Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1971 Reference No: 1675 Movement No: D927’497 Case No: 2’889’687, inside caseback stamped III.70 Model Name: GMT-Master MK II Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “7836”, endlinks stamped “280”, max length 200mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “4.71” Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Eldorado Watch Co., LTD, Hong Kong dated 6th September 1975, product literature, green card holder, attestation, original invoice, Rolex Japan service invoice and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Released in 1959, the Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 was released to replace the first GMT-Master ref. 6542. In production until 1980, the ref. 1675 was the only GMT-Master model available during the period. Throughout its production span, upgrades on the dial and hands were implemented giving the reference a fruitful range for collectors to admire. While early examples of the reference featured gilt dials, Rolex replaced them with matte dials starting from 1966.
The present Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 with a 2.8 million serial from circa 1971 features a Mark II matte dial distinctive by its thick signature with “L” and “E” of “ROLEX” having a much closer gap compared to other letters. Boasting a nicely faded bezel insert and an attractive case, the present example is further complete with its original guarantee, original invoice as well as its original fitted presentation box.
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.
