Rolex

nickel lever movement (cal.1066), 25 jewels, free-sprung mono-metallic balance, adjusted to temperature and 5 positions, black dial (now aged to brown), gilt tracks and signature, luminous dot, baton and triangular numerals, centre seconds, red 24-hour hand, aperture for date, rotating bakelite blue and red bezel calibrated for 24 hours, Oyster case with screw-down back and crown, inscription to case back, case, dial and movement signed, with a Rolex Jubilee bracelet and folding clasp, accompanied by a Rolex booklet, numbered guarantee and service documents   

The present watch is accompanied by a service request invoice from Rolex in Bexley dated 17.6.64. That invoice notes that the watch was sold on 23rd August 1960 by H.Chapman & Co., jewellers in Chelmsford.

The GMT-Master was created in 1954 on request of Pan American Airlines as well as a European airline and was immediately adopted by pilots, ship's captains, navigators, travellers and members of the Armed Forces, according to a 1960 Rolex catalogue. 

Rather than using a steel bezel as had been introduced on the Submariner, the first GMT (ref.6542) was launched with a bakelite bezel. Being less reflective than metal, bakelite was favoured by pilots as being less distracting when flying. The bakelite bezel was soon phased out as it was often found to fracture. For further information on the GMT, see Skeet, M and Urul, N, Vintage Rolex Sports Models, pp.58-59.