Rolex - STYLED. Timeless Watches & How to Wear Them New York Wednesday, December 5, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1964
    Reference No: 1675
    Movement No: D82'843
    Case No: 1'084'774
    Model Name: GMT-Master
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K gold Rolex riveted Oyster bracelet, end links stamped 80, max overall length 210mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K gold Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 8.78
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied with punched Rolex guarantee, Rolex green leather presentation box, and hang tag.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Early examples of yellow gold reference 1675 GMT Master are a rarity. The immediate successor to the first generation GMT-Master reference 6542, this timepiece was used by pilots and aircraft personnel to keep track of different timezones during their travels. Designed as a tool watch, the vast majority were accordingly made in steel. Gold examples are therefore not only rare but provide a delightful element of flamboyance and self-confidence for the wearer.

    Rolex introduced the now iconic GMT-Master dual time wristwatch in 1954, developed with Pan American Airlines for both pilots and the jet-set. By 1959, Rolex upgraded the model and introduced the new reference 1675, which now had crown guards to prevent damage to the crown, and the fragile Bakelike bezel insert was replaced with a more resilient metal insert. The gold version of reference 1675, however, did not feature crown guards for another few years, such as the present example.

    This early and extremely attractive yellow gold GMT-Master, preserved in remarkable condition, is therefore a rare transitional model. Featuring rare and early luminous leaf hands, the watch’s attractiveness is further enhanced by its a vibrant grené dial with gold, cup-shaped luminous hour markers referred to by collectors as “bicchierini”. Offered with its original punched papers and presentation box, this hardly worn example retains its crisp bevels and factory finishing, with a dark brown bezel giving it stunning wrist presence. Gold reference 1675s are already quite rare. Yet, examples in such superb condition, without crown guards and complete with its original guarantee offer not only wearability and style for the collector, but also enduring value.

  • 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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94

Ref. 1675
An early, well preserved, and rare yellow gold dual time wristwatch with date, no crown guards, riveted bracelet, punched papers and presentation box

1964
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.

Estimate
$30,000 - 50,000 
CHF29,900-49,800
€26,100-43,400
HK$235,000-392,000

Sold for $76,250

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

STYLED. Timeless Watches & How to Wear Them

New York Auction 5 December 2018