The Grail Gold GMT-Master, a unqiue Khanjar 1675/8

By Berend Bulang - April 2026 

 

The GMT has always played a big part in our collecting journey. To us, it is one of the greatest watches ever made — not just by Rolex, but full stop. There are only a handful of watches in the world that have earned that kind of universal respect, and the Rolex GMT-Master 1675 is absolutely one of them. For decades, collectors have obsessed over the steel versions with their iconic Pepsi inserts, and rightly so.

But if we are being honest, there has always been one plexi GMT that makes our hearts beat just a little faster….the gold 1675/8.

There is just something about it. The warmth of the yellow gold case, the richness of that brown nipple dial, the matching brown insert — it all comes together in a way that feels incredibly stylish, incredibly luxurious, and unmistakably of its time. It is the kind of watch that instantly makes you dream of the jet-set years of the 1970s and 1980s, long-haul flights, cigarette smoke in first class, linen shirts, gold bracelets, and that very particular kind of old-world glamour that hardly exists anymore. We love all gold GMTs.

But the one we have here may very well be the rarest GMT-Master you will ever see in your life! And we do not say that lightly.

 

One of only two known Rolex GMT-Masters 1675/8 with Khanjar Dial 

 

To really understand this watch, we have to go back for a moment to July 1970, when a young Qaboos bin Said took the throne of Oman in a bloodless coup against his father, Said bin Taimur. His ambition was clear from the beginning, to end Oman’s isolation and transform it into a modern nation. And that is exactly what he did. From the moment he became Sultan, he set the country on a completely new path — one of development, modernization, diplomacy, and greater openness to the world. He would go on to rule until 2020, becoming one of the most respected and influential leaders in the Middle East.

But beyond the statesman, beyond the ruler, there was also the man.And Sultan Qaboos was a man with taste.

Because of Oman’s close ties to Great Britain, he was educated in England, first in Bury St Edmunds and later at Sandhurst. During those years, he built relationships that would remain important throughout his life, one of the most notable being with Sir Timothy Landon — one of the most influential British figures connected to Oman in the early years of Qaboos’s reign. Landon became a trusted ally and played a major role in helping the Sultan shape modern Oman.

It was through this world of British connection, influence, and refinement that another important name entered the story, John Asprey from London.

Asprey was not just any jeweller. It held a unique position around the Sultan and the royal household, supplying luxury goods of the very highest level — jewellery, silverware, ceremonial pieces, and of course watches. It was a natural fit. A ruler with a strong sense of image, symbolism, and personal relationships, paired with one of London’s great luxury houses.

 

The Oman Embassy at 167 Queen's Gate, South Kensington London UK

 

And then there is the Khanjar.....

That now-iconic crest, so instantly recognizable today, became a defining symbol during the early years of Sultan Qaboos’s reign. It carried authority, heritage, legitimacy, and national pride. It is widely believed that Asprey advised on the use of the emblem across luxury objects commissioned for or by the Sultan, including watches. Whether given as gestures of friendship, gratitude, diplomacy, or recognition, these pieces became far more than beautiful objects. They became deeply personal gifts — things that carried meaning.

That is exactly why Khanjar watches have such magic to them!

 

The iconic Big Khanjar seen in a Rolex Day-Date 1807 

 

They are not just rare watches with a symbol on the dial. They represent relationships. Moments. Favors. Trust. They tell stories of diplomacy, generosity, and human connection in a way that very few watches can.

And then, every once in a while, one appears that simply stops you in your tracks. This watch is one of those….

 

A unique pair of Submariner and Sea-Dwellers carrying the Khanjar crest, royal Oman police crest and Qaboos signature - commissioned watches by the Sultan

 

What we have here is a 1974 Rolex GMT-Master 1675/8 with a large red Khanjar crest printed at six o’clock. That alone would already make it a remarkable watch. Seeing a Khanjar crest on any Rolex is special. Seeing one on a sports Rolex is something else entirely. Most seasoned collectors will know the famous Sea-Dweller 1665s with Khanjar dials, or some of the extraordinary hand-wound Daytonas that have reached astonishing levels at auction.

But a gold GMT-Master with a big red Khanjar? That is a different league of rarity! In fact, only two examples are known in this exact configuration. Let that sink in for a second!

 

One of only two known gold 1675's with Big Khanjar crest 

 

Because that is what makes this watch so breathtaking. It is not only beautiful — although it absolutely is. It is not only historically fascinating — which it also is. It is one of those incredibly rare moments where all the ingredients line up, combining beauty, the highest level of rarity and provenance! The feel of this watch on your wrist is simply unbelievable.

The matte brown nipple dial is flawless and full of character, with that rich warmth that only the best gold GMTs have. The large red Khanjar at six o’clock completely transforms the watch. It’s subtle in presence, yet bold in character and unmatched. It pulls your eye in immediately and gives the entire watch a totally different aura. Then there is the bezel — a beautifully aged, super fat font insert with exactly the sort of warm, honest charm we love to see on these pieces. Everything about it feels right. Not almost right. Right.

 

And when a watch already starts from such an incredibly high level, those small details matter even more.

We believe this example was delivered through Asprey in London, where the Khanjar crest was likely applied by or under the supervision of the Asprey workshop. Like many special-order Rolex pieces made for this world, the caseback is engraved with the full serial number — exactly the kind of detail you hope to see on a watch of this importance, and exactly the kind of detail that makes seasoned collectors smile.

 

The factory engraved the 18k gold case back with the full serial number and the RWC Ltd. engraving.

 

It is also worth saying that the watch has just come back from Rolex, where it received a full mechanical service. It is accompanied by its recent Rolex service receipt and warranty, and remains beautifully preserved overall.

 

The watch has been fully serviced by Rolex Australia in January 2026

 

And then there is the final part of the story, which somehow makes it even better.This watch comes from one of the best collections in the world. Before finding its way to us, it lived in exactly the sort of company a watch like this deserves — among some of the most respected and distinguished collections out there. And honestly, that tells you everything. Watches like this do not just drift around the market. They are hunted, cherished, admired, and held onto. For years sometimes. Decades even.

That is why an opportunity like this is so special!

 

 

Because this is not the kind of watch you can simply decide to find again later. It is not one of those pieces where another example will surely turn up in a few months or a few years. This is one of those watches that, once gone, may simply never cross your path again.

To the passionate Khanjar collector, to the lover of rare Middle Eastern-signed watches, to the serious vintage Rolex connoisseur — this is the stuff of dreams. Not just because it is rare, but because it has soul. Presence. Mystery. Weight. It is one of those watches that feels almost too special to exist in the first place.

We said it at the beginning, and we will say it again now: this may very well be the rarest GMT-Master you will ever see!

And without question, it is one of the most insane, charismatic, and unforgettable watches we have ever had the privilege to handle.

 

We are incredibly proud to now offer it for sale in our grail collection, click here to explore the full listing!