123
Rolex
Ref. 6263
Cosmograph Daytona “Green Khanjar”
A possibly unique, important, and highly impressive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with Green Khanjar dial, made for the Sultanate of Oman
- Estimate
- $300,000 - 600,000
$381,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1980
- Reference No
- 6263
- Case No
- 6’047’200
- Model Name
- Cosmograph Daytona “Green Khanjar”
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 78350, endlinks stamped 571
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, stamped F (1981)
- Dimensions
- 37mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Watches fitted with "Khanjar" dials were made on special request from His Majesty Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the Sultan of Oman, and presented as gifts to his closest dignitaries and officials. It was an honor, and sign of respect, to be presented with a Rolex watch depicting the Omani state symbol. Many of these watches are cherished by their original owners, and passed down from one generation to the next.
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said (1940-2019) was known also for his own formidable watch collection and his passion for horology. His Majesty ascended to the throne at age 30 following studies under the President of India and military training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, England, where his reign was one of great success. With revenues received from oil sales, he drove transformational advances in healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
According to our research, only one other reference 6263 in stainless steel with “Green Khanjar” emblem has appeared at auction. That example was consigned by a descendent of the original owner, with a slightly different dial configuration. Please see lot 121 for another example of a “Green Khanjar” Daytona, this time paired with an 18K yellow gold case.
The present reference 6263 in stainless steel is the only known example featuring both the Green Khanjar and a “Big Red” Daytona logo at 6 o’clock, rendering it possibly unique. A fascinating detail illustrating the importance of these watches for Rolex, the ‘Rolex Oyster Cosmograph’ designation at 12 o’clock is positioned higher than standard production dials, making room for the Green Khanjar. Further enhancing its importance is its caseback, beautifully engraved with a crowned Khanjar. Its condition, along with that of the case, is crisp and shows no signs of ever having been polished. Previously unknown and presented for the first time publicly, it is an exceptionally rare “trophy” watch for the most discerning connoisseur.
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said (1940-2019) was known also for his own formidable watch collection and his passion for horology. His Majesty ascended to the throne at age 30 following studies under the President of India and military training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, England, where his reign was one of great success. With revenues received from oil sales, he drove transformational advances in healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
According to our research, only one other reference 6263 in stainless steel with “Green Khanjar” emblem has appeared at auction. That example was consigned by a descendent of the original owner, with a slightly different dial configuration. Please see lot 121 for another example of a “Green Khanjar” Daytona, this time paired with an 18K yellow gold case.
The present reference 6263 in stainless steel is the only known example featuring both the Green Khanjar and a “Big Red” Daytona logo at 6 o’clock, rendering it possibly unique. A fascinating detail illustrating the importance of these watches for Rolex, the ‘Rolex Oyster Cosmograph’ designation at 12 o’clock is positioned higher than standard production dials, making room for the Green Khanjar. Further enhancing its importance is its caseback, beautifully engraved with a crowned Khanjar. Its condition, along with that of the case, is crisp and shows no signs of ever having been polished. Previously unknown and presented for the first time publicly, it is an exceptionally rare “trophy” watch for the most discerning connoisseur.
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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