The present Rolex ref 6511 is more than a Day-Date but a timepiece that tells the story of great men of a bygone era. If focusing on the watch alone we can underline that is a very attractive and rare pink gold legendary Day-Date reference 6511; it is one of the earliest examples of this series ever produced, manufactured in 1956 as evidenced by the serial number 134660. However turn the watch around and the caseback reveals an inscription that makes the watch go from timepiece to historical artefact. The inscription in Arabic translates as “A gift to President Gamal Abdel Nasser, Fahd Al Salem Al Sabah.”

Sheikh Fahd Al Salem Al Sabah was at the time of the gift (late 1950s) Prime Minister of Kuwait and subsequently Crown Prince before acceding to the throne in 1965. The recipient of the present Day-Date was Gamal Abdel Nasser Hussei, Egypt’s second president (1954-1970). Nasser led the Egyptian revolution of 1952 and introduced far-reaching land reforms the following year. He is best known not only for the nationalization of the Suez Canal but also in his battles and reforms towards social justice, Arab unity, and his modernization policies. His presidency also encouraged and coincided with an Egyptian cultural boom, and the launching of large industrial projects.

President Nasser wore his Day-Date for numerous years until he gifted it in the late 1960s to Salah Asfar Shishtawai J. Dessouki, an Egyptian fencer who won bronze medals in three fencing disciplines across four editions of the World Championships and competed at the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics. Outside of sport, Dessouki had a career in politics. He served as Governor of Cairo, an Egyptian ambassador, and as regional director of the United Nations Environment Program and the Canadian International Development Research Centre for the Middle East and North Africa. He was also a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and chairman of Sinai Hotels.

Upon Dessouki’s passing in 2011 the watch was handed to his grandson who is now entrusting Phillips with the sale of this testament of history and change.