Lot description
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, 18k Yellow Gold With engraved signature of President Marcos in case back Model: Day-Date Reference Number: 1803 Serial Number: 1230179 Movement: Automatic Case material: Yellow gold Bracelet material: Yellow gold No original box, no original papers CONDITION Very good to excellent, appropriate for age. Minor superficial scratches from gentle use. The watch is functional, but a full service is recommended for optimal performance. PROVENANCE This exceptional timepiece comes from the personal collection of a close confidant and member of the government who served under President Ferdinand E. Marcos during the Philippine Martial Law era (1972-1981). This is a rare and historically important Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, made in 18k yellow gold. The watch has the iconic fluted bezel, a champagne dial with applied baton hour markers, and the signature Day-Date features: a day of the week window at 12 o'clock and a date window with Cyclops lens at 3 o'clock. The timepiece is equipped with the distinguished President bracelet. What makes this particular specimen of great historical significance is the inscription on its case back. The watch features the engraved signature of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, given to a trusted and loyal confidant during the time when the "Rolex 12" became a symbol of power and inner-circle membership within the Marcos administration as the authors of Martial Law. This group, made up of close associates and high-ranking officials, received similar timepieces as a sign of their loyalty and shared influence. The watch is not just a luxury item but a tangible piece of Philippine history, serving as a powerful and moving reminder of a complex and turbulent era. It symbolizes a time of significant political and social change, a period that is both controversial and undeniably crucial in the nation's story. For the discerning collector of historical artifacts and horological masterpieces, this Rolex Day- Date provides an unmatched opportunity to own a piece of the past, a treasure that speaks volumes about the Marcos years and the people who shaped them.
