267
Rolex
Ref. 6542
GMT-Master
A fine and rare stainless steel dual time wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, roulette date wheel, black lacquer dial, bakelite bezel, bracelet, guarantee and fitted presentation box
- Estimate
- HK$300,000 - 420,000
HK$325,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1959
- Reference No
- 6542
- Movement No
- DN911629
- Case No
- 482'971
- Model Name
- GMT-Master
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, 1066, 25 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel <em>Rolex Oyster </em>bracelet, 195 mm. maximum length, end link stamped 65
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel <em>Rolex </em>folding deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 38 mm. diameter
- Signed
- <em>Case, dial and movement signed</em>
- Accessories
- With <em>Rolex </em>Guarantee dated 12 May 1961, product literature and fitted presentation box.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The first GMT-Master, reference 6542, was launched in 1955 and featured an acrylic or bakelite bezel insert and a case without crown guards. The present watch is an appealing example of this reference and has been preserved in attractive and original condition and features the much sought after bakelite bezel. The black lacquer dial with gilt printing is original and the lumes have aged nicely and now showing a warm orange tone. Overall a very pleasing and charismatic watch still retaining its guarantee at the time of sale.
Literature
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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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