Rolex Day-Date 1804 'Arabic Guilloché'

A platinum 1804 is rare, add some Eastern Arabic numerals and you have yourself a grail; but what if these markers would be applied on a Guilloché-finished dial.

If you pick up this piece you immediately understand you have something special in hand. For starters, by the sheer heft of this watch. As it is made out of platinum it is quite a bit heavier than your average gold Day-Date. The use of the noblest material is something one can expect on such a special order. Furthermore, for religious reasons, some Muslim gentlemen are not allowed to wear gold. The 1804 is par excellence a good fit since it is characterised by its diamond set bezel. The engravings of previously mentioned reference and the serial are very clearly readable and between the lugs at the 6 o'clock position, there is an additional indication of the material as it reads "Plat" above the 2.2m serial.

The most important part of this piece is the dial. Not only does it flaunt applied Arabic-Indic numerals, but the base itself is decorated with a Pyramid Guilloché motive. The juxtaposition of the flat markers on the dynamic dial is remarkable and aesthetically highly interesting. The dial is preserved in exemplary condition and the plots are not only all present but also discoloured beautifully and matches the creamy tritium in the hands. The day and date discs are naturally in Arabic.

We are excited to offer this Day-Date that has been residing in a private collection for over 15 years. The previous owner, a renowned UK-based collector, preferred to wear it with a domed bezel instead, but luckily enough he saved the correct bezel which was mounted on the watch prior to the offering. The Platinum President bracelet is period correct but was sourced and added to the watch later on. After extensive research we can only track down one other example with this specific dial, unfortunately housed in a case that is too early for this "T Swiss T"-signed dial. So this might be the only piece out there in correct configuration, dating back to 1969.