Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO Hong Kong Monday, May 30, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1962
    Reference No: 1675
    Movement No: D18388
    Case No: 877'109
    Model Name: GMT-Master
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, 1560, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, 160 mm. maximum length, end link stamped 258
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped 4.70
    Dimensions: 39 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Literature: For another example of a double Swiss underline reference 1675, please see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, page 192.

  • Catalogue Essay

    This watch is an astounding and incredibly rare variant of reference 1675. Produced in 1962, this watch was manufactured only 3 years after the launch of the reference. This beautiful lacquer dial features both an 'underline' and 'double Swiss' signature. Today, Rolex collectors and historians hypothesize that the underline and double Swiss signature denotes a transitional period, signifying Rolex's use of tritium on the dial instead of radium. Indeed, the serial number and production year supports this hypothesis.

    Since 'double Swiss underline' watches were produced for such a short time, examples like this rarely appear on the market, making this watch very special. The numerals on this watch have furthermore turned an attractive and rather beautiful ivory colour, which consistently match the hands. The lacquer dial is intact, and all the gilt lettering has been preserved in excellent condition. The watch is furthermore fitted with a small tipped hand and pointed crown guards, which is correct for early examples.

    These attributes fulfill even the most stringent standards which Rolex collectors are best known for.

  • 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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286

Ref. 1675
An extremely rare stainless steel dual time wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, black lacquer 'double Swiss underline' dial, pointed crown guards and bracelet

1962
39 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$90,000 - 150,000 

Sold for HK$450,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO

Hong Kong Auction 31 May 2016