Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE Geneva Friday, May 12, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1968
    Reference No: 1675, inside case back stamped 1.68
    Movement No: D110'160
    Case No: 1'802'435
    Model Name: GMT-Master
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex C&I riveted Oyster bracelet, max. length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped 7-68
    Dimensions: 39.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by presentation box, Rolex booklet with guarantee and hangtag

  • Catalogue Essay

    With the growth of transatlantic fights, Rolex partnered with the world-renowned aircraft company Pan American Airways, also commonly referred to as “Pan Am”, to help their pilots combat the effects of jet lag while traveling through different time zones. The successor to the first GMT-Master reference 6542 with its fragile Bakelite bezel, reference 1675 was introduced in 1959 with a more practical metallic bezel insert.

    The bezel featured on the present example is gorgeous, having faded to an even, appealing shade of sky blue and fuchsia. The “Mark I” matte black dial is intriguing, and a characteristic unbeknownst to many Rolex collectors. A subtle nuance that serious collectors will notice, differentiating itself from later dial variants, is the long ‘E’ signature found within the “ROLEX” signature.

    Its luminous hour markers have aged to a beautiful, light shade of pistachio green, perfectly matching its hands. A noteworthy element to mention is the ‘ROW’ stamp found on the automatic 1570 movement - an import code indicating the watch was imported to the American market.

    Combining the charisma and pleasure of a true vintage watch along with great daily wearability, this superb example is accompanied by its presentation box, guarantee and hangtag, offering tremendous value and appeal 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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Ref. 1675, inside case back stamped 1.68
A very rare and highly attractive stainless steel dual time wristwatch with black matte dial, long 'E' signature, bracelet, presentation box, guarantee and hangtag

1968
39.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF10,000 - 15,000 
€9,300-13,900
$9,900-14,900

Sold for CHF27,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE

Geneva Auctions 13 – 14 May 2017