Dweller ref 1665 with the Nations Coat of Arms printed on the dial in Gold. Also several Local Officers were presented with a Rolex Sea Dweller ref 1665 with the Nations Coat of Arms printed on the dial in Red. I am not sure how many of these were issued.Many middle east sultans had there coat of arms added to Rolex watches, in fact there is a special department in Rolex H/Q to oversee these matters.During the 1970s and 1980s it was not only Subs and Sea-Dwellers. They came in Presidents, Datejusts , Dates, turongraphs, and Airkings. Back in that era it was quite common for the Middle Eastern Kings to display their names and Family and counties Symbols all over watches, cars etc to these people money was know object.

Unfortunately due to the rarity and the huge demand of these watches from collectors and investors, many fake or doctored dials have appeared in the market place.The only true way to check if you have a genuine Oman Rolex is a movement and serial check with Rolex.A dial insignia on the dial without provenance is completely useless,to a serious collector.Unless he has the correct case serial, movement etc matching to a Oman watch or any other middle east sultan, or kings coat of arms, in the Rolex data base.What the emblem of Oman shows is a Gambia (Arabian dagger with sheath) in front of two crossed curved swords, covered with an arms-belt.

Now if that watch on the bay was a genuine Rolex dialled Sultan watch you could more or less ask your price,talking in telephone numbers.And now as rare as rocking horse s--t.And would not expect a genuine one on the bay we would be talking big auction house territory like Christies.


The serial number of this watch with Royal Saudi Arabia armories and "Naval forces" indicates a manufacture date of 1979.
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Old 9 April 2008, 04:27 PM   #10
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Here's an article written by James Dowling on the Omani Dwellers,

http://www.ukwatches.com/Notes/oman.htm
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Old 9 April 2008, 06:57 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike View Post
Here's an article written by James Dowling on the Omani Dwellers,

http://www.ukwatches.com/Notes/oman.htm
Very interesting article. Thanks.
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Old 9 April 2008, 11:37 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike View Post
Here's an article written by James Dowling on the Omani Dwellers,

http://www.ukwatches.com/Notes/oman.htm
Nice article, Mike!!!
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Old 9 April 2008, 05:27 PM   #13
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Fantastic! I would love to get a "custom" dial. If I had one put on, it would be the one below - enamelled!
It's so annoying - I just can't see myself affording a second one - too many people needing my meagre income (ex-wife....)!
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Old 14 April 2008, 12:50 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by entropydave View Post
Fantastic! I would love to get a "custom" dial. If I had one put on, it would be the one below - enamelled!
It's so annoying - I just can't see myself affording a second one - too many people needing my meagre income (ex-wife....)!
Well, no offense, Dave, but wouldn't the dial become just a wee bit busy with all that writing, including the web url at six o' clock??
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Old 9 April 2008, 08:12 PM   #15
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actually, it says Royal Naval (Navy) Armories
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Old 9 April 2008, 08:20 PM   #16
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heres a dial with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice Persident of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai)'s signature

and the UAE logo on top..

late 70's watch

one of these daytonas sold for over 100K few years ago in an auction

ive seen this watch in real life (brand new with box papers and even some plastic still on it)

many dials were specially made in the past for Middle Eastern Countries..



pic from time collection
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Old 9 April 2008, 08:47 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thani View Post
heres a dial with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice Persident of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai)'s signature

and the UAE logo on top..

late 70's watch

one of these daytonas sold for over 100K few years ago in an auction

ive seen this watch in real life (brand new with box papers and even some plastic still on it)

many dials were specially made in the past for Middle Eastern Countries..



pic from time collection
Thanks Thani, for the details.
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Old 9 April 2008, 09:03 PM   #18
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About 3 months ago I saw a GMT-II with the UAE logo on it. The asking price was Euro12,000.00
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Old 9 April 2008, 09:09 PM   #19
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I also saw a Rolex with the Omani Khanjar Coat of Arms in a pre-owned watch shop in Muscat.
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Old 11 April 2008, 07:26 AM   #20
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In your opinion, what would be the price range for such a unique watch at Christies' auction, taking into account this watch is actually fully documented: Admiral to who it was presented by Crown Prince Sultan of Saudi Arabia (Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; also brother of King Faycal), and special event of presentation ?
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Old 13 April 2008, 07:37 AM   #21
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There are some similar ones here between $4000-$7000
http://catalog.antiquorum.com/catalo...list&s_batch=8

Lots 72-74
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Old 13 April 2008, 06:18 PM   #22
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He Chris,

No custom dials on lots 72-74. Just classic models !

Is it alcohol in your cup :O) ?
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Old 14 April 2008, 02:56 AM   #23
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He Chris,

No custom dials on lots 72-74. Just classic models !

Is it alcohol in your cup :O) ?
Must have written the wrong numbers down, there is a few in the catalogue with dials from other Arab nations- just scroll through. I thought they looked quite similar- maybe i am wrong?
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Old 17 April 2008, 07:08 AM   #24
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Hi Chris,

I guess you are referring to the watches that are presented in lots 72-74 of the Rolex antiquorum auction. Although actually scarce, these watches are 'massively' produced much cheaper model Iraqi Rolex watches (NOT Saudi Arabia-related, as mentioned in the auction) for regular Iraqi army officers.

Nothing comparable to the unique Rolex watch ordered to (and produced by) Rolex for special presentation to a high-ranking Admiral. The value of the later is currently estimated to be at least in the 200-300 k$ range...and even higher !

Hope this helps.
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Old 17 April 2008, 07:27 AM   #25
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Interesting article.
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