The present specimen from circa 1964 is a rare gem that will turn heads when one takes a close look. In the early 60s, the use of radium was progressively banned, several signs were used to indicate lower radiation levels during the transitional years. These signs that had to be as discrete as possible, would signify the watches were safe, or at least less harmful, and now considered the most exciting detail to have on a dial. Rolex produced two scarce variants of these dials for a very short span between 1963 to early 1964 with a serial range from 1’004’XXX-1’140’XXX which have become the cream of the crop to collectors, the rarified “Double Swiss” GMT-Masters. With the Swiss insignia appearing in repetition at the six o’clock position, the first variant carries the “Double Swiss” insignia with an addition of an “underline” beneath the “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” text.
This brings us to the most extraordinary feature that heightens the rarity of the present specimen, not only is the watch blessed with a gilt dial and PCG case, but a SWISS – T < 25, double swiss detail. The T<25 marking means that the watch contains an amount of tritium that emits less than 925 MBq (or 25 mCi, which is short for millicuries).
Extremely rare and incredibly well-preserved over 6 decades, PHILLIPS is honoured to present such example for the first time. The present specimen bearing a 1.09m serial has a beautiful faded red and blue bezel, against the ultra-attractive rich black glossy dial, the luminescent plots have also aged with incredible vintage appeal. Furthermore, the timepiece is accompanied with a period correct riveted bracelet that completes as a trophy piece for the discerning GMT aficionado.
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.
