Early Rolex GMT with glossy black and gilt dial

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Early Rolex GMT with glossy black and gilt dial

About the Item

Rolex. A Stainless Steel GMT Wristwatch with Chapter Ring dial and pointy crown guards Model: GMT-Master Reference: 1675 Circa: 1961 Case. Three-body, polished and brushed, curved lugs, screw down case back and crown, Twin lock winding-crown protected by the pointy crown guard, bidirectional revolving graduated 24-hour red and blue bezel for the second time zone, red side of bezel has taken an light orange patina., crystal with cyclops lens. Case is in extremely good condition, very thick with much beveling definition, not much scratches and no digs or dent. Dial. Black with luminous round, baton and triangular indexes, outer minutes/ seconds track, aperture for the date with cyclops lens. Luminous steel skeleton hands. Dial gilt writing has turned into a dark copper,contrasting beautifully with the glossy black dial. Movement. Cal. 1560, rhodium-plated, 26 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating freesprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws. 40mm The Rolex GMT-Master was created to display multiple timezones at once for Pan-Am pilots as they began to operate more transatlantic flights, and became one of the most popular “tool” watches in the aviation industry. The first reference was the 6542, introduced in 1954. Featuring a bakelite bezel (which was used for the first two years of production and then changed to an aluminum bezel) and with no crown guards, it was only in production for a few short years before the new reference 1675 was introduced in 1959. Reference 1675 was available in stainless steel or 18k yellow gold, and by the 1970’s was available in a metal combination of steel and gold, known as “Rolesor”. Production of the reference 1675 ceased in the early 1980’s, and was succeeded by the modern 16750 reference. With such a long span of production, vintage GMT-Master have enjoyed immense popularity. Examples that feature certain traits have become more desirable in recent years. One such trait is the presence of a black gloss dial with gilt text, which requires several layers to be applied to the metal base – the gilt text and markers are printed underneath the black background and shine through. The present example is preserved in excellent overall condition, with a very thick case, beautiful defined lugs. It has a spotless black dial with a beautiful copper tone gilt writing and luminous numerals that have aged in a uniform tone. Perfect for the most discerning collector.

Creator:
Rolex
Case Material:
Stainless Steel
Case Dimensions:
Width: 40 in (1,016 mm)
Place of Origin:
Switzerland
Period:
1960-1969
Date of Manufacture:
1960
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
New York, NY
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU33421686843

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Rolex

While the rise in popularity of vintage Rolex watches is of no surprise to aficionados, collectors and industry experts, when it comes to contemporary luxury wristwatches, Rolex is also often the first brand that springs to mind. Not only is the company revered for its precision timekeeping and impeccable craftsmanship, but its name was designed to be memorable.

Rolex's enviable worldwide recognition can be credited in part to the genius of company founder Hans Wilsdorf. When the German-born watch dealer and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, set up their London enterprise, in 1905, they called it Wilsdorf & Davis, according to the traditional formula.

But Wilsdorf was determined to come up with another name that was short, would look good on a watch dial and was easy to say and remember in several languages. In 1908, he trademarked the name Rolex, and by 1920, he had moved the company to Geneva and redubbed it as Montres Rolex S.A.

But the main reasons for the brand’s success are its aforementioned commitment to precision and unflagging pursuit of innovation. In 1926, the company introduced the aptly named Oyster model. With a screw-down crown and case back, both fitted with rubber gaskets, this was the first truly waterproof watch.

Five years later, Rolex upped the ante with the Oyster Perpetual. That model’s patented Perpetual movement contained a rotor mechanism enabling it to self-wind. In another trendsetting move, in 1945, the brand debuted the Datejust, with a date window prominently displayed on the dial.

The company’s two most iconic models are sports watches. Although the Submariner, which debuted in 1953, was developed as a dive watch, its waterproof case, solid construction and good looks made it a favorite of adventurers and urbanites alike, including James Bond, who wore it in classics like Dr. No and Goldfinger. The Daytona, the racing chronograph made famous by Paul Newman, is especially sought after by collectors. Newman’s personal Daytona, which hit the auction block in 2017, sold for $17.8 million.

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