Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1972 Reference No: 1675 inside caseback stamped II.72 Movement No: D'366'606 Case No: 3'259'730 Model Name: GMT-Master Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Catalogue Essay
The Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 is one of the most iconic models manufactured by Rolex and introduced in 1959 replacing the first reference 6542. Early examples of the reference featured “glossy” black lacquered dials with matte dials introduced in 1964. Furthermore, a larger arrowhead for the extra hour hand is witnessed in later examples fitted with a matte dial.
The present example offered with an attractive dial bearing a 3.2 million serial from circa 1972 is preserved in excellent condition. The dial features attractive luminous plots aged uniformly with the luminous material on the hands to a beautiful caramel hue giving the present example an exemplified vintage appeal.
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.
