Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1973
    Reference No: 6265
    Movement No: 11'826
    Case No: 3'751'995
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Qaboos"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, end links stamped 71, max length 195 mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 37mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present example, a Cosmograph with a 3.7 million serial number, is part of an extremely small group of watches delivered specially by Rolex upon order by His Majesty, the Sultan of Oman, and features the coveted "Qaboos" script at 12 o'clock in lieu of the traditional “4-Lines” found under the 12 o’clock marker. The red colour of the emblazoned symbol perfectly complements the sporty yet elegant black dial, making the bicoloured champagne and black dial stand out even more. While the champagne version of the "Qaboos" dial can be found on the market, it is the first time a reference 6265 with black dial and red Qaboos signature appears on the market, to the best of our knowledge.

    Watches fitted with custom Middle East dials were often presented as gifts to ambassadors, dignitaries, or staff, as a token of gratitude or respect. It was an honor to be presented a Rolex watch with the state symbol. In fact, many of these watches are cherished by their original owners, and passed down from one generation to the next. As a result, Rolex watches with custom dials hardly appear on the market.

    Timepieces gifted by His Majesty had different signatures on the dial. Scholarship and research has led us to believe that watches bearing the "Khanjar", the emblem of the Sultanate of Oman, on the dial were gifted to dignitaries or government officials via representatives of His Majesty, but timepieces bearing the Qaboos signature were handed directly by His Majesty himself, and as such destined to heads of state and extremely high ranking officials.

  • 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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Ref. 6265
An extremely rare and attractive yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with "Qaboos" dial and bracelet, made for the Sultanate of Oman

Circa 1973
37mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF100,000 - 200,000 
€102,000-204,000
$109,000-219,000

Sold for CHF228,600

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection

Geneva Auction 11 - 12 May 2024