Rolex Tool Watching: Middle East Rolex as a Political Tool Watch...

The Complete History of Rolex In The

Middle East

Rolex as a Political Tool Watch 

Rolex's amazing reputation precedes it, as arguably the most prestigious brand in history, and as a result remains The International Mark of Success throughout the world today. The Middle East is no exception and in the photo below we see current Rolex CEO, Jean-Frédéric Dufour with tennis legend, Roger Federer celebrating the opening of the world's largest Rolex Boutique which opened last year in Dubai.

Emkwan takes us an an AMAZING tour of the worlds largest Rolex Story in the video below.



Esquire Magazine also created a great overview of the Rolex Boutique in this superb video:



In this fascinating story we are going to hop in The Rolex Time Machine and travel back more than a half-century to the Middle East to learn how Rolex became THE CHOICE for Kings, Sultans, Politicians and military leaders in the Middle East. We begin with this photo of Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf in Egypt, on the Giza Plateau located on the West bank of the Nile. 

In the photo above on the far left we see the famous Egyptian Sphinx which depicted a man with the body of a lion. The Sphinx is the oldest documented monumental sculpture in Egypt as it dates back to more than 4500 years to around 2540 B.C. In the background we see an ancient Egyptian Pyramid at the Giza Pyramid Complex. Hans Wilsdorf (founder of Rolex) is pictured on the left in the horse drawn carriage sitting next to a man named Evelpides who was a Rolex watch dealer in Egypt. We also see Hans Wilsdorf' wife sitting on the camel.

This next image above of Hans Wilsdorf was taken in 1949 in the Gulf Kingdom of Bahrain, which shows Hans Wilsdorf with Naj Murad, who founded Modern Art Studio in Bahrain, which remains a successful Rolex Authorized Dealer today. One thing is for sure and that is the fact Hans Wilsdorf loved traveling the world and kept in seemingly constant communication with the Rolex dealer network he built over more than half a century...

When we think of a Rolex tool watch, we typically think of a Submariner, GMT-Master or Daytona, but as we see in this story many powerful men used their Rolex Datejust and Day-Dates as tool watches as a symbol of leadership and integrity.

Rolex Tool Watching

In the photo below, discovered by Nick Gould, we see Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1965 rockin his Rolex Day-Date as he sits with his family while having a cup of tea near Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Zayad ruled Abu Dhabi for more than 30 years, and the photo below was taken just before he took over as the Ruler of UAE.

From Right to Left: HRH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Sheikh Sultan Biz Zayed Al Nayhan (His second eldest son), and Obaid Rin Rashid Al Mansoori.

Speaking of Sheikhs wearing Rolex Day-Date models, we see Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani pictured below shaking hands with the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Adile Sultan Palace in Instanbul in 2014. Notice Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is wearing a Platinum Rolex Day-Date. It's fascinating to note that despite the fact the Sheikh pictured above and below are not related (at least, not that I am award of) they look so similar even though the photos were taken a half-century apart from one another! This image was also discovered by Nick Gould.

Rolex watches have also been very popular in the free state of Israel as wee see in the photo below on the wrists of Moshe Dayan and Ariel Sharon during the Yom Kippur War which took place from October 6 through October 25, 1973. 

ISRAEL

Military & Political Leadership

Let's start with taking a look at Rolex in Israel. I remember when I was a kid growing up in San Francisco in the late 1960s and early 1970s watching cartoons on the weekend, and there were these really confusing TV commercials for a show named "In The News." The commercials used to say things like "In Lebanon today, Palestinian Gorillas (PLO) hijacked an Airplane, or Gorillas attacked the Sinai peninsula and Golan Heights, or in the Suez Canal, or on the Gaza Strip and West bank—In The News." Of course they were saying 'Guerrillas', but as a small child of four to seven years old I thought they meant that Gorillas (as in very large monkeys) were attacking people in a bank :-) Little Kid Logic (LKL) is always a funny thing...

Rolex on the Wrists of Israel's Security Men

Moshe Dyan and Ariel Sharon pictured above both wearing Rolex Datejust watches on October 1, 1973 in the Suez Canal. Israeli Army Southern Command, General Ariel Sharon with Defense Minister, Moshe Dayan during the Yom Kippur War on the western bank of the Suez Canal in Egypt.

Israel is located on the Mediterranean Sea, and it's considered to be the Biblical Holy land by Jews, Christians and Muslims. Despite having such a historically significant background, Israel was founded in 1948 making it one of the youngest countries in the world. This section story is focused around four military men who helped form Israel into the country it is today. Every Israeli citizen is required to serve in the Military, so basically all politicians have a military background.

