Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 10, 2013

LOT 134

ROLEX REF. 1680, HAFAZ AL-HASSAD Rolex, "Oyster Perpetual Date, Submariner, 660 ft = 200 m, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified," case No. 5481014, Ref. 1680. Made circa 1977. Fine, and extremely rare, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel diver's wristwatch with Hafaz Al-Hassad signature.

CHF 15,000 - 20,000

HKD 125,000 - 165,000 / USD 16,000 - 21,000

Sold: CHF 23,750

Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back with matching serial numbers and crown, graduated bi-directional revolving black bezel for the decompression times, Triplock winding crown protected by the crown guard, crystal with cyclops lens. Black with luminous round, triangular and baton indexes, outer minute/seconds divisions, aperture for the date. Luminous steel skeleton hands. Cal. 1570, rhodium-plated, oeil-de-perdrix decoration, 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. Dial, case and movement signed.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

DIAM. 40 mm. THICKNESS 14 mm. This extremely rare Rolex 1680 bears the signature of Syrian president Hafaz El Hassad (1930-2000) who served as president of Syria from 1971 to 2000, it is more commonly seen on the Seadweller (Ref. 1665), but much rarer on the 5513 and 1680. It is interesting to note that this is the third Rolex sports watch with Syrian signature to have been delivered to the US. Similarly to other Rolex military watches it also has the full serial engraved inside the caseback.