Rolex - Game Changers New York Tuesday, December 10, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1962
    Reference No: 1675
    Movement No: D58903
    Case No: 876'998, case back interior further stamped 1.63
    Model Name: GMT-Master, "Gilt Underline"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet, stamped 7206, end links stamped 80 max length 210mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped 1.64
    Dimensions: 39.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Guarantee signed USAF EES Generalissimo (Madrid) and dated February 25, 1965, Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres dated May 28, 1964, green leather Rolex presentation box, tie tag, original crystal, hand written letter from the original owner along with his Unit calling card and image of the owner with his unit and plane.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present GMT Master reference 1675 is fresh-to-the- market, with an exceptional “fighter pilot” provenance, and consigned by the second owner who acquired the timepiece directly from its original owner. The watch was purchased in February 1965 at the USAF exchange at Torrejon Air Base outside Madrid, Spain. The owner was a Navigator and Fire Control Officer on an AC 130 and completed tours of duty from 1969 to 1971 in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. A wonderful representation of a transitional GMT-Master, the black glossy “Swiss only” dial of the present example is amongst the earliest configurations which lack the use of a chapter ring found in prior iterations of the reference. In addition, the current example showcases a lower “underline” at 6 o’clock on the dial beneath the “Officially Certified”, a designation indicating the use of tritium luminous material on the dial as opposed to radium. This marking is typically found on watches produced between 1962 and 1963 as a result of a ban on the use of radium. Additionally, the present watch features the early and coveted “el cornino” crown guards.

    In wonderful overall condition, the case retains its original bevels and contours as delivered by the factory, having in our opinion, never been polished. The dial is a gorgeous example with a beautiful black glossy finish, and perfectly intact lume plots. The hour and minute hands are original gilt with lume matching in color to the dial, and the GMT hand has the correct small arrowhead at its tip.

    The present combat-worn example is a rare and complete treasure from a transitional era in the history of Rolex and is accompanied by its original guarantee, its original chronometer certificate, and presentation box, as well as a hand-written letter from the original owner along with photograph depicting his image and unit.

  • Artist Biography

    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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Ref. 1675
A rare and fine stainless steel dual time wristwatch with glossy “underline” dial and bracelet, accompanied by original guarantee, chronometer certificate, provenance letter, and presentation box

1962
39.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.

Estimate
$25,000 - 50,000 
CHF24,900-49,700
€22,700-45,300
HK$196,000-391,000

Sold for $72,500

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor
Senior Vice President
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

Game Changers

New York Auction 10 December 2019