The Rolex Oysterdate is an admittedly utilitarian watch. Refined and free from excess like a lot of other Rolex models, it is a tool watch in its purest form. Launched as the ref. 6094 in Rolex’s busiest year, 1953, it featured the manual-wind cal. 1215. This was eventually upgraded to the cal. 1225 that powered the reference we have here, the ref. 6694 that debuted in the early 1960s. Svelte by today’s proportions, the Oysterdate was sold as an entry-level version of the Datejust, with its 2mm smaller 34mm case and manual movement allowing its retail price to be that bit more palatable. This more accessible price worked in enabling groups to purchase the watch, just like the Kuwaiti Royal Family, who bought this particular example in 1966 to have its dial stamped with the name of Abdullah Al Jaber Al Sabah, Kuwait’s fifth king who would go on to have a massive impact on the development of Kuwait, with his diplomatic efforts seeing the Ottoman Empire supply Kuwait with drinking water, along with helping the country work through several natural disasters and even minting the country’s first coins. A legendary Kuwaiti leader, this Rolex celebrates his impact on Kuwait and serves as a reminder of Rolex’s status as the watch that these royal families used to mark the reign of their previous members.

Watch is in very good overall condition. Case is in excellent condition with minimal surface wear- it has been polished over the years but retains thick lugs and a sharp bezel. Black gilt dial is in overall very good condition. It has light even spotting on the surface, and lume plots that are aged and slightly broken. Dial script says "Abdullah Bin Jabir Al Sabah King of Kuwait". There are 11 links total, and the band has light stretch.

The intertwining of Rolex's history with the Middle East's royal families is a tale seemingly as old as time, with pieces just like this example enjoying enormous fanfare from collectors dedicated to owning these special-order pieces of horological history.