Rolex - Racing Pulse New York Saturday, December 12, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1969
    Reference No: 1675
    Case No: 2’046’688
    Model Name: GMT-Master , Concorde
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold riveted Oyster bracelet, endlinks stamped 80, max overall length 215mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Rolex deployant clasp stamped 4.69
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Today, Rolex is renowned for some of the most iconic and treasured “tool watches” of the 20th century with models such as the Submariner, Daytona, and GMT-Master. First released in 1954, the GMT-Master reference 6542 was designed for pilots, and travellers to use while traversing the globe. With the rise of international travel in the 1940s and 1950s, Rolex and Pan American Airlines realised the need for a timepiece that would allow pilots to keep track of dual time zone while traveling, and developed an ingenious design with Bakelite bezel with 24-hour luminous numerals, and secondary GMT hour hand on the dial. The reference 6542 was replaced in 1959 with the introduction of the GMT-Master reference 1675, now sporting a metal bezel replacing the fragile Bakelite bezel, and crown guards for added protection. The reference 1675 was in production until approximately 1980, with the majority produced in stainless steel. Like the ref. 6542 before it, luxurious, 18 karat gold examples of the ref. 1675 were produced in far smaller quantities.

    The present example is in yellow gold is a very rare and sought after “Concorde” variant. Around 1969, Rolex published a series of advertisements stating "If you were flying the Concorde, you'd wear a Rolex" showing a yellow gold reference 1675 displaying baton hands, collectors consequently bestowed the “Concorde” name on this rare and attractive variant. The rich, lacquered brown dial features applied gold, nipple-shaped luminous hour markers, that beautifully complement the yellow gold case. The mahogany brown color of the dial perfectly bezel, and combined with the large, 39 mm case, provides a strong masculine aesthetic.

    Fitted on a taut riveted Oyster bracelet, the present timepiece has a pristine dial and wonderfully sharp case that retains its crisp factory bevels, hallmarks, and finished surfaces. Consigned by a prominent American collector it offers exclusivity, wearability, and timeless style.

  • 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, attractive, and well-preserved yellow gold dual time wristwatch with date and bracelet

Circa 1969
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
$25,000 - 50,000 
CHF22,500-45,100
€21,100-42,200
HK$194,000-388,000

Sold for $73,080

Contact Specialist

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

Racing Pulse

New York Auction 12 December 2020