Lot Essay
According to our research, the present example is one of the earliest example of a ref. 1675 ever supplied to the UAE Ministry of Defense. Made upon special request for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai, it is part of an exceedingly rare batch of GMT-Master watches produced between 1971 and 1979 for the Department of Defense, the signature to the hawk’s right side.
The original and very well preserved dial stands out by the evenly discolored luminous accents, displaying a most charismatic cream-colored tone, all enhanced by the very crisp "Quraysh Hawk" crest placed to the lower half of the dial and the “Ministry of Defense” signature in Arabic. The "Quraysh Hawk", symbol of the United Arab Emirates, is printed in different 'padded layers', creating a tri-dimensional effect. At its center is a polychrome enameled Dhow or Arabian sailboat, which is replaced today by the U.A.E. federation flag.
The case is likewise in very good overall condition, showing strong proportions and sharp edges.
The Union Defense Force was established officially as the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates on 27 December 1971 from a directive issued by the UAE's founding father and first president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The then 22 years old Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum became the first Minister of Defense.
The original and very well preserved dial stands out by the evenly discolored luminous accents, displaying a most charismatic cream-colored tone, all enhanced by the very crisp "Quraysh Hawk" crest placed to the lower half of the dial and the “Ministry of Defense” signature in Arabic. The "Quraysh Hawk", symbol of the United Arab Emirates, is printed in different 'padded layers', creating a tri-dimensional effect. At its center is a polychrome enameled Dhow or Arabian sailboat, which is replaced today by the U.A.E. federation flag.
The case is likewise in very good overall condition, showing strong proportions and sharp edges.
The Union Defense Force was established officially as the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates on 27 December 1971 from a directive issued by the UAE's founding father and first president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The then 22 years old Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum became the first Minister of Defense.