Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV Hong Kong Friday, May 27, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1975
    Reference No: 6263
    Case No: 4’137’758, inside caseback stamped 6262
    Model Name: Cosmograph, “The Quraysh Hawk”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “7835,19”, endlinks stamped “271”, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “1.72”
    Dimensions: 37.5mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    In the world of vintage watch collecting, timepieces that feature a rare emblem made for the heads of state or important members from the Royal family are always a special treat for collectors. The present Rolex Cosmograph ref. 6263 is one of these highly rare watches that collectors and vintage Rolex lovers dream of.

    Featuring a custom dial featuring the UAE Quraysh Hawk emblem at 12 o’clock rendered in polychrome relief printing replacing the Rolex signature above 6 o’clock is the signature of the Ministry of Defense written in Arabic script. The rare and unusual configuration was made specially for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum with only a handful of examples resurfaced and known in the market till date. Featuring two correct sigma signs below the dial sandwiching “T SWISS T”, it indicates the indexes to be in white gold, consistent with other examples of the model.

    Phillips has had the pleasure of selling three 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, an example numbered 4’137’759 was sold at START-STOP-RESET: 88 Epic Stainless Steel Chronographs in May 2016 and the last example sold with serial number 4’137’757 in Daytona Ultimatum Geneva on 12th May 2018. Interestingly and coincidently, all examples sold were manufactured from the same batch with its serial number in consecutive fashion, the present example offered is fresh-to-the-market and is only one number away from the previous example sold in Daytona Ultimatum.

    Well-preserved and being offered to the public for the first time, the present example Rolex Cosmograph “UAE Quraysh Hawk” from circa 1975 with a 4’137’758 serial is a wonderful and honest example that is consistent with the others. This example is one for the dedicated and discerned vintage Rolex collector who has been seeking for this rare bird. It has finally surfaced.

  • 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.

    View More Works

889

Ref. 6263
An extremely rare and highly attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with UAE Quraysh Hawk dial and bracelet, made for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Circa 1975
37.5mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$1,200,000 - 2,000,000 
€153,000-255,000
$154,000-256,000

Sold for HK$1,890,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia 
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV

Hong Kong Auction 27 - 28 May 2022