... ein lieber Freund hat mir soeben einen link gesendet, Sotheby Geneve, Lot 23 ... 35000 - 55000 SFR ... oh la la ...






IMPORTANT WATCHES AND WRISTWATCHES
SALE GE0505
AUCTION DATE

SESSION 1 | 15 Nov 05 10:30 AM.
LOCATION

Geneva
LOT 23 (of 150)
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LOT 23
R - ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL 'GMT-MASTER', 1958, REF.6542; A STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC CENTRE SECONDS WRISTWATCH WITH BAKELITE BEZEL, DATE, 24-HOUR HAND AND BRACELET

35,000—55,000 CHF

PLACE ABSENTEE BID

PURCHASE CATALOGUE

EMAIL THIS LOT TO A FRIEND

KEY TO LETTER SYMBOLS

CURRENCY CONVERTER
MEASUREMENTS

diameter 39mm
DESCRIPTION

automatic nickel lever movement, 25 jewels, mono-metallic balance, adjusted to 5 positions and temperature, black matte dial, luminous dot, baton and triangular numerals, centre seconds, red 24-hour hand, aperture for date, rotating bakelite black and red bezel calibrated for 24 hours, screw-down back and crown, expandable Rolex Oyster USA bracelet, case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, accompanied by original Guarantee, Bulletin de Marche, original instructions and letters from Rolex.

CATALOGUE NOTE


The GMT-Master was created in 1954 on request of Pan American Airlines as well as a European airline and was immediately adopted by pilots, ship's captains, navigators, travellers and members of the Armed Forces, according to a 1960 Rolex catalogue. The accompanying letters from Rolex are addressed to Mr Ross, Msgt at the US Air Forces, 513th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. The first letter, dated June 22nd 1960, describes a crazing of the crystal and a repair by Rolex, mentions case and reference number of the present lot and is signed by Mr Kübel Wilsdorf and another member of the Rolex direction at the time. A second letter, as well as an invoice, confirms the repair of the crystal.

Rather than using a steel bezel as had been introduced on the Submariner, the first GMT (ref.6542) was launched with a bakelite bezel. Being less reflective than metal, bakelite was favoured by pilots as being less distracting when flying. The bakelite bezel was soon phased out as it was often found to fracture. For further information on the GMT, see Skeet, M and Urul, N, Vintage Rolex Sports Models, pp.58-59.