Rolex - The 2021 New York Watch Auction New York Saturday, December 11, 2021 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1968
    Reference No: 1675; further stamped 1675 and IV.68 to the inside caseback
    Movement No: 296’116
    Case No: 2’013’101
    Model Name: GMT-Master “Pepsi”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 220mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex U.S.A. deployant clasp, stamped C&I and 1-70
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by punched and numbered guarantee, product literature, hang tag, fitted presentation box, and outer box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In production for more than 20 years, from 1959 to 1980, the Rolex GMT-Master reference 1675 was the highly successful and more robust replacement for the first GMT-Master model, the ref. 6542 introduced in 1954. First produced with “glossy” dials with gilt printing, Rolex switched to the use of matte dials as early as the 1.6 million serial number (circa 1967). While it has never been concretely known why the shift was made, matte dials were cheaper to manufacture, more robust, and less reflective.

    The present example bearing a 2.0 million serial number features the desirable Mark I dial depicted by the long “E” in Rolex and a “string-like” coronet unique to the series. Furthermore, when one views the dial under a loupe, the luminous hour markers display a “waffle-like” texture – a clear characteristic of Mark I dials. From the distinguished “Ride the Wave” collection, this Mark I GMT reference 1675 comes complete with its original punched and numbered guarantee papers, hang tag, and presentation box.

  • 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; further stamped 1675 and IV.68 to the inside caseback
An extremely well-preserved and early stainless steel dual time wristwatch with center seconds, date, bracelet, guarantee, and presentation box

Circa 1968
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.

Estimate
$12,000 - 18,000 
CHF11,200-16,800
€10,700-16,000
HK$93,600-140,000

Sold for $37,800

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