The vintage Rolex world is a vast universe, which is why collectors are drawn to this notoriously secretive brand.

You can easily get lost within the Explorer, Daytona, GMT Master or submariner world. Each model line is an entirely own ‘universe’ by itself.

But within each line there is a top dog, a king if you will that trumps all other models. In the Daytona world it is the Gold Panda 6263 (of which only three pieces are known). In the GMT universe- it must belong to the 6542 Bakelite first generation. Within the submariner world, you have the king Submariner ref 6200 (speaking of non military versions). In the sophisticated triple calendar complications – it is the 6062 black dial with diamonds, also known as the Bao Dai.

In the Day-date world it has to be the 1831 known as the ‘Emperor’.

(Credit: Goldberger).

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The 1831 is unique in that it is the rarest reference of Rolex ever made to carry it its own movement.

Only 9 pieces were ever made, all on special order by the late Shah of Iran in the 1970s. All were made in Platinum.

(The Shah of Iran who was known to own the very best of what was available).

At first glance the 1831 looks more like a quartz Rolex . It is very square in shape and has sharp angles and lines. But the 1831 is a completely different animal than the quartz model. Ordered as a special order by the Shah of Iran, all 9 models are unique watches. Of the 9 watches, here is what we know so far. 

• Nr. 1 is made with a blue dial and was auctioned by Phillips in 2016 at the Rolex Milestone sale in HK for $225’000 formerly in the ‘My way’ collection.
• Nr. 2 is a red lacquer Burgundy stella dial (much like the watch above) and sits in the private collection of JG.
• Nr. 4 is made with a white dial and was auctioned by Christies in 2011 achieving a result of CHF 165’000.
• Nr. 5 is the watch above made with a red lacquer Burgundy Stella dial and was auctioned by Phillips at the ‘Daydate’ sale in 2015 for CHF 300’000.
• Nr 9 is with an Oman Khanjar and was sold at Sotheby’s in November 2018 in Geneva.

All Nine models share the same case, the same movement and the same heavy bracelet and hidden special made clasp. 

The movement which is unique to this model is powered by a Cal 1566 automatic movement, a special movement that Rolex designed for this case and reference number. The reference number 1831 and platinum marks are also visible on the case back (see picture below).

(Credit: Goldberger).

The bracelet is a piece of art on this watch.

Weighing a massive 290 grams in Platinum, it is thought to be the heaviest Rolex wristwatch ever made by the company. The bracelet reminds us of the Midas bracelet (designed by Genta) but the bracelet on the 1831  is thicker and also again unique to this reference. It is unclear if Genta designed it, or if it was a mix of Genta and Rolex design teams.

Notice how the bracelet seems to be integrated into the case (see picture below) which is completely different from most Rolex day-dates. Where most day – dates cases are round this one is square and had edges.

There is a smoothness from the case to the bracelet, it also almost seems as if the watch was made of one block of platinum.

(Credit: Phillipswatches).

The picture below shows the massive integrated bracelet best. This watch is a statement piece – no doubt about it. This is the Nr 1 blue dial that sold at Phillips Milestone auction in 2016.

(Credit: Phillipswatches).

Another view of the marvellous bracelet that give this day-date it’s unique look. 

(Credit: John Goldberger).

The clasp is also unique to this reference carrying again the platinum 950 markings.

(Credit: Goldberger).

If we look at the dial more closely we notice the following:

The diamonds are set further towards the outer part of the case than is normally seen with Rolex day dates. It is as if the diamonds are almost touching the outer edge of the dial (see picture below). A normal day date has diamonds positioned more towards the inner of the dial like in this picture here.

(Credit: Foudroyante).

At every angle the design of the 1831 is a masterpiece. 

(Credit: Foudroyante).

A front view of the 1831. It strongly resembles the King Midas Rolex or the Rolex Oyster Quartz but it´s looks are deceiving.

(Credit: John Goldberger).

Let us see how the 1831 looks on the wrist. Below the blue dial and Nr. 1 of only 9 made (Picture credit: Rolexpassionreport).

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Why this is a PAK watch

The ref 1831 Rolex was ordered by the Shah of Iran, known to have the most expensive and refined taste in the world at the time. The best was not good enough for him.

He thus had Rolex make him 9 unique pieces of the day-date, the most majestic of Rolex lines to begin with. Rolex created an own reference number for it, 1831 and it carried its own movement, unique bracelet and unique dial. All cased in one block of platinum.

The result is the heaviest production Rolex of all time. There is simply no other Rolex like this. A true PAK watch.

• Smallest reference Rolex ever made of only 9 pieces to carry own movement.
• All unique case design, in platinum of heavy links – making it the heaviest Rolex in the world and probably among the most expensive.
• Ordered by the Shah of Iran as gifts to dignitaries, gives all nine models of the 1831 Royal provenance.
• The 1831 in various models sit in the best private collections in the world: Such as the ex ‘My way’ collection, Goldberger collection and a prominent Middle Eastern collection.

While all 9 models qualify as PAK watches, perhaps the king of them all is the Burgundy stella dial. Not only is it rare (only 2 of the 8 are known with this configuration) the striking appearance of the Burgundy dial along with platinum case makes it the contender for the holy grail of all day- dates. See picture below.

The collector who bought this watch at auction with Phillips watches at the famous Day-date sale in 2015 for CHF 300’000 knew exactly what he was doing (apparently it went to the Middle East). Like it or not, he bought a trophy watch – one of the most important and rarest Rolex models ever made. 

I also think it is one of the most striking with its unique case and bracelet design. 

Below another picture of the blue dial 1831.

(Credit: John Goldberger).

Below Nr 9 made for the Sultanate of Oman as a gift presumably. (Picture Credit: Camillo).

 

An excerpt of the book ‘My Way’ collection with the Nr 1 blue dial watch, which was later auctioned in HK Milestone auction at Phillips in 2016.

(For Full disclosure: I might have an interest in one of the watches mentioned above).