Oman Khanjar Dial 6265 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

Speaking plainly, this is the only ‘John Mayer’ Daytona I really care about. Okay, his is a Desert Eagle but go with me here. This Oman 6265 and the Desert Eagle 6263 (& 6265) are the only two recent sport Rolexes to share a very distinct privilege. Unlike nearly all other Middle Eastern dials, on this Daytona Sultan Qaboos bin Said placed the khanjar where the word Rolex would normally go. Imagine asking Rolex today to make you a bespoke Daytona and when you see the mockup you respond, ‘It’s perfect, but could you just get rid of that word Oyster on the dial? Oh and that plebeian Rolex text as well, while you’re at it.’ It’s inconceivable that this was ever green-lit. That’s what Asprey made possible, a famed New Bond Street London retailer (also in Geneva) who served royalty and VIPs on behalf of Rolex through the 70s, now closed. It’s de-badged Daytona, though far from stealth, and it won’t ever happen again.

The other is known as the ‘Desert Eagle’, search our site one came up for sale last year, made for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This one though, all examples in gold, for Qaboos. Both Sultans were notable watch collectors and lovers. Both had a custom and tradition, as is often seen of the kindness and hospitality that runs through that region, of presenting gifts in recognition of service, achievement, or as a token of simple respect. It’s why these wound up with foreign dignitaries, servicemen, and high up government staff.

Only a handful of gold 6265 with dials like this are known, fewer than ten, all with serial numbers in a fairly tight range (as in last-two-digits-close). At Geneva 2019, Phillips hammered one at 345K USD. Christie’s sold earlier this year at 768K USD. As this is a full set with khanjar fountain pens in remarkable condition with a caseback sticker on, I expect it to close or exceed Christie’s. It’s a once-every-few-years Cosmograph: imperial, imposing, and impossibly expensive. You had to be royalty to have one back then and today, in one way or another, you sort of still do. I’d recommend Ross Povey’s article ‘Bourn in Oman’ for further reading on other iterations. Rolex didn’t invent tying watches to significant people or points in history, but they do have a controlling interest as far as vintage is concerned. Dial in, case in point.

And we’re not kidding on condition. This is what a great, nay, perfect 6265 lug should look like. It comes on its original Oyster rivet (probably worth a few 5513s these days). The dial is clear of any imperfections, all tritium a lovely tan to match the case. Even the caseback sticker is great. It comes with its papers from Asprey, khanjar box, and a few other goodies. It’s being auctioned this fall as part of Phillips Geneva sale. Expect the bids to be ferocious.