Fine Watches
Fine Watches
GMT-Master, reference 6542 Montre bracelet en or jaune avec deux fuseaux horaires, date et lunette Bakélite | Yellow gold dual time zone wristwatch with date, bracelet and Bakelite bezel Vers 1958 | Circa 1958
Lot Closed
September 29, 11:14 AM GMT
Estimate
100,000 - 200,000 EUR
Lot Details
Description
Rolex
GMT-Master, reference 6542
Montre bracelet en or jaune avec deux fuseaux horaires, date et lunette Bakélite |
Yellow gold dual time zone wristwatch with date, bracelet and Bakelite bezel
Vers 1958 |
Circa 1958
Cadran: brun
Calibre: cal. 1030 automatique, 25 rubis
Numéro de mouvement: N'892'855
Boîtier: or jaune 18K (750°/00), fond vissé
Numéro de boîtier: 424'224
Fermoir: bracelet Rolex Oyster en or jaune 18K (750°/00) et boucle déployante
Dimensions: 38 mm, circonférence du bracelet approx. 165 mm
Signé: boîtier, cadran et mouvement
Ecrin: non
Papiers: non
Accessoires: pochette de voyage associée
Dial: brown
Calibre: cal. 1030 automatic, 25 jewels
Movement number: N'892'855
Case: 18k yellow gold, screw-down back
Case number: 424'224
Closure: 18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp
Size: 38 mm, bracelet circumference approx. 165 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: associated travel pouch
Poids brut 108.10 g |
Gross weight 108.10 g
The immense popularity of the Rolex GMT-Master series to this day is a testament to the timeless design of the reference that started it all, the reference 6542. Widely considered the master of the GMT-Masters, the reference started production in 1955 and was only manufactured for 4 years, the model being discontinued in 1959.
The reference is based in the mid-century glamour of air travel, having been originally designed for Pan Am pilots during the golden age of flight. It was then lifted to further accolade adorning the wrist of Honor Blackman’s Pussy Galore in James Bond, Goldfinger released in 1964.
While the majority of the 6542 were case in stainless steel with a bi-colour bezel, this present lot is a very rare yellow gold version.
It has its distinctive brown bakelite bezel and matching tabacco dial with nipple indexes. It is also fitted with the so-called sword hands and small triangle GMT hand. All these key elements elevating the quality and desirability of the piece have been extremely well preserved.
The case retains strong proportions and the bevels on the lugs are still present. The watch is fitted on a very rare expendable riveted Oyster bracelet with endlinks marked 58 and the clasp dated for 1958, matching the case.
While Rolex GMT 6542 are rare, gold examples are even rarer but specimen in such condition are truly exceptional.