Manufacturer: Rolex Year: circa 1965 Reference No: 1675 Movement No: D68'714 Case No: 1'117'358 Model Name: GMT-Master "Concorde" Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet, max length 210mm. Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped 2.65 Dimensions: 39mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Catalogue Essay
Early examples of yellow gold reference 1675s are rare sightings. The immediate successor to the first original GMT-Master version reference 6542, this timepiece was used by pilots and aircraft personnel to keep track of the different timezones during their travels. Being a tool watch the vast majority were made in steel. The gold model therefore is not only rare but adds a certain element of flamboyance and self-confidence to the watch.
Introduced in 1959, reference 1675 was upgraded with crown guards, and a metal bezel, rendering the watch more robust. The gold version of reference 1675, however, did not feature crown guards for another few years, such as the present example.
The present example not only does without the crown guards but also features the über rare baton hands referred to by collectors as “Concorde” hands. This nickname comes from a Rolex advertisement presenting the gold 1675 with these baton hands next to the famous sonic plane with the tag line “If you were flying the Concorde tomorrow you’d wear a Rolex".
These transitional models are particularly sought after by collectors, especially when preserved in such excellent 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".
Adding to the overall appeal and cool nonchalance of this watch is the Rolex Jubilee bracelet.
Gold reference 1675s are already quite rare. Yet, examples in such superb attractive condition, without crown guards and with the rare “Concorde” hands offer not only wearability and style for the collector, but also enduring value.
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.