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- This lot is offered by Christie's Dubai Ltd.Christie's Dubai Ltd.
Dubai Intl Financial Centre, Gate Village 5 P.O Box 506685, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 (0)4 425 5647
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Bob XueSenior Specialist, Watches
Lot Essay
Made upon special request for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the current Ruler of Dubai, this Rolex is part of an exceedingly rare batch of GMT-Master watches produced between 1971 and 1979 for the UAE Ministry of Defence. Before he took over as the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum served as the UAE’s first Defence Minister. These watches were most likely given away as gifts or as tokens of appreciation.
The present lot’s colour scheme – black dial and black bezel paired with a two-tone steel and yellow gold case and bracelet - makes for an attractive vintage Rolex wristwatch. The black dial carries the crisp "Quraysh Hawk" crest on the lower half of the dial. This replaces the usual “GMT Master” and the "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” text seen on regular Ref. 1675 dials. The "Quraysh Hawk", symbol of the United Arab Emirates, is printed in different 'padded layers', creating a tri-dimensional effect. At its centre is a polychrome enameled Dhow or Arabian sailboat - this was the original national crest of the UAE. In 2008, the Dhow was replaced by the U.A.E. federation flag with seven stars representing the seven emirates.
Consigned by a Dubai-based client who wore his prized possession regularly over the years, the watch has just returned from a complete overhaul service at Rolex Geneva. The original case number has been rendered illegible by the march of time and due to wear with the end links. After its visit to the Rolex service centre, the serial number of the watch now reads “ILLISIBLE997” (illisible is French for unreadable).
The present lot’s colour scheme – black dial and black bezel paired with a two-tone steel and yellow gold case and bracelet - makes for an attractive vintage Rolex wristwatch. The black dial carries the crisp "Quraysh Hawk" crest on the lower half of the dial. This replaces the usual “GMT Master” and the "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” text seen on regular Ref. 1675 dials. The "Quraysh Hawk", symbol of the United Arab Emirates, is printed in different 'padded layers', creating a tri-dimensional effect. At its centre is a polychrome enameled Dhow or Arabian sailboat - this was the original national crest of the UAE. In 2008, the Dhow was replaced by the U.A.E. federation flag with seven stars representing the seven emirates.
Consigned by a Dubai-based client who wore his prized possession regularly over the years, the watch has just returned from a complete overhaul service at Rolex Geneva. The original case number has been rendered illegible by the march of time and due to wear with the end links. After its visit to the Rolex service centre, the serial number of the watch now reads “ILLISIBLE997” (illisible is French for unreadable).
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Lot 53
Sale 23035
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SERIAL NUMBER: ILLISIBLE997
ROLEX, GMT-MASTER REF. 1675/3, A RARE AND IMPORTANT STAINLESS STEEL AND GOLD DUAL TIME WRISTWATCH MADE FOR THE UAE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Estimate: USD 40,000 - 60,000
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Estimated total cost exclusive of duties