Oman Khanjar 228235 Rolex Day-Date, Pink Gold

This is that mythical object, spoken about by many in secrecy but never actually seen: the interesting modern Rolex. After featuring the first modern Rolex in finds a few months ago, I received a handful of DMs inquiring, ‘Are there any other modern Rolex you like?’ Yes. The Le Mans, and this. It’s a 228235 Day-Date, but look a bit closer. You’ll find that the day and date wheels here are in Arabic scipt. That is the only dial-side tell of the incredible level of rarity here. But flip it over, and you’ll find the incredible engraved khanjar with crown.

Many Rolex collectors sort of assume that Oman dials aren’t a thing anymore, and they’re right. But Oman Rolex as a category survives, just more discreet than ever. Rolex won’t tarnish their brand image by altering dial designs for any clients today, royalty or not. But they will still produced batches with custom caseback engravings for military units and the occasional royalty. The Oman-Rolex relationship began in ’74. The British government and SAS helped Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said overthrow his father. The Sultan was a great watch enthusiast and rewarded those SAS operatives with 6263 Daytonas with dials signed by his majesty in red script. This relationship with Rolex, through Asprey, blossomed and Rolex became the diplomatic gift of choice for Oman and its ruler.

You will find modern Daytonas, Submariners, and GMT-Masters with khanjar engravings on back. However, none of them have Arabic script anywhere on the dial. What makes the modern Oman Day-Dates special is that this is the last remaining Oman Rolex with a dial-side tell. I also quite enjoy that this Day-Date isn’t trying to be anything it isn’t. A gold Sea-Dweller is confused. The Day-Date set out as an object of luxury and, indeed, Presidential power. And so it still makes sense in Rolex’s increasingly luxurious-commodity persona. Except this one has a story and level of personality, a charm and character that is lacking elsewhere. That it happens to be in the most characterful pink gold (Everose for Rolexisti) with a green dial is just a gift to posterity. The only thing I can hold against this example is the protective stickers still pictured, which as we all know should be a criminal offense to actually wear.

In terms of condition, this is a 2020 example still stickered with its full set, not the usual kind of 1803 thing we talk about. So it’s perfect. And the set has its khanjar, which it must. It comes from a well-regarded Genevan retailer.