Rolex - START-STOP-RESET: 88 Epic Stainless Steel Chronographs Geneva Friday, May 13, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1977
    Reference No: 6263, stamped inside caseback 6265
    Case No: 4’137’759
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona “Desert Eagle”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. Valjoux 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Rolex stainless steel Oyster bracelet, reference 78350, end links stamped 571, max. length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 37.5mm diameter
    Signed: Case, movement and bracelet signed
    Literature: A similar example is prominently illustrated in the Ultimate Rolex Daytona, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pg. 400-403.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Beginning in the 1970s, the United Arab Emirates and its seven Arab nations specially commissioned watches from Rolex to be given as gifts for high-ranking officials, foreign dignitaries, and diplomats. Today, they are coveted treasures sought after by collectors around the world.

    The ‘Desert Eagle’ is an extremely rare personalized dial exhibiting the UAE coat of arms emblem in polychrome enamel, which prominently displays the “Quraysh Hawk”. In the center of the Hawk’s chest is a red background behind an Arabian sailboat. The Hawk is in a standing position, with its feet resting on top of the ruler of Dubai’s signature, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum. Additionally, above the 6 o’clock subsidiary dial, is the prominent signature of the Wazarah Ad Difa’A department written in Arabic script.

    Reference 6263, such as the present watch, was introduced
to the market in 1969. This highly desirable model was fitted with Oyster chronograph pushers and a bezel with black acrylic insert featuring a tachometer scale printed in white.

    The present example is in absolutely mint condition, and retains its original Rolex sticker on the caseback as delivered from the factory. The dial is well preserved and utterly rare, further enhancing the desirability of this watch. To collectors who dream of owning a vintage reference 6263, a model that is already exclusive, they will be intrigued by this very special edition of the Rolex Daytona Cosmograph.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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Ο60

Ref. 6263, stamped inside caseback 6265
An extremely rare, highly attractive and important stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with United Arab Emirates Desert Eagle Coat of Arms and bracelet, presented with original box and hangtag.

1977
37.5mm diameter
Case, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF200,000 - 400,000 

Sold for CHF605,000

Contact Specialist
Livia Russo
+41 22 317 81 86

START-STOP-RESET: 88 Epic Stainless Steel Chronographs

Geneva Auction 14 May 2016