Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 08, 2025

LOT 674

ROLEX, SWITZERLAND, REF. 1675-8, GMT-MASTER, ORIGINAL BOX AND WARRANTY, 18K YELLOW GOLD

CHF 200,000 - 400,000

HKD 1,950,000 - 3,890,000 / USD 250,000 - 500,000 / EUR 216,000 - 430,000 / JPY 37,940,000 - 75,880,000

An exceptional, historical, possible unique, 18k yellow gold, self winding wristwatch with Gmt-function and date, gifted to His Majesty Sheikh Raschid Bin Said Al Maktum from Andre-Jean Heiniger


Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched

Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Brand Rolex, switzerland

Model Gmt-Master

Reference 1675-8

Year sold in April 1977

Case No. 5061878

Bracelet 18k yellow gold Rolex riveted bracelet with deployant clasp, approx. overall length 180 mm.

Diameter 39

Caliber 1570, 26 jewels

Signature dial, case and movement

Accessories original fitted box, warranty, booklet, calendar card dated 1977, chronometer seal, prayer beads

Notes

Already extremely rare in its gold version featuring the "Quraysh Hawk" crest and signature of His Highness Sheik Al Maktum, this watch recently discovered in the Middle East is possibly a unique piece (no others have been discovered so far). First of all it features an elaborate engraving on the outer caseback representing the UAE eagle and with further engravings "United Arab Emirates" and the signature of his Majesty. One will immediately notice that on the caseback the writing of his Majesty is written Saad and not Said/Saeed but after verification with the retailer Seddiqui (who's name is hand written multiple times on the warranty and booklet), they confirmed that in their archives they have this watch registered as sold locally and that it was a gold Rolex and that they often found examples from the 1970's that contained grammatical mistakes on engravings, which may explain why this watch was not gifted to his Highness directly.

Unlike most military watches that were delivered through Asprey in the UK, this example was delivered through Ahmed Seddiqi (as written on both the warranty and the booklet) confirming the provenance of this exceptional watch. The original accompanying warranty is further stamped with both the reference and serial and highly unusual also the caliber and movement number. The warranty is further stamped and signed by Andre-Jean Heiniger (Director of Rolex from 1964 to 1998) which suggests that this possibly unique watch was intended to be gifted directly from Rolex Geneva to his Majesty.

Interestingly the original fitted box features the crest of the UAE Arab Emirates University, college of Medicine and Health (founded in 1976 which coincides closely with the sale of the watch in 1977) as well as the medical caduceus symbol. In the 1970s, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum significantly advanced Dubai's healthcare through his establishment of the Department of Health and Medical Services in October 1970, focusing on education and professional training. He also donated land for the Iranian Hospital, the first healthcare facility in Jumeirah, which opened in 1972. These actions built on a longer-term vision to invest in health and education, leaving a lasting legacy in the region's medical development.



Provenance

Property of an Arabic family

Biography

Sheikh Rashid Bin Said Al Maktum (1912-1990)

His Majesty was one of the founding fathers of the UAE. He was the first vice president and second prime minister as well as the ruler of Dubai from 1958 to 1990. He was responsible for developing Dubai to its current global economic power.