Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2019 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1971
    Reference No: 1675
    Movement No: D'869'795
    Case No: 2'605'719
    Model Name: GMT-Master
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 39.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    It is well known that the Rolex GMT-Master was born after a joint effort of Pan American Airlines and Rolex to create a pilot’s wristwatch. Reference 6542 was the first iteration of the product line and was originally made for pilots to keep track of “home” and “local” times. The reference 1675 was its successor, building on the model’s tool watch lineage, and was offered in stainless steel, stainless steel and gold, and all gold models. The professional vocation of the watch means that gold models are comparatively much more scarce and difficult to come by, especially in such attractive condition as the present piece: these were watches which were usually worn extensively by their original owner.

    The rich tones of the gold and brown bezel and dial, boosted by decades of aging, provide the wearer a glimpse into the golden era of travel. A handsome example, this GMT-Master ticks all the boxes for both the casual and serious collector with its distinguished gold case, beautiful dial, and excellent condition. It will bring years of pleasure to its next owner.

  • Artist Biography

    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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Ref. 1675
A fine and very rare yellow gold automatic dual time wristwatch with center seconds and date

Circa 1971
39.5mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF12,000 - 18,000 
€11,000-16,600
$12,200-18,400

Sold for CHF32,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE

Geneva Auction 11-12 May 2019