Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1968 Reference No: 1675 Movement No: D’708’358 Case No: 1’900’235, inside caseback stamped I.68 Model Name: GMT-Master, MK I Material: Stainless Steel Calibre: Automatic, Cal. 1570, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster riveted bracelet, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “Rolex USA”, “7-68” Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex punched guarantee retailed by Haltom’s Jewelers, Texas dated 15th Oct 1971, green card holder, hang tags and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
The present example with serial number 1,900,235 from circa 1968 flaunts a beautiful matte black dial with many desirable traits, including a ‘MK 1’, ’Long E’ matte dial configuration. Another noteworthy point to mention on the present lot is that the luminous hour indexes with ‘waffle like texture’ that are found in early serial range, the present lot have aged to an intense ‘pumpkin’ orange patina that is further complimented by the matching handsets.
This early GMT-Master is in great overall condition, is enhanced by the original guarantee paperwork, hang tag with the serial numbers printed on it and along with the Rolex presentation box. Collectors today are seeking for rare and complete-set GMT-Master and the present lot is a wonderful iteration of this now iconic timepiece.
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.