Rolex. A very rare and highly attractive stainless steel dual time automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, black gloss dial, bakelite bezel and bracelet
On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT wil… Read more ROLEXGMT-Master Ref. 6542 with Bakelite Bezel
Rolex. A very rare and highly attractive stainless steel dual time automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, black gloss dial, bakelite bezel and bracelet

Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, GMT-Master, Ref. 6542, Case No. 381’456, Circa 1958

Details
Rolex. A very rare and highly attractive stainless steel dual time automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, black gloss dial, bakelite bezel and bracelet
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, GMT-Master, Ref. 6542, Case No. 381’456, Circa 1958
Movement: cal. 1035, automatic, 25 jewels, signed
Dial: black glossy with gilt printing, signed
Case: screw back, inside case back stamped 6542 and II. 1958, 38 mm. diam., signed
With: stainless steel expandable Rolex riveted bracelet made in England stamped REG. 875088, overall length of approx. 165 mm.
Special notice
On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT will be charged at 8% on both the premium as well as the hammer price. On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT will be charged at 7.7% on both the premium as well as the hammer price.

Lot Essay

Immediately recognizable by the bakelite bezel insert with twenty-four hour markings printed on its underside, the present example of the GMT-Master reference 6542 is offered by a private Italian collector and impresses by its overall condition. Very well preserved, the black glossy dial of the timepiece is rendered even more important through its gilt printing, and is assembled with a stainless steel case of strong proportions. Highly attractive, the wristwatch represents a very fine specimen of this most globally recognized and appreciated reference.

Created in 1954 following Pan Am’s request, the Rolex reference 6542 is the first GMT reference, and the beginning of one of the most legendary and appreciated wristwatch lineage. Landmark in the history of Rolex, the timepiece was commissioned by Pan Am in order for their pilots to manage the negative effects of jet-lag due to the increased speed of intercontinental flights. The timepiece was developed with a second hand, enabling its wearer to keep track of both the local time and the time in their home time zone. The watch was also crafted with an anti-reflective bakelite bezel graduated for 24 hours, which would prevent glaring during flights and therefore limit interferences with navigation.

Nicknamed by collectors “Pussy Galore”, following the character in the James Bond movie “Goldfinger”, the popularity of the GMT-Master reference 6542 has steadily increased throughout the years.

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