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1056

Rolex

Ref. 16710

GMT-Master II, "Chuck Yeager"

A fine, well preserved and rare limited edition stainless steel dual time wristwatch with center seconds, date, “Chuck Yeager” dial, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box, numbered 1 of a limited edition of 50 pieces

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With an illustrious career as a fighter pilot for the United States Air Force, Captain Chuck Yeager (1923-2020) was further known for being the first ever human to travel faster than the speed of sound with the fast and furious Bell X-1 jet plane which he flew over the Mojave Desert in. During his time as a fighter pilot, Captain Chuck Yeager was also celebrated by watch enthusiasts as he famously wore a Rolex during his flights including an Oyster Perpetual, a ref. 6538 “Big Crown” and most notably his Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 16710. Yeager sent a signed autograph image of the Bell X-1 and himself to Hans Wilsdorf, and 60 years later Rolex featured Yeager in an advertisement as a testament to his exceptional career.

Celebrated by many, a Japanese brand “The Real McCoy’s” released a limited edition of 50 watches to commemorate General Chuck Yeager 50 years anniversary of the historical flight and his relationship with Rolex and the community. The Rolex GMT-master ref. 16710 is fitted with a special dial featuring its signature “Chuck Yeager” designation in red above “GMT-Master II” and a specially engraved case back with pictogram of the Bell X-1 jet plane and further engraved with “General Chuck Yeager, October 14 1947, 01/50”.

The present example Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 16710 “Chuck Yeager” is not only the first example of this iconic limited edition, it is also offered in “unworn” condition and with its full set of accessories.

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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