The Pearl of Bahrain watch sells at auction for almost Dh1 million

Patek Philippe’s The Pearl of Bahrain was in high demand at the Rare Watches auction conducted by Christie’s Geneva in May Manufactured in 1958, the timepiece was presented by Emir Salaman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, ruler of Bahrain from 1942 to 1961, to British businessman John Eardley Alcard. It is one of only two known examples that the ruler has ever gifted Alcard, who worked in the Middle East for most of his life, was involved in setting up the Bahrain Slipway Company, and advised the Emir on infrastructure development The previously unrecorded time-only watch is constructed from 18K pink gold with a rose dial and natural seed pearls, which indicate the hours.

Bahraini pearls are looked upon as some of the finest in the world, and have long been a source of national pride and commerce An important aspect of the Pearl of Bahrain is its bespoke architecture; the case was . More