Importantes Montres de Collection

Geneva, May 15, 2011

LOT 535

Rolex, Ref. 1655, Spade of Oman Rolex, ?Oyster Perpetual Date, Explorer II?, case No. 3804284, Ref. 1655. Made in 1974, retailed by Asprey, London. Fine and extremely rare, center seconds, self-winding, waterresistant, stainless steel wristwatch with date, special 24-hour bezel, large orange arrow 24-hour hand and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet.

CHF 100,000 - 150,000

USD 110,000 - 165,000 / EUR 75,000 - 115,000

Sold: CHF 110,500

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, graduated 24-hour bezel, screwed-down case back and protected crown, crystal with cyclops lens, inside case back engraved with the case number ?3804284?, outside case back engraved ?Asprey?. D. Black with luminous baton and triangular indexes, outer minute/ seconds divisions, aperture for the date, red ?Spade of Oman? logo at 6. Luminous white baton hands, large luminous orange arrow to indicate the diurnal and nocturnal hours on the 24-hour graduated bezel. M. Cal. 1570, rhodium-plated, 26 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to 5 positions and temperature, shock absorber, self-compensating freesprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws, hack mechanism. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness 13 mm. Approx. overall length 180 mm. First Time at Auction


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

To the best of our knowledge, the present lot is one the rarest Rolex watches ever made with the ?Spade of Oman? logo. Only a few examples are known on the market and this Rolex Ref. 1655 is appearing at auction for the first time. These special watches were all retailed by Asprey, London, official Rolex retailer for the Arab world. All the inside case backs were engraved with the case number; the present watch bears the rare engraved ?Asprey? on the outside case back. The perfect condition of the dial makes this ?Spade of Oman? Ref. 1655 one the most desirable watches for collectors of fine vintage Rolex watches.