Commonly referred to as the “President’s watch,” the Rolex Day-Date has garnered iconic status since its initial release in 1956. Predominantly encased in precious metals (with a few exceptions in stainless steel) the Day-Date is one of the most diverse range of wristwatches that Rolex has to offer, with examples in varying sizes, case and dial materials, dial configurations, and with dazzling gem-setting.

Each Day-Date can be broken down into its constituent parts: dial, bezel, and case material. Different numbers in the reference number engraved between the lugs reflect the choice of case material and bezel choice. Rolex has always mixed and match these elements to create audacious outcomes, and the present 18389 can be broken down into such: 183 (Day-Date, the model), 8 (Gem-set, the bezel), and 9 (18K white gold, the case material).

Three elements set this particular Day-Date beyond its already rare combination: one, the sapphire and diamond-set “string dial”; two, the presence of the engraved Khanjar on the caseback (part of a selection of watches made on special request from His Majesty Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the Sultan of Oman, and presented as gifts to his closest dignitaries and servants); and three, the Arabic language day wheel that is rare in its own right and ties back to the Khanjar emblem.

Such an aesthetically appealing and objectively rare Rolex timepiece is worthy of notice in today’s market, especially considering its outstanding state of preservation. One more element elevates its rarity and importance – the inclusion of a punched Rolex guarantee with country code for Oman and the Omani retailer Khimji Ramdas stamp.