Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 17, 2013

LOT 530

ROLEX, REF. 1831 PLATINUM DAY-DATE, STELLA DIAL, NO. 05, ONE OF EIGHT EVER PRODUCED Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Day-Date, Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified, case No. 5086932, Ref. 1831. Sold in 1977 to Iran. Fine and very rare, tonneau-shaped, center seconds, selfwinding, water-resistant, platinum and diamond wristwatch with stella burgundy dial, day, date and a platinum Rolex bracelet with platinum double deployant clasp.

CHF 25,000 - 35,000

USD 27,000 - 38,000 / EUR 20,000 - 28,000

Sold: CHF 206,500

C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, bezel set with 44 diamonds, plastic crystal with cyclops lens. D. Stella Burgundy with 8 round and 2 baguette diamond indexes, outer minute / seconds divisions, apertures for the day of the week and the date. White gold baton hands. M. Cal. 1566, rhodium-plated, 26 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws, hack mechanism. Dial, case, and movement signed. DIAM. 36 mm. THICKNESS 13 mm. Approx. overall length 175mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched

Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Known to be produced in 8 pieces only, the elusive reference 1831is the ultimate day-date produced in platinum on platinum bracelet in the massive heavy Oysterquartz case. According to our research it seems that these watches were ordered exclusively by the Shah of Iran to be gifted to dignitaries.
This story make further sense as the current owner confirmed that the watch was bought from a minister of Iran in 1983 and that the watch was originally delivered to Iran in 1977. The watch has since been kept in a safe in Switzerland unworn. This is the third known of the eight to surface to the market (No. 02 serial 5086929 and No. 04 serial 5086931) and interestingly bears the exact same dial characteristics as the No.02. Worn only on a few very rare occasions and probably never polished, it has been preserved in almost as new condition with all hallmarks and engravings crisp and deep. Weighing in at a massive perfect 300 gramms and a perfect stella dial, there is no doubt that this watch will hold a coveted place within any serious Rolex collector?s vault.