ROLEX. AN EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT 18K GOLD AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DATE AND BRACELET, MADE FOR THE SULTANATE OF OMAN

The Rolex Submariner reference 1680, as every watch lover knows, is one of the most desired of all vintage wristwatches. Of course, among the Submariner ‘family’ there are variations in manufacturing details that have resulted in fascinating rarities of which no more than a handful exist. It is these watches, of which the present watch is one of the greatest, that the world’s most exacting collectors seek to possess.

Of course a watch of this magnitude speaks for itself. One of the most interesting aspects of Rolex watches made for the Sultan of Oman in the 1970s is that the dials were absolutely specially designed only for the Omani models. For example, the dial of the present Submariner model has been redesigned so that the key characteristic inscriptions for depth rating and ‘Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified’ of the standard 1680s of the period have been removed to allow full prominence to the Khanjar emblem so creating an entirely unique and eye-catching aesthetic.

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 - A similar example with a Khanjar sold at Christie's Geneva in 2019 with case number 3'566'321.