Eastern Arabic Dial 1806 Rolex Day-Date

There are Day-Dates and then there are Day-Dates that look like they smoke on airplanes. This is an 1806, which is precisely 3 better than the 1803 you’re used to. That 6 denotes a Florentine (sometimes called Morellis) bezel and case finish, which is a hand-hammered texturize finish. Florentine cases are equal parts tremblage and cross-hatch guilloché, but use neither technique, just a burin. The 1806 is approximately 1/100th the production of the 1803 and most went to the Middle East. But this one definitely did, on special order no less. This one of just a handful we know to feature what we call an ‘Eastern Arabic’ dial, with numerals, day, and date all looking very One Thousand and One Nights.

By 1972, which this example dates to, the Day-Date was already a success, desirable and a mark of power. Around the time the 6510 and 6611 evolved into the 18XX series, Day-Date varieties blossomed and procreated aggressively. Now, the Day-Date was available with discs in 24 languages, Stella dials, stone dials (in the mid 1970s), guilloché, and special orders opened up. Applied Eastern Arabic dials are all thought have been made on special order, of the same ilk as an Oman Khanjar but more likely than not ordered from the UAE with Arabic Hindi numerals.

Then you have to mention the Brick bracelet, which is like a President bracelet if that president is Gaddafi. It looks absolutely perfect on this 1806, not least of all because the Florentine finish runs through the links as well but with a mirrored edge for contrast. This absolutely would’ve been a special order and was the most expensive optional bracelet in the catalogue in the 1970s. There are many, many Day-Dates from the 1970s and the market is broad. But there aren’t many with immense character, story, and individuality. This 1806 is a Day-Date that brings you straight to the Middle Eastern desert and instills that same sense of wonder. What I’d give to be sheikh in the 70s.

This example has a fantastic case with defined edges. One of the things about Florentine bezels and cases is that polishing is always super obvious and doubly offensive, because the finish wears off. There’s none of that here. The dial is beautifully preserved with tan tritium pips that are matched precisely in the handset. Even the brick bracelet looks tight. I think it’s safe to say that this probably spent most of its life in a safe next to 100+ other Day-Dates. And it’s magnificent.