ROLEX | COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA, REFERENCE 6263 A VERY IMPORTANT STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH UAE QURAYSH HAWK DIAL AND BRACELET, MADE FOR MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM, CIRCA 1976 " | 勞力士 | Cosmograph Daytona 型號6263 極為重要精鋼計時鏈帶腕錶，備UAE古萊什之鷹錶盤，為穆罕默德·本·拉希德·阿勒馬克圖姆而製，錶殼編號4137690，約1976年製"

While the primary focus of many watchmakers and brands before and until the 1950s was to compete in producing the world’s most complicated timepiece, Rolex is a brand which chose to specialize in manufacturing watches for specific vocations such as the Submariner for divers, GMT-Master for pilots, Explorer for spelunkers and Milgauss for scientists. The Daytona was no different than the previous models mentioned, as the story unfolds, the Daytona was sent to NASA for testing. However, as it did not pass NASA’s assessment with flying colors, the crown of the Moon Watch was granted to Omega’s SpeedMaster instead. Struggling to find a purpose for the Daytona after losing the competition with Omega, Rolex immediately found the solution in 1964, partaking in the NASCAR event with roaring engines and gleaming paint of the world’s fastest racing machines in Daytona Beach, Florida. The result is a magnificent 6239 that is known for being large, tough and legible, beginning the collection of the renowned Daytona for Rolex.

As technology has been improving constantly, so have Rolex’s watches. In the Daytona’s 56 years of production, it has seen many improvements and dissimilarities from the style of the case, dial, movement and bracelet. The present watch is a reference 6263 which is not only different from the 6239 for its acrylic bezel and screw-down pusher but it is an exceptional piece made upon special request for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Rendered in hand painted polychrome enamel, the desert eagle is an exceedingly rare dial that exhibits the UAE coat of arms at 12 o’clock with the signature of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum proudly signed within the red banner. Above 6 o’clock the Emir’s name is also signed which differs from the other known examples that feature the mark of the Wazarah Ad Difa’a department in the same position.

The present watch was gifted to the consignor 40 years ago and the watch has been sitting in a safety deposit box ever since. While the watch was never once used with an impeccable condition to the dial and case, the consignor had decided to send the watch back to Rolex’s Heritage department in Geneva for a routine servicing last year. Residing in a private collection for many years, the present lot’s condition and rarity make it a fabulous Rolex Daytona.