Revolution: The Evolution of the Role...

New York, Apr 17, 2008

LOT 113

Ref. 6542, Yellow Gold GMT-Master - Perspex Bezel Rolex, ?Oyster Perpetual, GMT-Master, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified?, Ref. 6542. Made in 1958. Fine and extremely rare, two-time-zone, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold chronometer wristwatch with date, special 24-hour perspex bezel and hand and an 18K yellow gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet.

USD 50,000 - 80,000

EUR 34,000 - 55,000

C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, graduated bidirectional revolving perspex bezel for the second time-zone in 24 hours, crystal with cyclops lens. D. Matte gold with applied luminous round, triangular and baton indexes, outer minute divisions, aperture for the date. Luminous yellow gold alpha hands. M. Cal. 1065, rhodium-plated, 25 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 39 mm. Thickness 13 mm. Approx. overall length 195 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-6-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

HANDS Original

Notes

Rolex realized that anyone who could afford to travel by airplane in the 1960s was wealthy enough to afford a gold (not a steel) watch, and so Rolex began to make the GMT Master in both 18k gold and in two-tone. Interestingly the yellow gold version was produced first and used the (by now) discontinued reference 6542 'shoulderless' case, while the two-tone version retained the ref. 1675. Both versions were distinguished by their new brown colored dials and bezels, these watches first hit the market in late 1963.