286
Rolex
Ref. 1675
GMT-Master
An extremely rare stainless steel dual time wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, black lacquer 'double Swiss underline' dial, pointed crown guards and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$90,000 - 150,000
HK$450,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- 1962
- Reference No
- 1675
- Movement No
- D18388
- Case No
- 877'109
- Model Name
- GMT-Master
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, 1560, 26 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel <em>Rolex Oyster </em>bracelet, 160 mm. maximum length, end link stamped 258
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel <em>Rolex</em> folding deployant clasp stamped 4.70
- Dimensions
- 39 mm. diameter
- Signed
- <em>Case, dial and movement signed</em>
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
This watch is an astounding and incredibly rare variant of reference 1675. Produced in 1962, this watch was manufactured only 3 years after the launch of the reference. This beautiful lacquer dial features both an 'underline' and 'double Swiss' signature. Today, Rolex collectors and historians hypothesize that the underline and double Swiss signature denotes a transitional period, signifying Rolex's use of tritium on the dial instead of radium. Indeed, the serial number and production year supports this hypothesis.
Since 'double Swiss underline' watches were produced for such a short time, examples like this rarely appear on the market, making this watch very special. The numerals on this watch have furthermore turned an attractive and rather beautiful ivory colour, which consistently match the hands. The lacquer dial is intact, and all the gilt lettering has been preserved in excellent condition. The watch is furthermore fitted with a small tipped hand and pointed crown guards, which is correct for early examples.
These attributes fulfill even the most stringent standards which Rolex collectors are best known for.
Since 'double Swiss underline' watches were produced for such a short time, examples like this rarely appear on the market, making this watch very special. The numerals on this watch have furthermore turned an attractive and rather beautiful ivory colour, which consistently match the hands. The lacquer dial is intact, and all the gilt lettering has been preserved in excellent condition. The watch is furthermore fitted with a small tipped hand and pointed crown guards, which is correct for early examples.
These attributes fulfill even the most stringent standards which Rolex collectors are best known for.
Literature
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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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