Today's offering showcases this very fine and collectable new-old-stock 18K gold Buren microrotor watch gifted by His Royal Majesty King of Arabia to Henry O. Dormann.

Mr. Dormann was a distinguished figure in the realms of publishing, leadership, and historical preservation and we have written a short biography about him below.

The watch is in a shadow box made by Mr. Dormann along with a photo of him being gifted it by His Majesty along with a caption on a note card that reads, "Presented by His Royal Majesty Ibn Saud, King of Saudi Arabia."

We are of the opinion that the caption is mistaken and that the ruler pictured is His Royal Majesty Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Ibn Saud's ruling son both from the features of the king in the photo and also because the special movement in this watch was not released until 1962, which would have been six years after Ibn Saud's death and would correctly correspond with the the reign of Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud who the photo resembles in our opinion.

This watch checks a lot of boxes - the movement is a technological marvel showcasing highly ingenuitive Swiss watchmaking. The 18K gold watch with the King's image on the dial appears new-old-stock with the original sticker still on the back. The watch itself would be highly collectable in this condition, and its association with the ruling King of Saudi Arabia with a photo of it being gifted make it even that more special.

Described by a member of the watch media as the greatest technical advancement in self-winding watches in 30 years when it was introduced, the micro-rotor powered movement allowed watchmakers for the first time to fit even thin dress watches with automatic movements.

The automatic winding system is kept powered by the use of a small solid gold rotor inset into the movement. Buren was a pioneer of the revolutionary microtor design still in use today by a number of companies. Later Piaget also sought similar patents. Patek Philippe and Chopard have used the technology for their exclusive and very expensive micro-rotor powered models.

We have left the watch just as it was gifted from His Royal Majesty after leaving the Buren factory.

If you would like one of our Master Watchmakers to service it please inquire.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement, although we cannot guarantee the precision of its timekeeping - we have tested it briefly that it runs - and a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity. Also accompanying it is a statement of provenance from an established auction house.

Included with the watch and display is a copy of Mr. Dormann's book Letters from Leaders: Personal Advice for Tomorrow's Leaders from the World's Most Influential People.

If you're a historical watch collector or collect items from world leaders, this is especially interesting. Or if you're a Buren, microrotor watch, or automatic watch historian or collector, this is surely the most interesting early vintage microrotor watch available.

His Royal Majesty Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud -

King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, born on January 15, 1902, was the second son of King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia. Saud played a significant role in the early consolidation of the Saudi state, participating in numerous military campaigns to unify the Arabian Peninsula under the House of Saud.

Reign as King
King Saud ascended to the throne on November 9, 1953, following the death of his father, King Abdulaziz. His reign marked a pivotal period in Saudi history, characterized by attempts to modernize the nation and navigate the complexities of regional and global politics.

Modernization Efforts
One of King Saud's notable accomplishments was his ambitious development plan aimed at modernizing Saudi Arabia. This plan included the expansion of infrastructure, such as the construction of roads, hospitals, and educational institutions. His efforts also extended to improving social services and healthcare, with the establishment of more hospitals and clinics across the kingdom.

King Saud's reign was not without its challenges. The burgeoning oil industry brought substantial wealth to Saudi Arabia, but it also introduced economic complexities.

Diplomatic Efforts
On the international stage, King Saud sought to strengthen Saudi Arabia's position through diplomatic efforts. He maintained strong relations with Western powers, particularly the United States, and played a role in supporting Arab nationalism. His tenure saw Saudi Arabia becoming a founding member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1960, which aimed to coordinate and unify petroleum policies among member countries.

Legacy
Internal family discord and financial issues eventually led to King Saud's abdication on November 2, 1964. His efforts to modernize Saudi Arabia laid the groundwork for the country's future development, despite the financial and political challenges that marred his reign. His attempts to balance tradition with modernization reflect the complexities of leading a nation transitioning from a primarily tribal society to a modern state.

King Saud's reign is often viewed through the lens of both his contributions to the early development of Saudi Arabia and the lessons learned from the difficulties he faced. His legacy continues to be a subject of study and reflection as Saudi Arabia navigates its path in the 21st century.

For more detailed information on King Saud's life and reign, you can visit the King Saud Foundation website (http://www.kingsaud.org/) and the Saudi Embassy's biography page (https://www.saudiembassy.net/saud-bin-abdulaziz-al-saud).

Henry Dormann:

Henry O. Dormann (March 5, 1932 – May 12, 2018) was a distinguished figure in the realms of publishing, leadership, and historical preservation. As the founder, chairman, and editor-in-chief of Leaders Magazine, Dormann was instrumental in spotlighting influential leaders and innovators across various fields.

Early Life and Career
Born in New York City, Dormann embarked on a diverse career path that saw him hold numerous significant positions. His early career included serving as the president of the United States Technical Developments Company, a division of the U.S. Banknote Corporation.

Founding of the Library of Presidential Papers
One of Dormann's notable achievements was founding the Library of Presidential Papers, which aimed to preserve and provide access to documents from U.S. Presidents. This institution has since evolved into the Center for the Study of the Presidency, continuing Dormann’s legacy of historical preservation.

