56 Rolex A special and unusual Rolex Datejust reference 1600 in 18K gold made for the Royal Saudi Arabian Armed Forces

Estimate: € 5,000 –⁠ 10,000

Sold € 9,750

Model: Datejust
Material: yellow gold
Reference N°: 1600
Year: 1972
Case N°: 3125934
Caliber: 1570
Movement N°: D181788
Bracelet: Leather Strap
Dimensions: 36
Signed: Dial, Case and movement

That first Datejust reference 4467 was released in 1945 for the 40th “Jubilee” of the founding of Rolex and was available only in 18k gold. At first Rolex was unsure if the new model, which they named Ritedate, would be successful, as it was their first wristwatch to feature a date window. However, it fast became Rolex’s signature and its most prolific and most enduring model ever. Over the decades Rolex produced many different references for the Datejust and many special dials with company, event logos, military insignias, Middle Eastern rulers’ signatures and probably many other as-yet-undiscovered extremely small runs for various organizations. Among them, there were the military forces of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia such as the Army, the Navy, the Air Forces or the Air Defense. One of the most uncommon logos that can be found on Datejust is the Saudi Arabian Armed Force exactly like the one present on this lot.
This reference 1600 with tonneau-shaped case has been realized in 18k yellow gold and beneath the lugs the stamps are very fresh and deep confirms the very good conditions of the watch. The satin silver dial sees applied yellow-gold baton numerals with points of luminous material at the end still intact. The cyclope shows the date at 3 o’clock and at 6 is positioned the crest of Saudi Police Force: the swords and the crown seem to come out of the dial due to the freshness of their three-dimensional color.