Israeli Prime Minister Levy Eshkol with Defense Minister, Moshe Dyan visiting an Israeli army camp in the West Bank after the Six-Day War in 1967.

This group of four men has been referred to as "Israel's Security Men" by Thomas G. Mitchell who wrote a book with that title. Mitchell coined the term "Military Politicians" in his book to describe these four men.

Moshe Dayan

Moshe Dayan is pictured below wearing his signature eyepatch which he gained as a result of loosing his eye in a battle in 1941.

Moshe Dayan appeared on the Sunday Morning CBS News TV show "Face The Nation" on December 9, 1973 and was wearing his Rolex Datejust. It doesn't just tell time. It tells history...

In the photo below we see Israel Chief of Staff, Moshe Dayan (Third from left) standing next to Ariel Sharon (second from left) on October 28, 1955. The other men in the photo were commanders of a raid in Kunteila, Egypt. 

Ariel Sharon

Rolex Datejust

Ariel Sharon joined the Israeli army in 1948 at its inception, and began as a paratrooper during the Israeli War of Independence, and continued to play a key role in each of the following wars.

Ariel Sharon is pictured below on October 31, 1973 in the Sinai Dessert in Egypt. At the time Ariel Sharon was the Southern Command General and in this photo he is standing on the banks of the Suez Canal, which is located in the Sinai Desert during the Yom Kippur War. Notice he is wearing a Rolex Datejust.

Ariel Sharon is pictured below on August 29, 1982 on the CBS Sunday Morning TV show named "Face The Nation". In this photo then, Israeli Defense Minister, Ariel Sharon is reviewing a map of Israel and Lebanon. Notice his Rolex Datejust on his wrist.

Yitzchak Rabin

Rolex Datejust

Yitzchak Rabin was an Israeli General, politician and statesman. He served as the 5th Prime Minister of Isreal for two terms from 1974-1977, and again in 1992 until he was assassinated in 1995.

In the photo above and two photos below we see Yitzchak Rabin wearing his Rolex Datejust on an Oyster bracelet.

Ehud Barak

In the 2011 photo below we see Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak hugging Leon Panetta who was the U.S. Defense Secretary. Barak is wearing a two-tone Rolex GMT-Master.

King Hussein

1935-1999

King Hussein of Jordan is pictured below with his wife Queen Alia and their children. King Hussein was the King of Jordan from 1952 until he passed away in 1999, and during his tenure as King had an AMAZING collection of Rolex watches.

The photo below was discovered by Nick Gould and shows King Hussein wearing an unusual Rolex Day-Date in 1962 on a Jubilee Bracelet.

This next photo of King Hussein was taken in 1982 and it shows him wearing his "Mocha GMT" on a Jubilee Bracelet.

Muammar Gaddafi


1942-2011

The photo below shows Libyan revolutionary and General, Muammar Gaddafi when he was a younger man, and notice he is wearing his Rolex Datejust.

In this next photo we see Muammar Qaddafi wearing his Rolex Datejust as he chats with King Hussein of Jordan who is wearing his Rolex GMT-Master, and on the far right we see Egyptian President, Anwar Sadat. This photo was taken on September 30, 1970 just after former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser passed away.

Hosni Mubarak

1928-2020

Hosni Mubarak is a former Egyptian President (1981-2011), Prime Minister (1981-1982), Vice President (1975-1981) and military leader in the Egyptian Air Force where he served as a Commander from 1972-1975. He was born in 1928 and was ousted from office in 2011. In the photos below we see him wearing his two-tone Rolex GMT-Master on a Jubilee bracelet. I recall also seeing photos of him wearing a Rolex Dayt-Date which I will find and add to this story in the future.

Yassar Arafat

1929-2004

Yassar Arafat was the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from 1969 until he passed away in 2004, and as we see he wore a Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee bracelet.

Saddam Hussein


1937-2006

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is pictured below on January 20, 1999 spoking a cigar near Bagdad in Iraq, and we is wearing a Rolex Datejust. 

I decided to consolidate all my previous stories on Arabic Rolex watches below. Rolex used to make special Rolex watches with custom artwork for the Arab markets and many of these vintage Arabic Rolex watches are considered to be highly collectable and valuable today:

Originally Published: April 1, 2018

A Different Kind Of 

Rolex President

Hafez al-Assad Custom Arabic Rolex Explorer Dial

[Reference 16550]

Back in 2010, Sotheby's auctioned this one-of-a-kind custom dial Rolex Explorer which belonged to Hafaz al-Assad, who was the President of Syria. It is a vintage 1989 Rolex Explorer II, and it is a very early version of the Polar dial Explorer II with white gold indices and matching white gold hands.

Originally Published: June 7, 2014

...Auction Results...

Sultan of Oman Rolex Day-Date Models

Record Setting Price Results at Christies Auction

Christies recently auction off some amazing Rolex watches on May 12, 2014, in Geneva, Switzerland that were made for the Sultan of Oman, and this auction included a number of Rolex Day-Date "Presidential" models that shattered previous records. We begin with this platinum Rolex Day-Date made which was made in 1974, and features a blue dial with a red Omani crest, coupled with diamond dial markers and with matching diamonds running around the bezel. This watch was estimated to sell for between $51,000 and $79,000, and it ended up selling for more than four times the estimate at $352,119!!! Basically, vintage Rolex watches are going through the roof at auction!!!

The next watch pictured below which features baguette cut baton markers cut from rubies on a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date [Made in 1984 Reference 18038, Caliber 3055], as well as the Omani crest on the dial. This watch was estimated to sell from between $42,000 to $82,000 and it ended up selling for $182,287!!!

On a side note, watches that were made by Rolex that feature Arab logos on the dial are typically know as "Arabic Rolex Watches."

Next up we see another yellow gold Rolex Day-Date made for the Sultan Of Oman, and this one was made in 1979, and it sold also had an estimate selling price of between $42,000 and $68,000, but sold for more than double at $168,700.

Originally Published: January 4, 2014

...Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day...

Ryan's United Arab Emirates GMT

Very Rare Blueberry Bezel on a NATO

The watch below recently cause a bunch of controversy which you can learn more about by checking out my story on the GMT-Blueberry Myth.

Originally Published: March 1, 2012

Omani Rolex Daytona Models

Arab dial logo custom Rolex watches are really cool and highly collectable. Today we look at two different versions of the same Rolex Daytona [Reference 6263]. This first one is from Stefano Mazzariol.

This next Omani dial Rolex Daytona [Reference 6263], has a green Omani sword logo and it appears courtesy of Cortez Ramon.

Originally Published: Feb 6, 2012

...Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day...

An Omani Rolex Cosmograph

Some of these vintage Rolex Chronographs with Arab dials are so cool looking, like this Omani Cosmograph.

Originally Published: March 11, 2010

Wrist Shot Of The Day

United Arab Emirates Daytona

Stainless Steel Rolex Daytona 6263

Rolex used to make customized dials for watches or countries. The "Arab Dial" watches are very highly collectible since they look so unusual and cool. This stunning example of a Rolex Daytona [Reference 6263] belongs to NBTimes.

Originally Published: October 23, 2009

Amanico's GMT Master

From The United Arab Emirates

Amanico took this stunning photo of his vintage Rolex GMT Master that was made for the United Arab Emirates. The UAE Eagle logo looks really cool!!! I never noticed before, but it appears the UAE Eagle has a sailboat symbol on its chest.

Originally Published: June 9, 2009

Omani Sea-Dweller

The dial on this very interesting looking Rolex Sea-Dweller [Reference 1665] has the emblem of the Sultanate of Oman which is a sheath over two crossed swords. These very rare watches were made in 1972 and given to the SAS (Special Air Service) regiment soldiers from the Sultan of Oman.

Photo Credit: Cortez Ramon




Originally Published: June 21, 2009

Amir of Qatar Rolex

The portrait on the dial of this custom-made Rolex is of the former Amir of Qatar whose name is Sheikh. Khalifa Al Thani.

This photo is of a Rolex watch sold by Christie's Auction house.

I find this Rolex watch to have very interesting design language and I think it looks very, very cool.

One of the details I noticed on this watch is that under the Rolex Crown on the dial it says Rolex and then it says "Geneve." 

I think that would mean the "Geneve" seal which is the highest Swiss Certification a watch can have. I don't recall ever seeing the "Geneve" seal on a Rolex before? Most Patek Philippe's have the "Geneve" seal.

A Special Cosmograph Daytona 100TH Anniversary of Le Mans Model

Live Le Mans Wrist Shot

    Live wrist shot of the new Rolex Daytona, taken by Eric Collombin who is President of Rolex France. He took the picture at Le Mans, France, this weekend, chronograph running, while watching the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

 A Special Cosmograph Daytona

100TH Anniversary of Le Mans Model

Rolex surprised the watch world today with their introduction of a fascinating new Rolex Daytona model, which many Rolex collectors and enthusiasts are praising as a new "Paul Newman" Daytona due to it's hyper-retro subdial markers, which are ironically reminiscent of Paul Newman's exotic white dial Daytona. I will have more coverage over this weekend, and you can be certain you will get "JAKE'S TAKE" on this new puppy!

