Sultan Qabus ibn Said of Oman

I just returned from a short trip to Oman where I stayed in a hotel nearby Muscat. I was quite surpised to be welcomed by his majesty Sultan Quabus ibn Said nicely showing this 3551 black compass moonphase.

In a nearby mall there was an other picture showing him also with the 3551. The pictures were taken in the early 90s.

It's quite remarkable that a king presents himself with a black aluminium watch and not with an all gold or platin and diamond loaded piece like his sultan-neighbours usually do.

He must have liked his IWC compass very much. I saw other IWC watches made for him (e.g. an Inge 9223 with his sultan emblem) and a few years ago there was a 3551 with koran verse engravings on the bay. I wonder it this was his 3551?

Enjoy the pics,

Greetings Hans-Conrad

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so, at least 2 IWC Porsche Designs were present ;-)

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Love it! Especially the last photo. (nt)

Great Post!....Thank You. (nt)

Very special, thanks for sharing! nt

That is interesting and an unusual watch >

for a sultan!

There may be a secret inside

This is a special version of the compass watch ref. 3510 (without phase of the moon) for the Middle East.

Unfortunately I do not know the meanings of the scripts and signs. Probably there is some kind of additional
meaning of the texts mirrored onto the signs on the back.

IWC offered alternatives ...

... for the very rich.

Here is another version of the compass watch ref. 3510, case and bracelet in Yellow Gold.

While the normal Aluminium or Aluminium/Delrin watch is very lightweight for a case with multiple backs, this one shows 216 g on the scale.

Only ten cases and bracelets were produced by taking casts from the normal version, but five sets were not sold and melted down later.

Thank you for the information

It is much appreciated Michael

a golden IWC of the Sultan of Oman

Here is an IWC Ingenieur SL automatic in 18 carat gold. The watch consisting of a gold coloured dial with a fine cross weave design with a cipher of an the the Sultan of Oman next to the 9 '0' clock position, 18 carat gold screw back case on 18 carat gold IWC bracelet with locking clasp.

Great post and addt'l info!

Thanks Michael,

for the nice pictures of the 3510 with the engraved koran verses. Not so long time ago such a watch was on eB...

Do you probably have an idea about the numbers of this Middle East 3510s? Was it a single watch or more than one?

Greetings H.C.

PS: The 3510 Gold is also very special ;-)

Wonderful information - great learning post (nt)

Very rare indeed

Hans-Conrad,

I did see only one other compass watch with Arabic verses. The two watches I know of are/were of different conditions and therefore not the same watch.

However, I do not remember whether the other watch was a ref. 3510 or ref. 3551. You may combine the appropriate parts to create either of both versions. The inner side of the mirror back should tell the truth.

Strictly consequent: some details

Even the frame of the compass is made of massive Yellow Gold, also the mirror back, which usually is made of
Titanium. Only some wear parts like the hooks holding the hinged case part and the inner parts of the folding
clasp are made of non-precious metals.

The bracelet and the middle part of the case show the "bark" decoration. Note the compass notch on the left side.

Finally: the box

Unfortunately I did not find any hidden treasuries in the box.