Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1973
    Reference No: 6265
    Movement No: 1569
    Case No: 3'752'011
    Model Name: Oyster Cosmograph "Oman"
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal.727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 7205, end links 71, max length 185mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 37mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Literature: For another example of reference 6265 with red Khanjar, see Pucci Papaleo Ultimate Rolex Daytona, pg. 500 and 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger pg. 240

  • Catalogue Essay

    Boldly emblazoned in the upper center of the dial of this stunning 18 karat gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is the red “Khanjar” - the national emblem of Oman that features a traditional dagger used for ceremonial occasions. When found anywhere on a watch, it signifies an important object of royal provenance. Such watches were made on commission for the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said. An important collector in his own right, His Majesty’s passion for horology is well known.

    Born in 1940 and ascending to the throne at age 30 following studies under the President of India and military training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst England, his reign has been one of great success. With revenues received from oil sales, he drove transformational advances in healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

    Given as gifts to foreign dignitaries and loyal staff, watches with the Khanjar are extremely sought after. Extensive research shows that only four examples of reference 6265 in yellow gold with the red Khanjar are known to scholars, making it exceptionally rare.

    The “Rolex Oyster” logo at 12 o’clock was repositioned higher on the dial to accommodate the Khanjar, demonstrating that this dial was custom designed for His Majesty. The matte black dial further enhances the beauty of the red Khanjar, while the beautifully aged champagne sub-dials give the watch a sporty and elegant aesthetic. At the dial’s bottom edge at six o’clock the desirable sigma designations flanking “T SWISS T” are found, signifying the use of gold for the hour markers and hands.

    The caseback of this extraordinary timepiece features the crisply engraved signature of the prestigious London jeweler, Asprey, which at the time was Rolex’s Middle East distributor of personalized watches destined to Oman. The case and caseback display all their crisp edges and factory finished surfaces, with thick, well-defined lugs. Fitted with its original and correct Mark II pushers, with pleasing oxidation visible on some of the bracelet’s links, in our view, the watch was rarely worn and was likely never polished. Finally, the inner caseback is engraved with the same serial number stamped between the lugs at 6 o’clock, indicating that this watch was indeed made by Rolex upon a special order.

    Its royal provenance, spectacular condition, and superb rarity make it one of the most exciting and important Rolex sport watches to appear at auction in recent years.

  • 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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Ο173

Rolex

Ref. 6265
An extremely rare and highly attractive yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with black dial and bracelet, retailed by Asprey made for the Sultanate of Oman,

1973
37mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF200,000 - 400,000 
€184,000-367,000
$206,000-412,000

Sold for CHF605,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016