Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1966
    Reference No: 1675
    Movement No: D83051
    Case No: 1'437'531
    Model Name: GMT-Master
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Jubilee, stamped 4.64, end links stamped 55, max. length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    With the growth of transatlantic flights, Rolex teamed up with the world-renowned aircraft company Pan American Airways, also commonly referred to as “Pan Am”, to help their pilots combat the effects of jet lag while traveling through different time zones.

    As the successor to the first GMT-Master reference 6542 with a fragile bakelite bezel, reference 1675 was introduced in 1959 with a more practical metallic bezel insert. The present example has aged in an utmost beautiful way, as the bezel has faded into lovely shades of light blue and red, and is fitted with a wonderful black lacquer dial. Adding to its desirability, this example has a military-issued provenance indicated by the "Fuerza Aerea del Perú" engraving found on its caseback.

    The Peruvian Air Force supplied their employees with Rolex watches based on their rank. As seen in the previous Lot 143, Rolex watches that were designed for the Peruvian Air Force had the full serial number of each watch engraved both in between the lugs at 12 o’clock and on the inside of the caseback.

    This example is presented on an attractive Rolex Jubilee bracelet.

  • 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.

    View More Works

144

Ref. 1675
A rare and attractive stainless steel wristwatch with date, bracelet, centre seconds and dual time zone, made for the Peruvian Air Force

1966
39mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 35,000 

Sold for CHF31,250

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm