Rolex - Racing Pulse New York Saturday, December 12, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1967
    Reference No: 1675
    Movement No: D102’235
    Case No: 1’671’962
    Model Name: GMT-Master
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet, stamped 7206, endlinks stamped 80, max overall length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped 3-69
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex GMT-Master’s fascinating history began with Pan American Airways’ collaboration with Rolex to develop a watch that would allow their pilots to simultaneously keep track of time in two time zones. The reference 1675 was introduced in 1959 as the successor to the reference 6542 – the first GMT-Master launched in 1955. The reference 1675 introduced crown guards and a bezel with a metallic aluminum insert that was stronger and more robust than the 6542’s Bakelite bezel, notorious for its fragility and susceptibility to breakage.

    The present example from 1967 displays many of the desirable traits of an early iteration of the reference 1675 GMT-Master: a gorgeous black glossy lacquer dial and gilt printing. Its case is unrestored, having never seen a polishing wheel, and retaining its original, crisp edges and bevels as the day it left the factory more than five decades ago. Accordingly, the present example is a wonderful example for any vintage Rolex sports watch collector. But those elements simply enhance the attractive qualities taken on by this specific wristwatch in the past fifty-three years. The metallic insert has remained extremely vibrant, and has changed color from red to a vivid and consistent fuchsia color highly prized by collectors, while the original blue portion has also faded and is especially attractive. Its bold tritium luminous hour plots have aged to a rich, dark beige color and have patina matching the pale gold gilt printing.
    Combining the charisma and pleasure of a true vintage watch along with great daily wearability, this beautiful example offers tremendous value and practicality for collectors. The present lot, with its striking appearance, is being sold to benefit The Institute for Digital Archaeology, a non-profit organization promoting digital techniques in archaeology, epigraphy, art history, and museum conservation.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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Ref. 1675
A rare and attractive stainless steel dual time wristwatch with “glossy” gilt dial, date and bracelet, sold to benefit the Institute for Digital Archaeology

Circa 1967
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
$15,000 - 25,000 
CHF13,700-22,900
€12,700-21,200
HK$116,000-194,000

Sold for $35,280

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor
Senior Vice President
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

Racing Pulse

New York Auction 12 December 2020