Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1969
    Reference No: 1675
    Movement No: D23'0666
    Case No: 1'934'450
    Model Name: GMT-Master "Concorde"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold, riveted Oyster bracelet, endlinks stamped 80, max length 195 mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Rolex deployant clasp stamped 4.68
    Dimensions: 39mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by punched Rolex guarantee, COSC certificate, hangtag, leather wallet and fitted box

  • Catalogue Essay

    “If you were flying the Concorde tomorrow you’d wear a Rolex" stated a Rolex advertisement from the late 60s featuring a pilot of the iconic supersonic plane wearing a yellow gold reference 1675 with rare “stick” hands.

    The memory of the superb result of aircraft engineering genius persists still today with this timepiece.

    The original GMT-Master reference 6542 was replaced by reference 1675 which sported crown guards and had its original rotating calibrated Bakelite bezel replaced with a more durable metal one.

    Reference 1675 was produced from 1959 until 1980 and was used by pilots and aircraft personnel to keep track of the different time zones during their travels. Being a tool watch, the vast majority were made in steel.

    The present example features the über rare baton hands referred to by collectors as “Concorde” hands, in reference to the original Rolex advertisement.

    These transitional models are particularly sought after by collectors, especially when preserved in such excellent and complete condition as the present lot. It is fitted with a most attractive matte grain finished dial, highlighted by the gold cup shaped hour markers, also known by Italian collectors as "bicchierini".

    Gold reference 1675 models are not only rare but also have a certain debonair rakishness to them, however finding one in such incredible untouched condition complete with punched papers and box is a collector's dream.

  • 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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Δ174

Ref. 1675
An early, rare and attractive yellow gold dual time wristwatch with date, bracelet with punched papers and box

1969
39mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 
€43,200-86,300
$51,700-103,000

Sold for CHF115,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017