Rolex - The 2021 New York Watch Auction New York Saturday, December 11, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1961
    Reference No: 1675
    Movement No: D56’622
    Case No: 696’416
    Model Name: GMT-Master
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1560, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet, endlinks stamped 58, overall max length 170mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped 4.61
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by green leather Rolex presentation box, Rolex hang tag, and product literature. Further accompanied by original Rolex cyclops crystal.

  • Catalogue Essay

    With the growth of transatlantic flights and the golden age of air travel, Rolex collaborated with world-renowned Pan American Airways to develop a dual time wristwatch to assist their pilots with combating the effects of jet lag while traveling through different time zones. As the successor to the first GMT-Master reference 6542 released in 1955 with the now iconic yet fragile Bakelite bezel, the reference 1675 was introduced in 1959 with a far more durable metallic bezel insert. Crown guards were also introduced with the ref. 1675, serving the functional role of protecting the winding crown, which were introduced the same year with the Submariner reference 5512. Early examples like the present watch featured pointed crown guards, sensuously shaped like “little horns”, affectionately referred to by collectors as “cornino”. The case construction differed from the 6542 with a more robust and thicker design.

    This early GMT-Master is a wonderful example of Rolex’s iconic model. From 1961, this tool watch features its original and stunning black glossy “Swiss”-only dial with gilt print reading “Superlative Officially Certified Chronometer” that has developed a pleasing deep brown tropical shade. The luminous hour markers have nicely aged and perfectly match the luminous hands, completed with its original, luminous 24-hour hand with small arrow tip. The red day segment of the bezel has naturally aged to a light and appealing shade of red, while the blue night sector remains deep.
    Offered with its Rolex presentation box and hang tag, this lovely Rolex 1675 combines great daily wearability with rarity, and is a premium example for collectors.

  • 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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163

Ref. 1675
An early and rare stainless steel dual time wristwatch with pointed crown guards, black lacquer dial, date and bracelet with presentation box and hang tag

Circa 1961
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
$25,000 - 50,000 
CHF23,100-46,300
€22,200-44,300
HK$195,000-390,000

Sold for $50,400

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros

Head of Watches, Americas

+1 (212) 940-1293

WatchesNY@Phillips.com

 

The 2021 New York Watch Auction

New York Auction 11 - 12 December 2021