Rolex - Rolex Milestones: 38 Legendary Watches That Shaped History Hong Kong Sunday, November 27, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1963
    Reference No: 1675, inside case back stamped I V. 63
    Movement No: 52'108
    Case No: 1'004'133
    Model Name: GMT-Master
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, 1560, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 6636, 190 mm. maximum length, end links stamped 80
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 3.64
    Dimensions: 39 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With Rolex hangtag, product literature, leather wallet, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
    Literature: For another example of a double Swiss underline reference 1675, please see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, page 192.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 1675 was introduced in 1960 as the successor of the reference 6542. Early examples, such as the present watch, featured pointed crown guards. The steel insert did not carry radium, which by then was considered a health hazard.

    John Goldberger's Opinion

    Rolex produced a limited number of dials in 1962 and 1963 featuring both an 'underline' and 'double Swiss' signature, which we see on this watch. Scholars hypothesize that this designates a transitional period where Rolex used tritium instead of radium. This watch’s 1 million serial number supports this theory, as does the inside case back, stamped for the third quarter of 1963.

    Since 'double Swiss underline' watches were produced for such a short time, examples like this are very rare. The numerals on this wristwatch have ‘turned’ a rather beautiful light yellow color, which consistently match the hands. The lacquer dial is intact, and all the gilt lettering has been preserved in excellent condition. Furthermore, the timepiece pictured here is fitted with a small tipped luminous hand and ‘Cornino’ pointed crown guards, which is correct for early examples.

    The red sector of the bezel has faded to an orange tone, while the blue sector displays a sky blue color. The present watch is a truly fantastic example, complemented by the addition of its bracelet, box and hang tag.

  • 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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810

Ref. 1675, inside case back stamped I V. 63
A rare stainless steel dual time wristwatch with center seconds, date, lacquer ‘double Swiss underline’ dial, bracelet and fitted presentation box

Circa 1963
39 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$96,000 - 192,000 
$12,000-24,000

Sold for HK$525,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
International Department Head
+85 26 773 93 15

Rolex Milestones: 38 Legendary Watches That Shaped History

Hong Kong Auction 28 November 2016