From 24 April to 4 May, world-renowned luxury auction house Christie’s launches its Christie’s Watches Online: The Dubai Edit with over 135 modern and vintage timepieces ready to be auctioned for watch collectors worldwide.
Headlining the exceptional lineup is a noteworthy vintage marvel: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 4100BA ‘Maktoum Dial’, dating from 1980 and currently estimates between Dhs110,170-180,000 approx. (US$30,000-50,000).
Sheikh Mohammed’s name has appeared on vintage Rolex watches in the past, however, it is rare to come across his signature on vintage Audemars Piguet models. In this instance, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, one of the most influential watch designs of all time, features Sheikh Mohammed’s signature on the top half of the dial.
It was common practice among Gulf royalty and prominent Government establishments in the region to commission watches with their names or logos on the dial. These watches were given to individuals, diplomats, or business partners as state gifts or commemorative tokens. Within collectors’ circles, these watches were known as “Arabic dials” and are considered collector’s pieces.
The lot has a distinction carrying the name of HRH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, who in the 1980s, held the position of Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates.
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