Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1961
    Reference No: 1675
    Movement No: D44'644
    Case No: 621’615
    Model Name: GMT-Master
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster C&I bracelet, max length 225mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant buckle, clasp stamped 7.62
    Dimensions: 39.5mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by original guarantee certificate, COSC certificate dated 8 March 1961, original sales receipt dated 11 August 1961, Rolex inner and outer presentation boxes, and original crystal.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex GMT-Master’s fascinating history began with Pan American Airways’ collaboration with Rolex to develop a watch that would allow their pilots to simultaneously keep track of time in two time zones. Reference 1675 was introduced in 1960 as the successor to the reference 6542 – the first GMT-Master launched in 1954. The reference 1675 introduced crown guards and a bezel with a metallic insert that was more robust than the 6542’s Bakelite bezel, notorious for its fragility even today among the collecting community.

    The present example displays many of the desirable traits of an early iteration of the reference 1675 GMT-Master: a small arrow tipped 24-hour hand, glossy lacquer dial, and gilt printing. It is further complemented by its original guarantee, COSC certificate, and sales receipt indicating it was sold in 1961 for 108.80 Deutsche marks.

    Thick luminous hour plots that have aged to a pleasing light beige match the pale gold gilt printing still visible on the dial, while the red and blue metallic insert has faded to create an ombré-effect where the portion of the insert closest to the dial is slightly more vibrant than the portion further away from the dial. Overall, the result is a magnificent specimen of an early 1675, and with its good looks and complete nature, should stir the pulse of any collector of vintage Rolex sports watches.

  • 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 very rare and highly attractive stainless steel dual time wristwatch with black lacquer dial, pointed crown guards, bracelet, original guarantee and fitted presentation box

1961
39.5mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 50,000 
€26,700-44,500
$30,200-50,400

Sold for CHF56,250

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