ROLEX, GMT-MASTER REF. 1675/3, A RARE AND IMPORTANT STAINLESS STEEL AND GOLD DUAL TIME WRISTWATCH MADE FOR THE UAE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

SERIAL NUMBER: ILLISIBLE997

Details

CIRCA: 1978
CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel with yellow gold bezel with aluminium bezel insert, yellow gold crown
DIAMETER: 39.3 mm.
BRACELET: Rolex Oyster stainless steel and yellow gold bracelet stamped 78363, end links stamped J and 480
DIAL: Black with the original national emblem of the UAE at 6 o’ clock and gilt signature of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
MOVEMENT: Automatic
FUNCTIONS: Time, dual time zone, date
BUCKLE: Stainless steel folding clasp stamped 62510H and S P5
WITH: Rolex service card (under guarantee until 01.2026), presentation box and service pouch


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).