Rolex

• cal. 1030 automatic movement, 25 jewels • glossy black dial, luminescent dagger, dot and baton indexes, luminescent Mercedes-style hands, sweep center seconds, gilt printing and tracking, magnified date aperture in black and red • aged rotating bezel indicating 24 hours with corresponding central hand, screw-down crown, screw back • case, dial and movement signed • stainless steel Rolex Oyster rivet bracelet

The movement is running, however we recommed service soon. It is numbered N791686. The dial is in overall nice condition and has a good look to it. There is crackling on the surface throughout, however this adds a warmth and texture to the dial and suggests its age nicely. The printing appears to be original throughout. The luminescent paint has aged consistently on the indexes and hands. It seems that the hands have been changed over the years, as they are not gilt, but aged metal. The second hour hand does not appear to be the original one, as it is a larger size than it would have been from the factory. The case is in nice condition overall. The lugs are in nice condition with a clear bevelled edge on each one. There is a small dent to the edge of the case back. The bezel insert has faded so the red color has turned purple. The numbers between the lugs are rubbed, but appear to read 397923 and 6542. Inside the back is stamped 6542 and III.1958. The bracelet is stamped 4.68.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

By the early 1950s, the commercial trans-Atlantic airline industry was at a point where planes were able to take off on one side of the ocean and land on the other in a matter of mere hours. Partly as a result of this, Pan American airlines approached Rolex, and the two companies began working on a watch that could easily tell the hour in two different time zones.

When Ref. 6542, the first GMT-Master, was released in 1954, it became the official timepiece of Pan-Am Airlines. Their pilots found the watch to be a useful tool in the cockpit where many timing calculations were necessary over the duration of the flight. In addition, the simple ability to know what time it was 'back home' was very easy to see with the watch's colorful bezel.

Early examples of the model featured a Bakelite plastic bezel. Over the years, this accent was found to be too fragile and expensive to produce, so the material was changed to a more standard metal bezel insert.

The present example comes from the fourth evolution of the model, where the bezel insert is metal and the seconds hand is not painted white.