In production for more than 20 years, from 1959 to 1980, the Rolex GMT-Master reference 1675 was the highly successful and more robust replacement for the first GMT-Master model reference 6542. First produced with “glossy” dials with gilt printing, Rolex switched to the use of matte dials as early as the 1.6 million serial number (circa 1967). While it has never been confirmed by Rolex exactly why the shift was made, matte dials are believed to be less expensive to manufacture, more robust, and less reflective.

The earliest matte dials fitted to cases bearing the 1.6 million serial number are known to collectors as the “Mark 0” type dial. These dials are printed in the exact same manner as the final version of the glossy gilt dial, known as “Type C”, with all the same characteristics. As Rolex scholarship is always evolving, the “Mark 1” dial was previously thought to be the earliest iteration, but the uncovering of the early iteration led to a new additional classification. These early “Mark 0” dials are paired with the small GMT hand seen on galvanic dial, gilt printing 1675s.

Transitional references in Rolex’s past catalogue are amongst the most interesting and sought-after examples across all models. They are the ones that redefine scholarship and demonstrate how young this collecting category really is. This extremely early matte dial 1675 is a premium example, with all the characteristics of the recently discovered “Mark 0” variant. Highly collectable and preserved in phenomenal condition with a beautiful dial and, in our opinion, unpolished case, the present 1675 from an important collector is a rare opportunity to obtain a coveted reference.