105 - ROLEX

ROLEX Datejust "Bahrain Public Security" Ref. 1603 No. 3906355 Circa 1975 Steel wristwatch Case: round, guilloché bezel, screw-down crown with logo, screw-down caseback, signed Dial: silvered “pie-pan T SWISS T,” applied hour markers with luminescent dots, painted minute track, gray hands, central seconds hand, date window at 3 o’clock, logo featuring the coat of arms of Bahrain and the inscription “al-ʾamn al-ʿāmm” (“Public Safety”) Movement: automatic, chronometer-certified, signed Bracelet/Clasp: steel Jubilee bracelet with folding clasp, signed Diameter: 36 mm Wrist circumference: approx. 17 cm We thank Ismaël Ricard for his kind assistance with the Bahraini coat of arms Condition report provided for informational purposes only: At the time of catalog compilation, signs of normal wear and tear; stretched bracelet; crystal with chips and scratches; dial in good condition with all luminescent markers intact; movement in working order; routine service recommended; no warranty A leading brand in the world of diplomatic watches within the Arab world, Rolex has become the standard gift in diplomatic exchanges in these regions. Collectors are familiar with the history of Omani watches resold by the famous London retailer Asprey, but Bahrain is no exception, with several watches from the Crown’s collections. Our example is a gift from the Bahraini monarchy as a token of gratitude to the Kingdom’s finest public security officers. It is interesting to note that the vast majority of “al-ʾamn al-ʿāmm” watches were Rolex 1603 models like this one, which shows that this was a small series of watches prized by collectors of diplomatic timepieces. Expert: Geoffroy ADER, ADER WATCHES