The Story Behind the Rolex Khanjar Dial: Heritage, Rarity, and Collector Appeal
Among the rarest Rolex watches ever produced, those bearing the Khanjar royal crest—often called “Qaboos dials”—stand as symbols of diplomatic prestige and unparalleled exclusivity. These timepieces weren’t created for public sale or dealer distribution. Instead, they were commissioned by Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman and gifted to dignitaries, military officials, and close allies.
Distributed through the famed Asprey of London, these Rolex watches featured original OEM dials, subtly stamped with the Khanjar emblem—a curved dagger over crossed swords, the national symbol of Oman. With Rolex’s quiet approval, these bespoke creations bypassed the retail world entirely, making them some of the most elusive and desirable watches for seasoned collectors today.
Why Collectors Covet the Rolex Khanjar Dial
1. Rarity and Provenance
Only a limited number of Rolex models—primarily the Day-Date, Datejust, and select sports watches like the GMT-Master, Sea-Dweller, and Daytona—ever received the Khanjar treatment. These watches were:
Privately commissioned
Never available through Rolex boutiques or catalogs
Delivered exclusively as royal gifts
Their non-commercial origin gives them unmatched provenance, and many known examples exist in single-digit quantities.
2. Significant Market Premium
The market continues to reward these ultra-rare Rolex watches with high-value appreciation. For example:
A Rolex Day‑Date Oysterquartz ref. 19018 with Khanjar dial can sell for $70,000+, compared to $16,000–$20,000 for a standard model.
A ref. 18038 with Khanjar insignia commands $40,000+, nearly double or triple the price of its non-crest counterpart.
3. Historic Auction Results
These watches have made headlines:
Rolex Sea‑Dweller 1665 Khanjar: Sold in 2016 for ~US $516,000
Daytona 6263 Khanjar: Achieved CHF 1.2M (~US $1.35M) in 2018
Day‑Date Rainbow 18059 Khanjar: Fetched US $1.3M at Sotheby’s in 2022
Even a Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700 with a Khanjar dial sold for ~€1.3M (~US $1.42M) in 2023
The PR Timepieces Perspective
At PR Timepieces, we focus on more than just rarity—we focus on meaning. The Rolex Khanjar dial perfectly reflects our commitment to sourcing timepieces with history, cultural relevance, and story-driven appeal.
Aesthetic Subtlety
The Khanjar crest isn’t flashy or oversized. Often printed in red or gold, it appears discreetly between the 6 o’clock position and the center pinion. It’s a detail you might miss—unless you know what to look for. This makes it ideal for collectors who value understated luxury and hidden depth over overt branding.
Legacy Over Hype
Unlike influencer collaborations or modern-day “limited editions,” the Khanjar Rolex carries weight because of its diplomatic intent. It was created as a gift of state, not a marketing product. That distinction resonates deeply with those who see collecting as curation, not consumption.
Rolex Khanjar Dial Highlights
Origin: Gifted by Sultan Qaboos via Asprey, with Rolex-approved OEM dials
Model Types: Found on Day-Date, Datejust, and occasional sports models like the Daytona, Sea-Dweller, and GMT-Master
Market Premium: Typically 3–5× the value of their non-Khanjar equivalents
Auction Value: Have sold for between $500K and $1.3M+ depending on reference
Collector Appeal: Represent heritage, rarity, and story-first collecting
Final Thought
Rolex Khanjar dial watches are more than rare—they’re historical artifacts, presented not for profit, but as symbols of respect, alliance, and honor. Their combination of aesthetic subtlety, sovereign provenance, and extreme scarcity places them in a class of their own.
If you’re looking for a watch that transcends trends—a timepiece that reflects story, significance, and authenticity—this is where the journey begins.
Looking to add a Khanjar Rolex to your collection?
Use our sourcing services to begin your search for a timepiece that tells more than time.
