SERIAL NO: 8'307'652

Entirely fresh to the market, this superb Saudi Royal presentation Rolex Day-Date reference 18038 with SNAS (Saudi National Aviation Services) logo dial has been consigned directly from the family of its original owner, Sir Adam Thomson — the founder and former CEO of British Caledonian Airways, one of Britain’s most successful independent airlines. Sir Adam was named Businessman of the Year in 1970.

A gold Rolex Day-Date with its iconic President bracelet has long symbolized success and confers instant prestige upon its wearer. For this reason, the gold Day-Date has often been the watch of choice for royalty, world leaders, and business magnates — a gift virtually guaranteed to impress. Even more special are the Day-Dates that Rolex, on select occasions, allowed to feature a corporate emblem or logo on the dial.

The present reference 18038, dating from 1984, is one of those rare and exceptional pieces. Originally delivered to SNAS (Saudi National Aviation Services), then owned by Crown Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, it was presented to Sir Adam in recognition of his role in establishing passenger flights between Saudi Arabia and the UK. The SNAS logo is prominently displayed on the lower half of the dial. Introduced in 1977, reference 18038 represented a significant evolution of the Day-Date line, being equipped with the caliber 3055 movement featuring a quickset date function.

Sir Adam Thomson was notably fond of this Day-Date and was frequently photographed wearing it. Now offered at auction for the first time, it presents collectors not only with the chance to acquire an exceptional example of the reference 18038 gold Day-Date, but also a piece with illustrious provenance linked to one of the most influential figures in British aviation during the second half of the 20th century.

Sir Adam founded Caledonian Airways in 1961 with modest capital, much of it raised from friends. Starting with a single Douglas DC-7, with himself as the sole pilot, the airline grew to become Britain’s second-largest carrier and a formidable competitor to his former employer, British Airways — then the state-owned national flag carrier. In 1970, the company acquired British United Airways and rebranded as British Caledonian Airways, or BCal. Promoted as an independent alternative for travelers, with a proud Scottish identity, BCal was at one point voted the best airline in the world in the early 1980s. At its peak, the airline operated 27 jets serving over 50 international destinations.