Rolex

• cal. 1560 nickel lever movement, 25 jewels, mono-metallic balance, butterfly rotor • black dial, luminescent triangular, dot, and baton indexes, luminescent Mercedes hands, small red arrow hand for second time zone, center seconds, magnified aperture for date at 3, outer minute track • stainless steel Rolex Oyster case with pointed crown guards, bi directional red and blue rotating bezel calibrated for 24 hours, screw down crown and solid case back • case, dial, and movement signed • with stainless steel Rolex rivet bracelet with folding clasp

CASE: Case in overall good vintage condition with wear, scuffing, and areas with heavier inconsistency consistent with daily use. Lower right lug with more natural wear, scuffing - wearing down of the subtle chamfer that is still present and clear on the other three lugs. Case bands with normal scuffing and marks. Pointed crown guards in very good vintage condition with some light scuffing. The shape and subtle chamfer are very well defined. Bezel with fading to the blue and red color. Bezel with some surface scratches that have resulted in pigment loss - most prominent at between 12 and 2. Backs of lugs with material wear and markings likely from spring bars. Normal scuffing to the case back. Crystal with scuffing and light surface scratches. Bracelet with equivalent wear. DIAL: Dial in good vintage condition. Oxidation to the luminescent areas. light spots of oxidation to the date wheel. Lume to the hands are slightly lighter than lumes to the dial. Hand set is contemporary to the watch. The lume to the original small triangle GMT hand matches the dial. Oxidation to the hands overall. MOVEMENT: Movement in very good condition. With proper butterfly rotor with coronet. The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement.
"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."

Accompanied by a Rolex Superlative Chronometer guarantee dated August 11, 1961, one Chronometer Certificate, one Bureaux Suisses certificate, one instructional document, and the retailer's original receipt dated August 11, 1961. The present lot is an exceptional example of an early GMT-Master, with an honest and original gilt dial, small GMT hand, and petite lume plots. Its iconic red and blue bezel distinguishes it from other GMT Masters, and has earned it the moniker of "pepsi-dial." Further, the pointed crown guards to the case remain in exemplary condition, with clear delineation between the chamfered edges. Many crowning features of this timepiece were retired by Rolex toward the end of the 1960s, making exceptional examples such as this such a treasure, and a treat for Sotheby's to offer this season. 

As transatlantic flight grew more prevalent in the mid 20th century, Rolex collaborated with Pan Am to create the GMT Master, a watch that could give accurate time in multiple time zones simultaneously.  The watch grew so popular that pilots in NASA and the Air Force began relying on them as well.  

Produced between 1959 and 1980, the reference 1675 enjoyed one of the longest production runs in Rolex history. It is no wonder that the reference has had many nuanced and transitional changes. From the dial and bezel, to more minute details in the hands, indexes, and crown guards, it is clear that the earliest models of the GMT-Master, such as the present piece, have risen in popularity among Rolex aficionados.