Rolex - STYLED. Timeless Watches & How to Wear Them New York Wednesday, December 5, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1971
    Reference No: 1675
    Movement No: D059’513
    Case No: 2’870’016
    Model Name: GMT-Master
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex GMT-Master has long established itself as a purpose built sports watch. The reference 6542 was the first iteration of the product line and was originally made for pilots to keep track of “home” and “local” times. The reference 1675 was its successor, building on the model’s tool watch lineage, and offered in stainless steel, stainless steel and gold, and all gold models. The present example was one of the first sports watches to be offered in a solid gold case, catering to a new type of client who valued utilitarian design with prestige and class. A stylish alternative of the reference’s original “tool watch” roots, the 18K yellow gold case coupled with a suave brown bezel and dial is a reminder of the glitz and glamour air travel used to be known for.

    The example presented is remarkable for its exceptional state of preservation. Still retaining its original caseback sticker and showing signs of hardly ever being worn, it offers more than just a gold case. Its beautifully aged brown bezel and nipple dial– now turning the color of a full-bodied red wine– applied Rolex coronet, and sparkling gold lettering give this model substantial depth to its beauty. The untouched case and matching luminous further enhance the watch’s appeal. The rich tones of the gold and brown, developed over decades, provide the wearer a glimpse into the golden era of travel. A handsome example, this GMT-Master ticks all the boxes for both the casual and serious collector with its distinguished gold case, beautiful dial, and outstanding condition. It will bring years of pleasure to its next owner.

  • 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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Ref. 1675
A rare, highly attractive, and exceptionally well-preserved yellow gold dual time wristwatch with center seconds and date

1971
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.

Estimate
$12,000 - 18,000 
CHF12,000-17,900
€10,400-15,600
HK$94,100-141,000

Sold for $36,250

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

STYLED. Timeless Watches & How to Wear Them

New York Auction 5 December 2018