Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1965 Reference No: 1675 inside caseback stamped IV.64 Movement No: D35399 Case No: 1'251'442 Model Name: GMT-Master Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1560, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex riveted Oyster bracelet, max length 170mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped 4.65 Dimensions: 39mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated March 7, 1966, Bureaux Suisses de Controle Officiel de la Marche des Chronomètres, original invoice dated March 7, 1966, tag, presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
In 1954, Rolex launched one of its most iconic models: the GMT-Master. The timepiece was initially developed in collaboration with Pan American Airlines as to enable their pilots to simultaneously keep track of two time zones when flying from one location to another. Fitted with an extremely fragile Bakelite bezel, reference 6542 was replaced in 1959 by reference 1675 fitted with a more robust metallic insert.
The present watch is an exemplary version of the hallowed reference 1675. Preserved in impressive condition, it most notably displays a beautiful rich black lacquer dial with beautiful luminous markers. There is no telling how any dial will age, yet this particular one has aged beautifully and now displays strong and charismatic "pumpkin" patina - a detail that is highly sought after by collectors today. Furthermore, the dial is glossy, shiny and mirror-like, displaying no signs of cracking which is incredibly rare today. The bezel displays a red and blue tone, and the riveted bracelet is stamped for the fourth quarter of 1965, corresponding with the age of the watch.
Adding even more value to the already impressive condition of the timepiece, the present watch is accompanied by a plentitude of original accessories, adding another layer of collectibility. It is offered with its Rolex guarantee dated March 7, 1966, Bureaux Suisses de Controle Officiel de la Marche des Chronomètres, original invoice dated March 7, 1966 stating the watch was sold at Ollibant & Botsford Ltd for 83 pounds, tag, presentation box and outer packaging.
Such attractive and complete examples barely come on the market, underlying the collectibility of the present watch.
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.