Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1960 Reference No: 1675 Movement No: D44’644 Case No: 621’615 Model Name: GMT-Master Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1560, 25 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 205mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex USA Oyster deployant clasp Dimensions: 39mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Station Store R.C.A.F.3.(F) Wing Zweibrücken dated 11th August 1961, chronometer certificate, Bulletin de Marche chronometer certification, original receipt, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Born in the golden era of jet setting, the Rolex GMT-Master was introduced in 1954 and has secured its status in history as one of the most iconic wristwatches ever produced by any manufacturer. Developed in collaboration with Pan American Airlines as to enable their pilots to simultaneously keep track of two time zones when flying from one location to another. While the very first examples featured a fragile Bakelite bezel, it was later replaced with a metallic bezel with the introduction of the ref. 1675.
Taking over the throne, the ref. 1675 is arguably one of the most iconic ever produced by Rolex and praised by collectors still till this date. With a production spanning over 30 years, various iterations and upgrades to the reference were featured. Early reference examples were fitted with glossy black lacquer dials until 1966 when Rolex introduced the matte dial variants. Though with that said, the early examples were also segmented into various series and types due to features of the dial and case.
The present Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 from circa 1960 with a 621’XXX serial belongs to a rare and early example featuring a glossy black lacquer “SWISS” only dial with a chapter ring as well as an early case featuring pointed crown guards. Offered with its original guarantee stamped Station Store R.C.A.F.3.(F) Wing Zweibrücken, it was once a military air base for the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1953 to 1969. Not only that, but it is also accompanied by its original Bulletin du Marche chronometer certification and its original receipt dated 11th August 1961 stating its original purchase price of 108.80 dollars at the time.
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.
Ref. 1675 An attractive, rare and early stainless steel dual-time wristwatch with center seconds, date, black lacquer dial, chapter ring, pointed crown guards, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
Circa 1960 39mm diameter Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed