Existing as perhaps the very foundation of Rolex’s offering, the Rolex Oyster is the watch from which every other model has been built upon. An admittedly utilitarian watch, its design is refined and free from excess like a lot of other Rolex models. A tool watch in its purest form, the example we have here is the ref. 6694. A more accessibly priced watch than most others from Rolex at the time, it made for the perfect watch for groups to buy in bulk, as was the case for this example. Ordered by the UAE Armed Forces, this example bears the UAE Armed Forces’ emblem on its white dial. In 1976, the Abu Dhabi Defence Force was joined with the UAE’s Federal Armed Forces, Dubai Defence Forces, and the Ras Al Khaimah Mobile Force to create the joint UAE military Armed Forces, whose emblem can be found on this example’s dial. A rare watch commemorating the conglomeration of the UAE’s defence forces, this timepiece’s history as a watch worn by servicemen perfectly matches its rugged design, tool watch status and Rolex’s reputation as a watchmaker obsessed with creating timepieces that can last a lifetime.