Rolex Wrote:

    "Rolex is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race with an original version of its legendary chronograph. Crafted in 18 kt white gold, this new watch sports a Cerachrom bezel in black ceramic; on the tachymetric scale, the number ‘100’ in red ceramic evokes the race’s centenary."

    "Standing out against the bright black dial are intense white counters whose graphic design is inspired by a traditional Rolex dial. The Oyster case is fitted with a transparent back and an Oyster bracelet. This original timepiece is equipped with an exclusive movement, calibre 4132, which allows the hours of the chronograph function to be counted over twenty-four hours – another nod to the race – instead of the model’s usual twelve. 

    "This movement incorporates the Chronergy escapement, Paraflex shock absorbers, and bridges decorated with Rolex Côtes de Genève. The cut-out oscillating weight in 18 kt yellow gold is fitted with an optimized ball bearing. Like all Rolex watches, this special version of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist."

The 1964 Rolex Le Mans 

It's fascinating to note that Rolex initially planed to call the Rolex Daytona model, the Rolex Le Mans as we witness in this 1964 Rolex ad—which ironically kind of looks like the 100th Anniversary Rolex Daytona Le Mans Editon.

The first and incredible live wrist shot of the new Rolex Daytona, taken by Eric Collombin who is President of Rolex France. He took the picture at Le Mans, France, this weekend, chronograph running, while watching the race.

ROLEX PRESENTS Le Mans: 24 for 24: Episodes 1-24

ROLEX CELEBRATES

100 Years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Le Mans: 24 for 24

Episodes 1-24

Rolex wrote:

"Geneva, 1 June 2023 – One hundred years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans has come to this moment. The culmination of a century of technological advancements, extraordinary human endeavour and heroic performances, which Rolex has supported as the Official Timepiece since 2001. In just over a week’s time, from Saturday 10–Sunday 11 June, the oldest and most prestigious endurance race will celebrate its centenary at Circuit de la Sarthe in north-west France, witnessed by an expected record-breaking crowd of 300,000 people. With renowned manufacturers returning to the sport, all attempting to cover the greatest distance in this ultimate race against time, global interest in the 24 Hours of Le Mans has never been stronger."

ENGRAVED OYSTER PERPETUAL COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA PRESENTED TO THE 

WINNERS OF THE CENTENARY EDITION OF THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS 2023

Le Mans, in France, is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year, and Rolex decided to pay homage to this time-tested miracle of motorsport racing. Many famous Formula 1 (F1) champion racers have worn Rolex Daytona models at Le Mans, as we see below on F1 legend, Michael Schumacher in 1993.

Formula 1 Racing Legend, Michael Schumacher rocking his 

stainless steel Daytona [Reference 16520] back in 1993 

Rolex—as a speed machine—along with airplanes and the automobile have grown up together on parallel tracks that often intersect. This is a timeless tale of Man and hid machines:

We learn about Rolex's Conquest of speed in my article named "The Complete History of The Rolex Daytona", as well as in Nick Gould's amazing "Rolex's Road to Daytona...Rolex Racing Champions: The Evolution of The Rolex Racing Revolution." 

The King of Cool

@ Le Mans

Steve McQueen made a famous movie that debuted in 1971 named Le Mans at which time he famously wore his Rolex Submariner [Reference 5512] as seen in the photos below on his right wrist.

ROLEX & Le Mans

Rolex just dropped a magnificent series of new videos that pay homage to and showcase their long standing relationship with Le Mans, which can be seen below:

In the first episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, a series presented by Rolex and Warner Bros. Discovery about an event like no other, we take a look at the “toughest challenge in motor sport”, with Tom Kristensen, the most successful driver in the race’s history, narrating.

In episode 2 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, we take a look at the numbers behind the toughest challenge in motor sport.

In the third installment of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, a series building up to the 2023 edition of the race, we hear from legendary British driver Jenson Button as he explains to us his long-standing admiration for the race.

 

In the fourth episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the so-called Mr. Le Mans, Tom Kristensen, talks about the very special nature of the world’s oldest active endurance racing event.

In episode 5 of the series building up to the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the race’s most successful driver, Tom Kristensen, explains how tough it is to drive through the night.

In the sixth episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, we hear from Sir Jackie Stewart, one of the icons of motor sport, as he recalls his favorite memories of the race.

In episode 7 of ’Le Mans: 24 for 24’, Tom Kristensen relives what many consider the greatest edition of the race – the 2008 event.



In the eighth episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, Jamie Chadwick, three-time champion of the all-women W Series, explains why the 24 Hours of Le Mans is “the one everyone wants to win”.




