“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.