Vintage Dalil Qibla Compass World Time Swiss Automatic 41mm Islamic Dial Watch

About this watch

Swiss-made Dalil (دليل, Arabic for "guide") watches are distinctive 1970s pieces designed for travellers in the Islamic world. The centrepiece of this watch is a central compass mounted above the hands, used to find the direction of the Qibla. Around the black dial, with its green and gold Islamic artwork and prominent Arabic Dalil logo, runs an inner rotating ring inscribed with world cities in Arabic, operated by the secondary crown, for working out time-zone differences.

The approximately 41mm black-coated cushion case with two crowns and the ribbed integrated bracelet embody classic 1970s design. The dial is signed Automatic and Swiss Made.

Brand heritage

Dalil watches were produced in Switzerland in the 1970s specifically for Muslim customers, combining a Swiss automatic movement with practical features for daily prayer such as the Qibla compass and Arabic world-time and prayer-time scales. Little documentation survives about the company behind them, and they are now an obscure and collectible chapter of Swiss watchmaking aimed at the Middle East market.

Why this one is special

• Central Qibla compass, a rare and genuinely useful complication
• Inner rotating world-time ring with Arabic city names, dual crowns
• Striking black, green and gold Islamic dial design
• Swiss automatic movement
• Bold 1970s cushion case with integrated ribbed bracelet

Specifications

• Brand: Dalil
• Era: circa 1970s
• Movement: Swiss automatic
• Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds, central Qibla compass, rotating world-time city ring
• Case: black PVD/matte-coated cushion case, approx. 41 mm, approx. 15 mm thick, two crowns
• Dial: black with green and gold Islamic artwork, Arabic script
• Bracelet: integrated matching ribbed black bracelet, approx. 22 mm

Condition

Dial in excellent vintage condition; the green and gold accents retain strong colour saturation and the central compass needle moves freely. The black PVD/dark coating shows honest edge wear and brassing along high-friction areas. Both original crowns are present and the secondary crown rotates the inner city ring smoothly. The matching ribbed bracelet shows uniform vintage wear consistent with the case finish. Please review all photos carefully, as they form part of the description.
Working at time of listing.

What's included

The watch on its bracelet, with the presentation box shown (not stated to be original). No papers.

Shipping & Returns

Ships from Cairo, Egypt. Please see the shipping and returns details in this listing.