Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: X Hong Kong Friday, July 10, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1962
    Reference No: 1675, inside caseback stamped I.63
    Movement No: 14’114
    Case No: 876’882
    Model Name: GMT-Master
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1560, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet, endlinks stamped “80”, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “4,63”
    Dimensions: 39mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Further accompanied by original Rolex guarantee dated 20th August 1967 stamped by Japanese retailer Yoshida Watch Company, Rolex Japan service guarantee, service quotation and invoice, original service receipt, extra gaskets, hang tag, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The ref. 1675 was introduced first in 1959, replacing the first GMT-Master ref. 6542. A milestone for Rolex, the new reference features new upgrades such as a metallic bezel insert differing from the previous delicate bakelite insert, crown guards to ensure protection of the crown and an updated caliber 1560. With a production spanning 21 years, the ref. 1675 was seized in 1980 and throughout its production span, many dial variations were introduced, with some rarer and some more common.

    Early examples of the reference were fitted with a glossy black dial, with or without a chapter ring. However, some variants included an “underline” on the dial with either a single or double “Swiss” designation at the bottom of the dial. The “underline” believed by many scholars and accredited collectors was Rolex’s signification of transitioning from radium to tritium being used as the luminous material.

    The present example is one of the rarest variations of an early example of the reference. From circa 1962, the numbers in between lugs are stamped 876 thousand correlating with the typical configuration witnessed. Extremely rare, the present example features a “tropical” gilt underline double “Swiss” dial with pointed crown guards. Fitted with already a rare dial, the pointed crown guards further confirms the period of the timepiece as well as heightening the rarity of this particular piece. Pointed crown guards were used by Rolex for a very short period of time until they upgraded it to a rounder overall design. Adding to its attraction, the present GMT-Master ref. 1675 is accompanied by the original Rolex Japan guarantee, Rolex Japan service invoice from 1975 and 1981 as well as the original service receipt, hang tag, extra gasket and original presentation box.

  • 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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834

Ref. 1675, inside caseback stamped I.63
A very rare, attractive and fine stainless steel dual-time wristwatch with center seconds, date, “tropical” gilt underline double “Swiss” dial, pointed crown guards, bracelet, guarantee and box

Circa 1962
39mm diameter
Case, dial and movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 240,000 
€13,100-26,200
$15,400-30,800

Sold for HK$200,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001

WatchesHK@phillips.com

 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: X

Hong Kong Auction 10 July 2020