Mohammed Reza Pahlavi's Watch Collection - A Glimpse into the Timeless Style of an Iranian Monarch
Mohammed Reza Pahlavi currently has 5 watches in his collection. Check them in our database.
Introduction to Mohammed Reza Pahlavi
Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was the last Shah of Iran. During his reign, he was known for his love of luxury goods, including a vast collection of watches. The Shah's collection included some of the most prestigious brands in the world of horology such as Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Rolex. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was a favorite of his, and he often wore it in public appearances. The Patek Philippe Nautilus was another notable timepiece in his collection, known for its unique design. The Shah's Rolex collection was also extensive, including the iconic Day-Date and Datejust models. Overall, the Shah's watch collection reflects his timeless style and love for luxury goods.
Mohammed Reza Pahlavi Spotted Wearing Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 3700
Inserted 04/05/2023
The Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 3700 was the very first Nautilus ever made — introduced in 1976 and designed by Gerald Genta, it revolutionized the concept of the luxury sports watch in stainless steel. That the last Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, one of the twentieth century's most powerful and opulent monarchs, chose this groundbreaking reference over the countless gold and gem-set complications available to him speaks volumes about the Nautilus 3700's immediate standing among the world's true connoisseurs.
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, The Last Shah of Iran, Spotted Wearing Patek Philippe Calatrava 3520/12
Inserted 04/05/2023
The Patek Philippe Calatrava 3520/12 is one of the Geneva manufacture's most underappreciated vintage dress pieces — a rare integrated-bracelet variant of the iconic Calatrava line produced in limited numbers during the 1970s, making surviving examples genuinely scarce on the secondary market. Its gray dial and flush yellow gold bracelet mark it as a refined departure from the standard leather-strap Calatrava formula. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran and one of history's most extravagant royal watch collectors, wore this restrained yet significant Patek with characteristic authority.
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Spotted Wearing Patek Philippe Nautilus "Jumbo" Reference 3700/1J
Inserted 28/04/2023
The Patek Philippe Nautilus reference 3700/1J in 18k yellow gold represents one of the most historically significant variants of Gerald Genta's iconic 1976 design — and production examples from 1978, just the third year of manufacture, are extraordinarily rare. This photograph, taken in 1979, captures the last Shah of Iran wearing precisely such a piece: a 42mm yellow gold Nautilus on the wider, fully integrated bracelet that collectors specifically seek out. It is a pairing of horological rarity and geopolitical history that is difficult to overstate.
The Last Shah of Iran Spotted Wearing an Audemars Piguet Cobra in 18k White Gold
Inserted 25/12/2022
The Audemars Piguet Cobra is one of the Swiss manufacture's most architecturally distinctive creations, its articulated bracelet composed of interlocking oval links that snake organically from case to wrist — a design so sculptural it blurs the line between horology and jewellery. The dark blue dial set with diamond hour markers and a discreet date window at 3 o'clock adds a layer of understated opulence. Spotting it on the wrist of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, reinforces the model's historical association with heads of state and royalty during the 1970s.
Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, The Last Shah of Iran, Spotted Wearing a Rolex Ref. 1831 in Platinum with Navy Dial
Inserted 24/12/2022
The Rolex reference 1831 is among the rarest and most historically charged wristwatches ever to surface at auction — a platinum-cased, navy-dialed 36mm timepiece that sold at Phillips in 2016 for $225,000, more than thirty times any reasonable estimate for a standard period Rolex. Its owner was Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, whose personal watch collection has become one of the most compelling chapters in royal horology. This single sighting encapsulates both extraordinary watchmaking and the weight of a dynasty.
