116
Rolex
Ref. 1675
GMT-Master, “U.A.E. Quraysh Hawk"
A very rare, and attractive stainless steel dual-time wristwatch with date and bracelet, with extensive provenance material and presentation box, made for the UAE Ministry of Defence
- Estimate
- $60,000 - 120,000
$144,900
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1978
- Reference No
- 1675
- Movement No
- D762’493
- Case No
- 5’690’470
- Model Name
- GMT-Master, “U.A.E. Quraysh Hawk"
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped 78360, end links stamped 580, max length 160mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped VC
- Dimensions
- 39mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by a Rolex green leather presentation box, original owner’s testimonial, International Military Sports Council Certificate, 1981 UAE Para Champ medallion, and photographs
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Launched in 1955, Rolex’s GMT-Master was a dual time zone wristwatch developed in collaboration with Pan American Airways which sought a timekeeper that enabled their pilots to simultaneously keep track of both “home” and “local” times when flying from one location to another. The watch fulfilled a need during the golden age of air travel for the jet-set traversing the globe.
The present 1978 GMT-Master is a wonderful example of this now iconic timepiece. The watch takes on a whole new level of importance with its coveted UAE Quraysh Hawk rendered in relief on the dial. Situated at 6 o’clock where the "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" typically is found, the polychrome tones are vibrant and eye catching in a way only a genuine Rolex stamp 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. Scholarship hypothesizes the Emir's signature signifies a personal connection with the watch, and it is entirely possible these Emir-signed wristwatches were given in the most prestigious of circumstances. These rare timepieces were produced between 1971 and 1979 for the Ministry of Defense. Accompanied with a hardly ever seen trove of provenance items, this example was gifted to Captain José Hilario Trujillo in 1981. Captain Trujillo was in the UAE for the XIII Parachute International Military Sport Council as a representative from Panama, as explained in his signed letter accompanying the watch.
Not only is its provenance outstanding, this important watch is preserved in superb original condition with a very crisp and likely unpolished case, and pristine original dial. The hour markers have aged beautifully and perfectly match the luminous hands with a warm yellowish hue. The “Pepsi” bezel, which was designed so pilots could determine between night and day has an appealing shade of red with the blue night sector remaining a deep tone.
The GMT-Master is a classic mid-20th century timepiece, which today is highly sought after by collectors for its iconic design and masculine appeal. The model is still manufactured today with the DNA elements of the earliest references still visible. The present lot is a rare opportunity to own one of the finest and most well-documented examples of a GMT-Master "U.A.E. Quraysh Hawk" to ever appear on the market
The present 1978 GMT-Master is a wonderful example of this now iconic timepiece. The watch takes on a whole new level of importance with its coveted UAE Quraysh Hawk rendered in relief on the dial. Situated at 6 o’clock where the "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" typically is found, the polychrome tones are vibrant and eye catching in a way only a genuine Rolex stamp 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. Scholarship hypothesizes the Emir's signature signifies a personal connection with the watch, and it is entirely possible these Emir-signed wristwatches were given in the most prestigious of circumstances. These rare timepieces were produced between 1971 and 1979 for the Ministry of Defense. Accompanied with a hardly ever seen trove of provenance items, this example was gifted to Captain José Hilario Trujillo in 1981. Captain Trujillo was in the UAE for the XIII Parachute International Military Sport Council as a representative from Panama, as explained in his signed letter accompanying the watch.
Not only is its provenance outstanding, this important watch is preserved in superb original condition with a very crisp and likely unpolished case, and pristine original dial. The hour markers have aged beautifully and perfectly match the luminous hands with a warm yellowish hue. The “Pepsi” bezel, which was designed so pilots could determine between night and day has an appealing shade of red with the blue night sector remaining a deep tone.
The GMT-Master is a classic mid-20th century timepiece, which today is highly sought after by collectors for its iconic design and masculine appeal. The model is still manufactured today with the DNA elements of the earliest references still visible. The present lot is a rare opportunity to own one of the finest and most well-documented examples of a GMT-Master "U.A.E. Quraysh Hawk" to ever appear on the market
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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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