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Lot Essay
The present watch is an extremely rare example of a reference 1675 dating from 1963, preserved in superb original overall condition and distinguished by the rare and much sought-after black gloss "underline" dial with gilt printing, showing distinctive features found only in examples made in 1963 and early 1964, the serial number in the up to 1,100,000 range:
- a fine line underneath the "LLY C" of the OFFIALLY CERTIFIED writing, just above the 6 o'clock hour marker
- the double Swiss designation, e.g. "Swiss" printed visibly below the 6 o'clock index, a second "Swiss" underneath and towards the edge of the dial, hardly visible when the dial is mounted onto the watch
Black gloss dials must be regarded as the ultimate art in dial manufacturing since they reveal a rich complexity of different layers applied to the metal base. In fact, the gilt writing and minute markings are not printed on the black background but are underneath and shine through in negative relief. However to further enhance its sophistication, the silvered underline is superimposed and printed onto the black background.
Another unusual feature of the present GMT are the crown guards, narrowing from bottom to top, as opposed to the commonly found pointed crown guards found in models from the period, also nicknamed "cornino" or small horn by Italian Rolex aficionados. All later GMT cases feature the now standard rounded crown guard shoulders.
- a fine line underneath the "LLY C" of the OFFIALLY CERTIFIED writing, just above the 6 o'clock hour marker
- the double Swiss designation, e.g. "Swiss" printed visibly below the 6 o'clock index, a second "Swiss" underneath and towards the edge of the dial, hardly visible when the dial is mounted onto the watch
Black gloss dials must be regarded as the ultimate art in dial manufacturing since they reveal a rich complexity of different layers applied to the metal base. In fact, the gilt writing and minute markings are not printed on the black background but are underneath and shine through in negative relief. However to further enhance its sophistication, the silvered underline is superimposed and printed onto the black background.
Another unusual feature of the present GMT are the crown guards, narrowing from bottom to top, as opposed to the commonly found pointed crown guards found in models from the period, also nicknamed "cornino" or small horn by Italian Rolex aficionados. All later GMT cases feature the now standard rounded crown guard shoulders.