Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1961
    Reference No: 1675
    Movement No: D82380
    Case No: 694'175
    Model Name: GMT-Master, "Gilt Underline"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1560, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel expandable riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 6636, endlinks stamped 58, max. length 205mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp, stamped 4.63
    Dimensions: 39.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by presentation box, Rolex guarantee and hangtag

  • Catalogue Essay

    With the growth of transatlantic flights, Rolex teamed up 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. As 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 glossy black dial is absolutely mesmerizing with its glistening lacquer coating that still shines, and gilt text that complements it beautifully. A subtle nuance that serious collectors will notice is the super imposed “underline” marking found beneath the “Officially Certified” designation, indicating the use of tritium instead of radium. Early examples of the GMT-Master are adored amongst collectors. Those fitted with the highly sought after “underline” dial such as the present lot are especially coveted, making this reference 1675 a worthy watch for the discerning collector.

  • 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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147

Ref. 1675
A very rare, early and attractive stainless steel dual time zone wristwatch with black glossy "underline" dial and bracelet, accompanied by presentation box, guarantee and hangtag

1961
39.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF10,000 - 15,000 
€9,200-13,800
$10,300-15,500

Sold for CHF27,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016