Vintage Rolex watches with specially produced signed dials for Arab royalty and the Armed Forces are amongst the most collectible timepieces today. The present Oyster Perpetual reference 1002 comes with dial that carries the gilt signature of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Only three other Rolex watches have been spotted in the public with the signature of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on their dials: a steel Ref. 6094 Oyster Precision Date and a steel Ref. 5500 Air-King, and a Ref. 1002 Oyster Perpetual with a black dial and gilt signature.

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was a member of the House of Sabah, the ruling family of Kuwait and the country’s first Minister for Education after independence in 1961.He is remembered for his great contribution to the improvement of the country and led an educational, cultural and enlightenment renaissance in Kuwait. He had a far-sighted vision that saw the importance of education and culture for the present and future of Kuwait. Opening public libraries, bringing the first antiquities excavation mission, opening the first National Museums and making arrangements for the establishing of the first university in Kuwait were but a few of Sheikh Abdullah’s achievements.

The Palace of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jabir Al-Sabah is a heritage site in the State of Kuwait. The exotic chateau-like palace built in early twentieth century has a desert coast setting. It was bought by the Sheikh as a family residence, thereafter converted it to the first national museum in Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf region, it remained the property of his heirs until it was taken over by the State and preserved as an historic building.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 1002 was produced between the 1950s and 1960s and was available in stainless steel and either 14ct or 18ct gold and is characterised by a smooth bezel.

According to the service receipt, the watch movement was overhauled in 1989. So the current watch does not have the original movement that it was original sold with.