For collectors who appreciate the beauty of ageing and perhaps a bit of ruggedness, the present Rolex GMT-Master might just be the one that makes your heart sing. Bearing a 2’854’XXX serial from third quarter of 1970 signified from the inside caseback, the present specimen of the ref. 1675 is fitted with a Mark I dial identifiable by its period-correct Rolex long “E” inscription with all three horizontal strokes extended to an equal, longer length. Delightfully, the softness of the black dial has aged naturally together with the vanilla hue lumes heightening its vintage appeal. Finishing off with a satisfying final touch, the iconic red and blue Pepsi bezel is blessed with an insert which gained an attractive faded patina. Guarantee to deliver precision and comfort, the watch is also fitted with a 7206 riveted Oyster bracelet stamped with matching period “3.71” on its clasp.
Offered with its original guarantee and preserved in an attractive overall condition, this is a beautiful example of the no-frills Rolex GMT-Master MK I ref. 1675 boasting with personal charm.
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.