Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1978 Reference No: 1675 Movement No: D795’334 Case No: 5’531’234 Model Name: GMT-Master, MK V Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “93150”, endlink stamped “585”, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “A” Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped K.K. Nagatoya dated 13th May 1979, instruction manual, product literature, Rolex Japan service guarantee, Rolex service guarantee, 1978 calendar card, green card holder, green passport holder, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Introduced in 1959, the Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 is arguably the most iconic reference in the lineage of the coveted dual time model. Whilst early examples of the ref. 1675 featured a glossy gilt dial, later examples from 1966 onwards featured a matte black dial with various marks to complete its production ending in approximately 1979. Rolex reintroduced glossy dials to the reference after their matte dial production and the ref. 1675 was entirely discontinued in 1984.
The present example Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 from circa 1978 with a 5.5 million serial features a MK V dial configuration identifiable by the alignment of the “M” from “MASTER” which sits right in between “CH” of “CHRONOMETER”. Offered in excellent overall condition with an attractive faded bezel insert is accompanied by its full set of accessories.
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.