Contributions to Media and Publishing
In addition to his work with Leaders Magazine, Dormann was the chairman of the board of the National Enquirer, at one point the largest circulated newspaper in the United States. His editorial expertise extended to authoring and compiling influential works such as Letters from Leaders, which contains personal advice from global leaders.

Television and Media Presence
Dormann also made his mark in television, hosting shows like "Around Town with Henry Dormann" and "Friends & Neighbors," where he interviewed various personalities and discussed leadership and community issues.

Legacy
Henry Dormann's influence continues to be felt in the fields of publishing and leadership. His work not only highlighted the achievements of global leaders but also preserved crucial historical documents for future generations. Dormann's dedication to his craft and his contributions to media and historical preservation have left an indelible mark on both industries.

Connoisseur of Time's Renowned Celebrity Collection:

This Lefty Gomez watch is part of our Celebrity Collection of watches that has been featured in GQ, Revolution Watch, Europa Star, JCK, Hampton's Magazine, Gotham Magazine, Vegas Magazine, Silicon Valley magazine and many others. eBay just recently partnered with us for an exclusive, special sale for seven of the watches.

The collection has been composed of 88 watches and clocks owned or worn by 45 iconic celebrities and public figures. It may be the largest current collection of celebrity-owned watches in the world. It us constantly changing and is currently headlined by timepieces owned by some of the most legendary Hollywood actors and actresses, musicians, comedians, and entertainers:

The King, Elvis Presley. (Just sold)

The King of Pop, Michael Jackson. (Just sold)

The King of Comedy, Jerry Lewis.

The Artist Formerly Known as Prince

Hollywood icons Steve Martin, Red Skelton, Martin Sheen, Burt Reynolds, Betty White, Olivia Newton-John, Bob Hope, Greta Garbo, and Mickey Rooney.

Legendary musicians Johnny Cash, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Janet Jackson, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, Kenny Rogers, ZZ Top's Dusty Hill, Don Mclean, Mountain's Leslie West, and Hank Williams, Jr.

Sports great and soccer legend Pelé, heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey, Yankee Hall of Fame great Lefty Gomez, World Cup winning captain and soccer defensive legend Daniel Passarella, and Green Bay Packer Mike Bucchianeri along with the game ball, signed photo and watch from the college football "all star" Blue Gray Game in 1940.

Further filling the current collection are watches from King Edward VIII and the Duchess of Windsor, beloved Hollywood host Ed Sullivan, renowned illusionists Siegfried & Roy, Academy award-winning actresses Loretta Young and Doris Day, Emmy award-winning actress Valerie Harper, Golden Globe winning actor Richard Chamberlain, Phyllis McGuire of the chart-topping McGuire sisters, Ian McDonald multi-instrumentalist English rocker for King Crimson and Foreigner, Elvira Mistress of the Dark (Cassandra Peterson), fashion designer to the stars Nolan Miller, and a watch worn by multiple characters in the television series "For All Mankind."

It also includes rare watches given by heads of state: A prototype 18K gold Buren Microrotor gifted by His Royal Majesty Ibn Saud, former King of Saudi Arabia; a Felsa given by former Libyan Colonel and Head of State Muammar Al Qathafi; a Longines given by Highness Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa former Prime Minister of the State of Bahrain; a Baume & Mercier gifted by the King of Jordan. All three watches are new-old-stock in presentation shadow box frames with photos.

Recently sold was a watch given a handful of years after the Civil War concluded by the Vice President Elect to honor an Army commander who went on to receive the Medal of Honor.

This is a significant, exciting, and constantly changing new collection you won't want to miss! Stay tuned over the coming weeks for photos of other special pieces from the collection!

To view the first few already up for sale follow this link: https://shop.connoisseuroftime.com/collections/our-celebrity-owned-historical-event-watches?page=1&sort_by=created-descending

Country of origin: Switzerland
Manufacturer: Buren Watch Co.
Model: Microrotor automatic with caliber 1281
Year made: c. 1962
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Microrotor Automatics, Date
Case material: 18K gold
Case markings (outer): Buren
Case condition: Mint with the original protective sticker still on the back
Dimensions: 34mm diameter (excluding the crown)
Dial: Silvered dial with applied gold baton indices, aperture for the date, original painted image of His Royal Majesty, original and untouched, mint condition
Movement type: Caliber 1281 Buren microrotor automatic
Band: Original, integrated 18K yellow gold bracelet with hand textured finish, two size settings, sized to fit a wrist up to approx. 8.25 inches on larger size, length could be adjusted by a jeweler, mint condition
Crystal: Acrylic, original
Servicing: None. We have left it just as it left the factory. If you would like one of our Master Watchmakers to overhaul it please inquire.
Warranty: 1-year international C.O.T. warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; Provenance from an established auction house; Copy of Letters from Leaders: Personal Advice for Tomorrow's Leaders from the World's Most Influential People.
Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide

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