Vintage Baume & Mercier Wristwatch – King Ibn Saud Portrait Saudi Arabia Emblem

This wristwatch is a historically significant timepiece that serves as a artifact of Saudi Arabian diplomatic and royal history. The dial prominently features two key symbols:

• Portrait of King Abdulaziz (Ibn Saud): Positioned within a circular medallion, this is a portrait of Abdulaziz Al Saud (1875–1953), the founder and first monarch of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

• Emblem of Saudi Arabia: The green palm tree, situated to the right of the dial, is a core component of the Saudi national emblem. The full emblem, adopted in 1950, features a palm tree over two crossed swords, representing vitality, growth, and the defense of the faith.

The combination of the reigning monarch’s likeness and the national emblem strongly suggests that this watch was commissioned by the Saudi Royal Court. Such timepieces were typically created as “presentation watches.” These high-quality items were not commercially available; rather, they were custom-ordered from prestigious Swiss manufactures, such as Baume & Mercier, to be presented by the King or senior members of the royal family as distinguished diplomatic gifts.

These awards were bestowed upon:

1. Visiting Dignitaries and Heads of State: To commemorate official state visits and solidify international relations.

2. Foreign Ambassadors and Diplomats: Upon the completion of their service in the Kingdom.

3. Key Advisors and High-Ranking Officials: Within the Saudi government or military, as a mark of royal favor and distinction.

The historical period reflected by the portrait of King Abdulaziz, combined with the adoption of the palm emblem in the mid-20th century, places the likely production of this watch between the late 1940s and the early 1950s.

Technical Details and Authenticity Analysis

Based on the provided images, this is a detailed analysis of the timepiece:

• The Dial: The off-white dial features prominent black Roman numeral hour markers (I–XII) and a minute/second track with Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals. The center of the dial bears the branding for “BAUME & MERCIER GENEVE” beneath their Greek letter Phi logo (Φ). The central positioning of the custom-printed portrait and emblem are characteristic of high-quality period customization. The blued steel hands show patina and oxidation consistent with an antique timepiece.

• The Movement (Reference image_2.png): The watch is powered by a standard, Swiss-made manual-wind mechanical movement, which appears in a clean, serviced condition relative to the case. The barrel bridge is clearly stamped “15 RUBIS” (15 Jewels). It features a typical mid-century bridge layout, a traditional balance wheel assembly with regulator indexing (marked F/S for Fast/Slow and A/R for Avance/Retard), and a ratchet wheel with a sunburst finish. The “15 Rubis” count is typical for high-quality, durable utility movements of this era.

• The Case and Case Back: The watch features a stainless steel case and a polished, solid steel case back.

  • Case Back Markings (Reference image_1.png): The exterior of the case back is marked in French, “FOND ACIER INOXYDABLE”, which translates to “Stainless Steel Back.” 32mm case,38mm lug to lug

  • Internal Case Serial Number (Reference image_3.png): The inside of the case back features a crisp, stamped serial number: 346556.

• Condition Notes: The external case and lugs show significant wear, scratches, and oxidation, indicating substantial use over decades. The crown also shows wear. The black leather strap appears to be a modern replacement.

The watch comes with an APPRAISAL CERTIFICATE FOR $3500