Rolex - TOKI: Watch Auction Hong Kong Friday, November 22, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1966
    Reference No: 1675, inside caseback stamped “1675, II.66”
    Movement No: D14’054
    Case No: 1’481’902
    Model Name: GMT-Master
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster riveted bracelet stamped “7206”, endlinks stamped “80”, max length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “1.67”
    Dimensions: 39mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Fading from black to brown, the unique nature of “tropical dials” have charmed many for its unpredictable beauty. An organic phenomenon that transforms at random with the test of time, it is certain to say that not all “tropical dials” are equal with its patina. To find an example with the perfect exposure to nature, resulting the desirable brown hue is like finding a needle in a haystack, thus crowning them as the rarest finds amongst collectors.

    Finding the beauty in ‘imperfection’ in the Japanese culture is very well celebrated, the philosophy wabi-sabi (侘び寂び) believes that things are always more beautiful from bearing marks of age and individuality, and the present GMT-Master ref. 1675 is a perfect example.

    Early examples of the ref. 1675 featured desirable “glossy” gilt dials similar to its previous model ref. 6542.

The present example from circa 1966 belongs to one of the last examples of “glossy” gilt dials of the reference before its transition to matte dials. Boasting an incredible attractive “tropical’ dial, its rich brown hue and its warm caramel lume plots will court collectors with its charm. The case retains its defined lug bevels and crisp edges, the period correct bezel retains its rich ‘Pepsi’ colours. Unmistakably one-of-a-kind and well-preserved by a Japanese collector, your hunt for a coveted “tropical” 1675 is over.

  • 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.

    View More Works

Property of a Japanese Collector

25

Ref. 1675, inside caseback stamped “1675, II.66”
A well-preserved stainless steel dual-time wristwatch with date, center seconds, glossy “tropical” gilt dial and bracelet

Circa 1966
39mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$160,000 - 320,000 

Sold for HK$482,600

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2030
WatchesHK@phillips.com

Gertrude Wong
Head of Sale, Hong Kong
+852 2318 2045
gertrudewong@phillips.com

TOKI: Watch Auction

Hong Kong Auction 22 November