First released in in 1954, the GMT-Master reference 6542 was designed for pilots to use in their line of work. With the rise of international travel in the 1940s and 1950s, Rolex initially created the model for Pan Am airlines to track dual time zones. This ingenious design featured an immediately recognizable bakelite bezel with the twenty-four hour numerals painted on the underside, made to glow in any weather condition. Bakelite was Rolex's material of choice, due to its low reflectivity and high readability. The additional luminous 24 hour tipped hand allowed the viewer to immediately track a second time zone.

Given that the GMT-Master was created for specific, work-related purposes, most examples were cased in stainless steel. These watches were worn in the most practical sense and made to withstand the elements. Thus, it is incredibly to find watches in original condition, like the present example. Due to the immense fragility of these watches, it is incredibly rare to find examples fitted with their original bakelite insert.

This example is distinguished by its impressive state of preservation. The dial remains glossy and mirror-like, and the luminous material has aged evenly with the hands. The case remains in exceptional condition, with sharp edges and fat bevels. The bezel shows minimal wear, which is a feat in itself. Such excellent examples hardly ever come on the market, no less in such original condition. As an added detail, its accompanied by its original "Big Logo" bracelet stamped for the first quarter of 1959.