ROLEX | DAYTONA, REFERENCE 6263, A STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH UAE QURAYSH HAWK DIAL, MADE FOR MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM, CIRCA 1975

A similar example is prominently illustrated in Ultimate Daytona by Pucci Papaleo, pages 400 to 403.

Starting at the beginning of the 1970’s, the United Arab Emirates and Arab Nations commissioned watches from Rolex to give as gifts to officials, diplomats and dignitaries.

The present watch, represents a very rare example of this golden era and features a dial known as “The Desert Eagle”. Featuring a highly unusual personalised dial, a UAE coat of arms has been rendered by hand in polychrome enamel illustrating the “Quraysh Hawk” and replaces the traditional Rolex Cosmograph signatures found on regular production models. In a standing position, the hawk’s feet rest on top of the ruler of Dubai’s signature. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum. 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.