Rolex Day-Date 1802

Rolex An impressively rare and attractive, Day Date, automatic wristwatch in platinum, with diamond set Khanjar logo blue dial, made for the Sultanate of Oman and retailed by Asprey, reference 1802.

An impressively rare and attractive, Day Date, automatic wristwatch in platinum, with diamond set Khanjar logo blue dial, made for the Sultanate of Oman and retailed by Asprey, reference 1802. This specific watch was previously sold in Phillips Geneva "THE GENEVA WATCH AUCTION: XIX FEATURING THE GUIDO MONDANI COLLECTION" auction May 12th 2024, as lot 51 for CHF 114,300. Few Rolex Day-Dates embody political history and horological rarity with the quiet authority of a “Khanjar” dial. Reserved for presentation by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman, these watches were never offered commercially, but bestowed as personal gifts upon a small circle of trusted dignitaries. The red national emblem of Oman, printed proudly on the dial, transforms what is already one of Rolex’s most symbolic model into a discreet document of diplomacy and power. The present reference 1802 is distinguished even further by its execution in platinum, the rarest of metals for the Day-Date of this era and an especially elusive pairing with the smooth bezel. The diamond hour markers, subtly larger than standard production, lend the dial a striking yet balanced brilliance, while the cool depth of the platinum case frames the rich blue surface with exceptional restraint. Adding another layer of provenance, the caseback is engraved by Asprey, the London retailer through which the Sultan’s earliest Rolexes were supplied. Remarkably preserved, the engraving remains crisp and legible, and the matching internal case number confirms a special-order delivery direct from Rolex. In this state of originality, this Khanjar-signed Day-Date stands not merely as a rare configuration, but as a tangible intersection of watchmaking, statecraft and patronage.