Looking for information about 1601 with Saudi logo

[Mithrilbike]

Hi. A friend of mine was given this watch around 1979 and kept it in his closet since then. He has the box, two hang tags, chronometer certification paper with serial number stamped on it, etc. as seen in one of the photos I took. It all looks real to me and it's in great condition. One odd thing I have never seen is the logo on the dial in Arabic script and with a green wreath surrounding a palm tree and crossed swords, which we think is of Saudi Arabian origin. Does anyone know more about this sort of watch. I am pretty sure it is a model 1601.

[jbreeden]

I do not know anything about the logo, but that looks like a real gem! complete set and a beautifully kept watch. Dare I say UNPOLISHED!?!?!. Maybe i can start yet another debate on polishing. Hope someone can shed some light on the subject at hand though. Is he wanting to sell or you wanting to buy or both?

[Mithrilbike]

He is thinking of selling it. Although maybe I should look at buying it! He is the original owner, wore it a few times, then put it away so I am 99% sure it is unpolished. It started right up when he wound it today and we are going to see how well it keeps time now. I was impressed with the condition of the watch which is beautiful and the fact that he seems to have kept EVERYTHING with it.

[calumw456]

If i’m not mistaken this is a Saudi Royal Naval Forces Crest.

Hope this helps

[calumw456]

https://www.assisandsons.com/watches...ust-1601-saudi

This might help as well

[jbreeden]

If i had the money and the price was right i would jump all over it.
I am also a sucker for datejusts

[crowncollection]

Nice piece


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[Mithrilbike]

Thanks for the kind words and information guys. I will do more research on that logo.

[Mithrilbike]

Originally Posted by calumw456

https://www.assisandsons.com/watches...ust-1601-saudi

This might help as well

Thank you for the reference calumw456. That looks like the watch and is a great help.

[RobW]

It says Saudi Ground Forces. Nice watch.

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[Mithrilbike]

Thanks for the information. Arabic script not exactly easy to figure out for the non-speaker!

[Dan S]

If your friend was given this watch, and he is the original owner, then I would have thought he would be knowledgeable about the logo on the dial.

In any case, various Saudi dials (and UAE, Oman, etc.) show up pretty regularly. Here is a thread that may interest you.
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=636386

[Mithrilbike]

He is absolutely the original owner and received it directly from a Saudi friend of his. He knew the friend's job title but not the exact meaning of the logo, nor what the arabic writing said. It was 40 years ago too. Thank you for that thread which I will take a look at. I am not exactly a pro at navigating this whole Rolex Forum website myself.

[Mithrilbike]

We were also sort of looking for information on Saudi logo's like this on ROLEX watches, which is sort of a different subject altogether and which neither of us had any knowledge of. I had no idea myself for example that Rolex made watches with dial logos like that so we were both wondering how rare/common/ or even fake such a thing was.

[Mithrilbike]

Originally Posted by Dan S

If your friend was given this watch, and he is the original owner, then I would have thought he would be knowledgeable about the logo on the dial.

In any case, various Saudi dials (and UAE, Oman, etc.) show up pretty regularly. Here is a thread that may interest you.
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=636386

After looking at that thread it certainly answers my question about that sort of logo! Seems like there were tons of them! Thank you for the education.