Following the success of Christie’s Geneva watch auctions in November 2022, which totalled CHF 55,548,348 and had sell-through rates of 100% and 99.11%, Christie’s is proud to present the Rare Watches auction, including a compelling selection of wristwatches from Rolex, Patek Philippe, F.P.Journe, Cartier and many more, taking place 13 May.

As the top selling site for Rolex timepieces, with highlights including a rare ‘Oman’ section featuring 7 vintage and modern Rolexes, properties of various owners, each made at the request of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said (1940-2020), the Sultan of Oman.

These pieces include the Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665, and the Daytonas Ref. 6263, Ref. 6265 and Ref. 6269. It’s unusual for such a number of Omani models showcasing the Khanjar emblem or the signature of the Sultan himself to be offered, each in near perfect condition.

Lot 28 – Rolex Ref. 1665 Sea-Dweller, with ‘Qaboos’ dial, made for the Sultan of Oman. Circa 1973.

This exceedingly rare museum-worthy wristwatch is probably the finest example ever to be offered at auction, from the ultra-crisp angles, finishes and inscriptions of the case to the untouched, naturally age-patinaed bezel insert.

The dial features the bright red signature of His Majesty Qaboos Bin Said, combined with tritium indexes which have developed a rich deep sand-coloured patina.

One of the most interesting aspects of Rolex watches made for the Sultan of Oman in the 1970s is that the dials were specially designed only for the Omani models; for example the characteristic inscriptions for depth rating and ‘Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified’ of the standard 1665s Sea-Dweller of the period were removed to spotlight the red Qaboos signature.

Estimate: CHF200,000-300,000

Lot 29 – Rolex Daytona Ref. 6263, made for the Sultan of Oman. Circa 1974.

One of only four known examples of its type, this stainless steel Ref. 6263 Cosmograph was retailed by Asprey.

This timepiece not only bears the signature of the Sultan of Oman in red on the dial, however also features a case that is engraved inside with the serial number and a caseback engraved with the signature of Asprey. It was made in 1974.

Estimate: CHF600,000-1,200,000

Lot 30 – Rolex Daytona Ref. 6265, made for the Sultan of Oman. Circa 1978.

This 18k gold Ref. 6265 made for Sultan Qaboos Bin Said of Oman is in excellent overall condition and still has the original Rolex reference sticker on the caseback. It is also furnished with a sumptuous Asprey Geneva red suede fitted box and accompanied by a pair of specially-made Caran d’Ache pens also emblazoned with the Omani Khanjar emblem.

It is well known that during the period in which this extraordinary set was made, all watches created for the Sultan of Oman were sold through the London firm of Asprey in New Bond Street. From the mid-1970s,Asprey operated a showroom in Geneva, at 40 Rue du Rhone, opened following the end of the 1973 oil crisis when the spending power of Asprey’s Middle Eastern customers visiting Geneva grew exponentially.

The present Rolex Cosmograph is one of the very few watches known to have been supplied to the Sultan of Oman by Asprey in Geneva.

Estimate: CHF250,000-450,000

Lot 31 – Rolex Daytona ‘Jack of Diamonds’, the earliest known Ref. 6269, made for the Sultanate of Oman. Circa 1985.

Consigned by a private collector, this awe-inspiring gold Cosmograph is one of only two publicly known examples of Ref. 6269 sold to the Sultan of Oman.

The other known example, with the caseback engraved with the Khanjar was sold by Antiquorum Geneva on 12 May 2013 (lot 518). The ultra-luxurious diamond-set Ref. 6269, the so-called ‘Jack of Diamonds’ is one of the most elusive models among all gold Cosmographs. Its caseback is engraved with the Khanjar emblem of Oman.

Estimate: CHF800,000-1,400,000