ROLEX, DAYTONA REF. 6265, A RARE AND IMPORTANT STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH MADE FOR UAE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

CASE NUMBER: 4’128’401

Details

CIRCA: 1976
CASE MATERIAL: Stainless with steel engraved tachymeter bezel, screw-down crown and pushers, inside caseback stamped 6265
DIAMETER: 37 mm.
BRACELET: Rolex Oyster stainless steel bracelet stamped 78350 19 and end-links stamped 571
DIAL: Silvered with polychromatic national emblem of the UAE underneath the Rolex crown at 12 o’ clock and the text ‘Wizarat Al Difae’ in Arabic script (Ministry of Defence in Arabic) placed just above the sub dial at 6 o’ clock
MOVEMENT: Cal. 727, manual-winding, 17 jewels
FUNCTIONS: Time, chronograph, tachymeter
BUCKLE: Rolex stainless steel folding buckle


Lot Essay

It’s not often that we encounter a fresh-to-market vintage Daytona– the most coveted of all Rolex timepieces – that comes from the family of the original owner and offered at auction with this level of quality. The present Daytona Ref. 6265 has the added distinction of carrying the national emblem of the UAE and the legend 'Wizarat Al Difae’ in Arabic script (Ministry of Defence in Arabic) on the dial. This timepiece is part of a series of exclusive Daytona models that were commissioned by a fledgling nation’s newly-formed Ministry of Defence that was helmed by none other than Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, now the ruler of Dubai.
There are very few instances when Rolex has opted to remove its legend/branding from the dial – the customary “Rolex Oyster Cosmograph” has been omitted to make way for the coveted early Quraysh Hawk national emblem of the UAE.
These watches were given as gifts of the state to trade delegations or diplomats in the 1970s. The present timepiece was a gift to the present owner’s late father from an extremely prominent member of the Dubai ruling family. The consignor’s father who was a keen watch enthusiast himself, cherished this Daytona and entrusted it to his son upon his graduation. The watch has remained in the family safe for most of its existence and is extremely well-preserved.
Chronographs such as the present timepiece are cherished by collectors due to their rarified nature. With a very well-preserved stainless steel case exhibiting well-defined proportions and edges, the present wristwatch can be considered a highly attractive and rare example of the reference 6265 with the coveted Quraysh Hawk logo. In the esoteric world of watch collectors, the watch is often referred to as “UAE Eagle” Daytona.
Launched in 1969, the Rolex Ref. 6265 was unveiled alongside the Ref. 6263, and manufactured in steel, 18k and 14k gold. Equipped with the manual-winding Caliber 727, the chronographs were fitted with screw-down push buttons and guaranteed waterproof, which lead to the “Oyster” script to be featured on their dials.