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25

Rolex

Ref. 1675

GMT-Master

A rare stainless steel dual time wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, black lacquer dial, pointed crown guards and bracelet

Estimate
HK$80,000 - 120,000
HK$250,000
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
1960
Reference No
1675
Movement No
D44399
Case No
621'396
Model Name
GMT-Master
Material
Stainless steel
Calibre
Automatic, 1560, 25 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Stainless steel <em>Rolex Oyster </em>bracelet, 170 mm. maximum length, end link stamped 58
Clasp/Buckle
Stainless steel <em>Rolex</em> folding deployant clasp stamped <em>Rolex 2.65</em>
Dimensions
39 mm. diameter
Signed
<em>Case, dial and movement signed </em>
Catalogue Essay
The present watch is an early example of the reference 1675, and is very special for a number of reasons. Firstly, the watch features pointed crown guards, lovingly dubbed 'El Cornino' by Rolex enthusiasts. The crown guards still retain their sharp edges. Examples of reference 1675 fitted with pointed crown guards are incredibly rare, and only very early examples carry this feature. Secondly, this watch features a glossy lacquer dial with gilt graphics, which is among the most collectable within the 1675 family. Scholarship leads us to believe that the dial is slightly later than the watch, due to the Swiss T<25 signature at 6 o'clock. However, given that the dial and case date only three years apart, it is entirely possible that this watch left the factory in its present state. Thirdly, the watch retains its small tipped 24 hour hand - another indicator that the present watch is a very early variant of reference 1675. Finally, the numerals and hands have aged evenly to a beautiful cream color, and the bezel has faded from a pepsi color to light blue and magenta. The bezel really gives this watch a lot of character and presence on the wrist.

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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