176 Rolex A Highly Attractive GMT Master Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, Reference 16 75, With Black Matte “Quraysh Hawk” Dial made for United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence.

Estimate: € 100,000 –⁠ 200,000

Model: Gmt-Master
Reference: 1675
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel
Year: 1977
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 1570
Case N°: 5159344
Dimensions: 40 mm
Signed: Dial, movement and case

The world’s largest airline Pan Am commissioned a specially designed watch allowing their pilots to keep track of time in two locations and ollowing the success of the reference 6542, Rolex introduced in 1959 the following reference 1675 which remained in production until 1980. The lot offered here is an astonishing specimen of 1675 with special features: the stainless steel case is in great conditions with a well-preserved Pepsi bezel and the luminous material has aged nicely gaining a cream-brown together with its hands but the most importat thing is the "Quraysh Hawk" logo, printed on the dial in different 'padded layers' that create a tri-dimensional effect. The present watch was presented as a gift by the then-Minister of Defense to an American friend working in Dubai, Mr. Raymond Trahan. Raymond Trahan played an important role in completing some of the largest oil platform constructions in the region and met Sheikh Mohammed in the mid 70’s becoming good friends. In 1978 Raymond was invited to a skeet shooting competition with the royal family of Dubai. As an award for winning the competition, he was gifted this Rolex GMT 1675 watch by Sheikh Mohammed himself. The back case of this extraordinary example is engraved: “PRESENTED TO R. TRAHAN, BY SHAIKH M B R AL-MAKTOUM, MINISTER OF DEFENSE, ON APRIL 2.78”. Featuring the United Arab Emirates (UAE) crest and the Arabic text translated as “Ministry of Defense” the present specimen stands out not only for its rarity and its history but also for its extraordinary condition.