Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1979
    Reference No: 16753 inside case back stamped 16750
    Movement No: 0'385'846
    Case No: 6'014'883
    Model Name: GMT-Master "Root Beer"
    Material: Stainless steel and 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3075, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel and 18K yellow gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet stamped 50 and end links stamped 450, max length 185mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Two striking elements immediately define the present lot. The UAE Quraysh Hawk showing it was made upon special request for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai and the visually arresting brown dial that has turned a degradé shade of metallic orange.

    The GMT Master was created by Rolex in the second half of the 1950s in collaboration with Pan Am and issued by the airline to its crews on long-haul flights enabling them to read a second time zone on their timepiece.

    The present example from the late 1970s distinguishes itself from its original version with a number of improvements, notably the crown guards and the quick-date set mechanism.

    Stamped on the dial, the UAE emblem, or the Quraysh Hawk, is rendered in polychrome relief. Emblazoned above 6 o’clock, the symbol is situated where the "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" text should be. The polychrome tones are vibrant and eye catching in a way that only genuine Rolex stamps can be. Most interestingly, this example features the signature of His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to the right of the eagle. In contrast, most examples feature the Wazarah Ad Difa'A department in Arabic, making this watch a particularly rare variant. Some hypothesize that the Emir's signature signifies high Highness' personal connection with the watch. It is entirely possible that these Emir-signed watches were given in the most prestigious of circumstances.

    The present lot in steel and gold attire complemented with a fascinating metallic orange dial and caramel and chocolate bezel (also called root beer bezel by collectors) is not only in excellent condition but its exuberance and rarity make it a must have for the savvy collector.

  • 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. 16753 inside case back stamped 16750
A very rare and attractive stainless steel and yellow gold dual time wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date and yellow gold and stainless steel bracelet made for the UAE Ministry of Defense

Circa 1979
39.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 
€43,200-86,300
$51,700-103,000

Sold for CHF112,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017