Rolex - Daytona Ultimatum Geneva Friday, May 11, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1975
    Reference No: 6263 "The Quraysh Hawk"
    Case No: 4’137’757
    Model Name: Cosmograph
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal.727, 17jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, end links stamped 557, max. length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped O5
    Dimensions: 37.5mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, dial further stamped with UAE Quraysh Hawk
    Literature: A similar example is prominently illustrated in Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo Editions, pages 400 to 403.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Fresh to the auction market, this remarkable and correct reference 6263 features a custom dial with the UAE Quraysh Hawk. Made upon special request for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai in the mid 1970s, this example was part of a small order of timepieces. The market has identified only a handful of watches fitted with this dial configuration, and all bear serial numbers close to each other.

    Rendered in polychrome relief printing, the UAE emblem (the Quraysh Hawk) is emblazoned at 12 o’clock, with the signature of United Arab Emirates proudly displayed below. Above 6 o’clock is the signature of the Ministry of Defense written in Arabic script. These graphics are all original and correct. Furthermore, the “Sigma” designation, indicating white gold markers, is also correct. Surprisingly, the counters have begun to tone down, and now exhibit a dark cocoa tone. The subsidiary registers have the potential to become even more “tropical” with time.

    Most recently, Phillips has had the pleasure of selling two similar examples. While one bears the serial number 4’137’760 and was offered in Rolex Milestones: 38 Legendary Watches That Shaped History in November 2016, another example numbered 4’137’759 was sold at START-STOP-RESET: 88 Epic Stainless Steel Chronographs in May 2016. Having resided in a private collection for many years, the present lot’s rarity and attractive appearance renders it the perfect trophy piece for any discerning collector.

    The present watch was sold from Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons in 1977, as confirmed by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons.

  • 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. 6263 "The Quraysh Hawk"
An exceptionally rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with UAE Quraysh Hawk dial and cocoa registers, made for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Circa 1975
37.5mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, dial further stamped with UAE Quraysh Hawk

Estimate
CHF200,000 - 400,000 

Sold for CHF324,500

Contact Specialist
Tiffany To
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 96 63
tto@phillips.com

Daytona Ultimatum

Geneva Auction 12 May 2018