In the ninth installment of ‘Le Mans: 24 For 24’, the preview series of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, we take a look at some of the trailblazing women of the legendary race who are helping break down barriers in what has traditionally been an industry dominated by men.



Join us for a very special episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 For 24’ as we take you on a lap of Le Mans ahead of the 2023 edition of the race.




In the 11th episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, we hear from Sir Jackie Stewart as he recalls the 1965 edition of the legendary race. It is interesting to note Sir Jackie Stewart bought his own yellow gold Rolex Day-Date after he won his first big race, and later became a Rolex brand ambassador.
   

Anny-Charlotte Verney has competed in 10 editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans – a women’s record. In episode 12 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, she speaks of her passion for the race co-founded by her grandfather.

In the 13th episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the video series that previews the legendary motor endurance race, we look at the incredible atmosphere that surrounds Le Mans.

In the 14th episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, a video series produced in partnership with Rolex that delves deep into the iconic race, we hear from some of the trailblazing women of Le Mans as they discuss the level playing field within the race and the rise of all-women teams.

Between 1997 and 2013, Tom Kristensen won the 24 Hours of Le Mans a record nine times, including six in a row (2000 to 2005). In episode 15 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the Danish driver explains how no single victory stands out for him and that he “learned a lot from all of them”.

In episode 16 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the video series building up to the centenary edition of the legendary race, we look at the iconic rivalry between Ford and Ferrari, one for the ages.

Episode 17 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’ takes a close look at the incredible career of Henri Pescarolo, a true legend of motor sport’s oldest, most prestigious endurance race.

Episode 18 of ‘Le Mans 24 for 24’ retraces Mark Webber’s experiences at Le Mans. The Australian driver was fortunate to escape a spectacular crash in 1999 and has also narrowly missed out on the top prize.

In episode 19 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, legendary British driver Derek Bell relives some of his most memorable moments in the iconic endurance race.

Derek Bell is pictured below with The King of Cool, Steve McQueen at Le Mans in 1970.

In the 20th episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the video series building up to the centenary edition of the legendary race, Mark Webber, Jamie Chadwick, Leena Gade, Henri Pescarolo and Jacky Ickx discuss the thrilling feeling they get from the start of 24 hours of Le Mans.

In episode 21 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, former Formula 1 star and five-time Le Mans competitor Mark Webber explains why Tom Kristensen is his hero from motor sport’s oldest, most prestigious endurance race. Kristensen won Le Mans on a record nine occasions between 1997 and 2013, including six in a row (2000 to 2005).

In episode 22 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, past winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans shed light on what attributes are needed to be successful in the world’s oldest and most prestigious endurance motor sport race.

In the penultimate episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, Howden Haynes, a nine-time winning race engineer with Audi, walks through the Le Mans centenary exhibition and explains some of the technological advancements and innovations that have been showcased at the prestigious race before making their way to production road cars.

In the final episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, Joaquin Jiminez, the designer of the centenary trophy, explains the creative process behind this special piece of silverware. Tom Kristensen, Jacky Ickx and Henri Pescarolo discuss how it feels to lift the winner’s trophy.

Below is a new Rolex video that covers the 100th Anniversary of Le Mans.

 

Ali Alqarni: Rolex Pepsi GMT-Master Aboard The International Space Station

Ali Alqarni

Rolex Pepsi GMT-Master Aboard

The International Space Station

I must begin this article by thanking Nick Gould for his significant contribution to this amazing article. Nick Gould made an amazing discovery last week and originally posted the first image seen below on Instagram in significantly lower-res where he said: 

"One of the coolest watch photos you will see in 2023. Saudi astronaut, Ali AlQarni took his ceramic @Rolex GMT-Master Pepsi with him for the Ax-2 mission. I spotted him wearing it during a video earlier in the week. On his return to Earth, he just posted this photo of the watch casually floating in zero gravity, aboard the International Space Station"

Science Fiction Becomes Reality

Ali Alqarni's photos totally remind me of the epic 1968 science fiction masterpiece, 2001 A Space Odyssey as his photos were taken aboard the Space Station which was just fantasy in 1968. So to see a Pepsi GMT-Master floating in zero-gravity in space onboard the real Space Station is a total trip. 

Ali Alqarni who is a Saudi Astronaut took the photos above and below last week during his Ax-2 mission aboard the International Space Station. Nick reached out to Ali Alqarni recently and asked him to send me a high-res version of this stunning image, and Ali surprised me by sending in the additional image seen below in addition:

Ali Alqarni appears to posses a beautiful harem of Rolex models, as we see in the photo below he is wearing a two-tone bluesy Rolex Submariner.