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Lot Essay
Delivered with spare bracelet.
The present watch is an extremely charismatic and rare example of an early GMT-Master model reference 6542. Not only does it feature the original bakelite bezel in very good condition and with warm red and blue colours but also a highly charismatically aged brown lacquered dial with gold printing. Amongst collectors, this type of dial is now called "tropical". This designation is derived from the colour of the lacquer which over the years has changed from black to a golden light brown. The watch is furthermore preserved in overall very good original condition.
The first GMT model, reference 6542, was launched in 1956 and was immediately recognizable by the bright acrylic or bakelite bezel insert with the twenty-four hour markings printed to its underside. This material was chosen to reduce reflection which would disturb the pilots. The bezel ring was also made of acrylic and coated in an alloy to resemble metal. It then turned out that the flexibility of this material could cause the bezel insert to break and that in very warm environments the printing would often flake off. Consequently, Rolex decided to replace the acrylic insert against a more resistant metal version. The dial of the first examples featured the designation "Swiss" below 6 o'clock, the numerals coated with phosphorescent (glow-in-the-dark) luminova. As of the late 1950s/early 1960s, the luminous material was changed to tritium, indicated by the "Swiss - T < 25" designation, the dial with all white print.
The few examples of the early GMT Master series which have survived with the original bezel are highly sought after collector's watches.
The present watch is an extremely charismatic and rare example of an early GMT-Master model reference 6542. Not only does it feature the original bakelite bezel in very good condition and with warm red and blue colours but also a highly charismatically aged brown lacquered dial with gold printing. Amongst collectors, this type of dial is now called "tropical". This designation is derived from the colour of the lacquer which over the years has changed from black to a golden light brown. The watch is furthermore preserved in overall very good original condition.
The first GMT model, reference 6542, was launched in 1956 and was immediately recognizable by the bright acrylic or bakelite bezel insert with the twenty-four hour markings printed to its underside. This material was chosen to reduce reflection which would disturb the pilots. The bezel ring was also made of acrylic and coated in an alloy to resemble metal. It then turned out that the flexibility of this material could cause the bezel insert to break and that in very warm environments the printing would often flake off. Consequently, Rolex decided to replace the acrylic insert against a more resistant metal version. The dial of the first examples featured the designation "Swiss" below 6 o'clock, the numerals coated with phosphorescent (glow-in-the-dark) luminova. As of the late 1950s/early 1960s, the luminous material was changed to tritium, indicated by the "Swiss - T < 25" designation, the dial with all white print.
The few examples of the early GMT Master series which have survived with the original bezel are highly sought after collector's watches.