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Patek Philippe Calatrava Asprey Khanjar, 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Patek Philippe Calatrava Asprey Khanjar, 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Asprey (maker)
Date
1970s
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Diameter 33 mm
Stock no.
CUR63
Credit line
Dealer listing, Watches of Knightsbridge (CUR63)
Catalogue title (original)
Patek Philippe Calatrava Asprey Khanjar (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Watches of Knightsbridge (dealer), London (stock number CUR63), this is a wristwatch by Asprey, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Diameter 33 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Watches of Knightsbridge

Patek Philippe Calatrava reference 3606-1 in 18k yellow gold, circa 1970s. This extremely rare watch features the Omani Khanjar crest on the dial and signed Asprey on the inside of the clasp. During the 1970s Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman would commission these special order pieces through Asprey in London. These watches would feature both the Khanjar crest and Asprey signature which is held in high regard by collectors due to the provenance. This watch being a Patek Philippe makes it even more special as Sultan Qaboos did not order many Patek Philippe watches compared to other brands such as Rolex making it extremely rare. This watch has a 33mm case diameter and houses its original cal. 28-255 automatic movement with “Geneva Seal” stamp. The original Patek Philippe 18k solid gold integrated bracelet measures approximately 190mm. Overall the condition is excellent/very good with some small signs of age to the dial and bracelet.

Specifications — Watches of Knightsbridge

Reference: 3606-1; Movement: Automatic, Cal. 28-255; Case diameter: 33mm; Bracelet/strap: Original PP 18k Solid Gold Integrated Bracelet Signed Asprey

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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