Gamal Abdel Nasser: An Egyptian Rolex President

 ...Rolex Leadership...

Gamal Abdel Nasser

An Egyptian Rolex President

Gamal Abdel Nasser was elected as the second President of Egypt in 1954, and he owned and wore one of the coolest Rolex Day-Date Presidential models during his presidency. 

Nasser's Rolex Day-Date recently came to auction at Sotheby's Auction House and it completely shattered Sotheby's Estimate of between $30,000 - $60,000 USD, as it sold for $840,000 USD. The dial on President Nasser's Rolex is described as being a champagne 'Claw' dial. Sotheby's wrote a fascinating overview of Nasser's Rolex Day-Date.

There are so many details that make this Rolex a magnificent masterpiece of horology. I would begin by pointing out the Arabic writing in the Day and Date windows, then I would point out the almost dauphine-like sword hands, coupled with the stunning "claw" indices. This model remains classic yet exotic at the same time, which is an awesome combination.

Below we see the included provenance letter that accompanied President Nasser's Rolex, which was written by his grandson.

In the photo below we see Egyptian President Nasser with United States, President Eisenhower, who was also famous for wearing a yellow gold Rolex.

President Eisenhower famously wore a yellow gold Rolex  Datejust, on a matching yellow gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet as pictured on his wrist below.

President Eisenhower really set the standard for world leaders to wear Rolex Political Dress "Tool" watches, and we see his actual Rolex pictured below.

The Rolex Magazine ad pictured below was published in 1964, and features Rolex's brilliant "Men who guide the destinies of the world wear Rolex watches" slogan which was developed by Rolex Marketing Director, René-Paul Jeanneret.

In the photo below we see the Arabic caseback engraving on President Nasser's watch which reads "Mr. Anwar El Sadat 26-9-1963" 

Condition Report

As Detailed by Sotheby's Auction House

Case: The case is in overall very good condition and has surface scratches and nicks throughout visible to the naked eye commensurate with normal wear and age. The case and case back have developed an even patina. The buckle is in commensurate condition. There is wear on the number engravings in between the lugs and a dent at 6 o’clock under the engravings in between the lugs. There are some light scratches on the back of the lugs from the spring bars being removed in the past. 

The case back is engraved Mr. Anwar El Sadat 26-9-1963 in Arabic is crisp. The inside case back has a service mark. Gold mark is clear and crisp behind the lugs. The buckle is engraved ‘PLAQUEG’ and is signed Rolex S.A. Please note that the spring bar on the buckle is generic and is not plated. Please note that the strap is not signed Rolex.

Dial: The dial is in overall very good condition. There is a small, light mark from oxidation above the ‘Y’ of ‘OYSTER’ and another near the date window. There is partial loss of luminous material at 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 o’clock, and full loss at 4 o’clock. However, the dial still has a Geiger counter reading. Some of the luminous material has detached from the plots and is present on the dial’s surface. 

Movement: The movement is running at the time of cataloging. The movement was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer’s discretion. Please note that Sotheby’s does not guarantee the future working of the movement.