192 Rolex Rare and Collectible, Datejust, Automatic Wristwatch in Steel and Yellow Gold, Made for the Royal Saudi Arabian Forces, Reference 16013

Estimate: €5,000 –⁠ 10,000

Model: Datejust
Reference: 16013
Case Material: Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold
Year: 1985
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 3035
Case N°: 8995505
Dimensions: 36 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case

Since the launch of the Rolex Datejust in 1945, for the following decades, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust has always been the modern archetype of the classic men’s wristwatch. During the late 1970s, Rolex introduced the calibre 3035 movement with the Datejust reference 16 000 series. The new generation of Datejust watches added the convenience of the quick-set date function. The present example of ref. 16 013 is a rare example of a due toned watch supplied to the Royal Saudi Arabian Forces. Rolex advertised custom watches with corporate logo dials as early as the 1950s, anyway dials with government crests didn’t become common until the early 1970s. From that moment on, the fascination of the Arab world with fine timepieces raided dizzyingly and that is further highlighted by the fact that some military institution and governmental departments requested and obtained bespoke timepieces bearing insignia or department names on the dial. The present watch perfectly exemplifies this practice. Manufactured in yellow gold and stainless steel and preserved in incredible condition, the dial of this timepiece is special having been personalized with the Royal Saudi Arabian Forces crest at 6 o’clock. These ’Royal Saudi Arabian Armed Forces’ dials were gifted to government officials from Saudi-Arabia and thus very rare to find.