Rolex

By 1953, 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 reference 6542 was released in 1954 it became the official timepiece of Pan-Am Airline - and became Rolex's first GMT-Master ever produced. 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 Bakelite plastic bezel. 

The present watch features some of the most desirable traits from these early examples. The gold case retains its original proportions with its hallmarks visible under the lugs and the original Bakelite bezel insert remains. The original orange/brown ‘nipple’ dial displays in exceptional condition, retaining its non-lollipop minute hand and small arrow 24hr hand. The watch is presented on its rivet Oyster bracelet and accompanied by its original inner and outer display boxes.