拍品专文
The GMT-Master was designed as a professional tool with practical, work-related applications in mind. As a result, the great majority of models were made of stainless steel. These watches were used as real tools and were made to endure harsh environments. In contrast to this, Rolex also manufactured a very limited quantity of yellow gold reference 6542 watches with brown bakelite bezels, such as the present timepiece. Given that bakelite is so delicate, it is very uncommon to find surviving examples that still have their original bezel insert. The fact that many bakelite bezels were recalled by Rolex because of their radium content adds to this scarcity. The original GMT-Master was finally put out of production in 1959.
The present timepiece belongs to the final batches of reference 6542 to leave the manufacture and is offered in excellent overall condition, having been serviced directly by Rolex on two occasions.
Reference 6542
The Rolex reference 6542, the first GMT-Master and the forerunner of one of the most renowned watchmaking lines in contemporary history, was first introduced in 1955 at Pan American World Airways' request. The watch, which was commissioned for pilots who operated long-haul flights, solved the problems of jet lag and navigation by enabling the wearer to track both local time and a second home time zone through a rotating bezel and an additional 24-hour hand. This innovation proved revolutionary for professional aviators.
The GMT-Master reference 6542, affectionately known by collectors as 'Pussy Galore' after the role played by Honor Blackman in the James Bond movie 'Goldfinger', has steadily increased in desirability. Today, it stands as one of the most iconic and charismatic early Rolex sports watches, admired for its rarity and unmistakable presence.
The present timepiece belongs to the final batches of reference 6542 to leave the manufacture and is offered in excellent overall condition, having been serviced directly by Rolex on two occasions.
Reference 6542
The Rolex reference 6542, the first GMT-Master and the forerunner of one of the most renowned watchmaking lines in contemporary history, was first introduced in 1955 at Pan American World Airways' request. The watch, which was commissioned for pilots who operated long-haul flights, solved the problems of jet lag and navigation by enabling the wearer to track both local time and a second home time zone through a rotating bezel and an additional 24-hour hand. This innovation proved revolutionary for professional aviators.
The GMT-Master reference 6542, affectionately known by collectors as 'Pussy Galore' after the role played by Honor Blackman in the James Bond movie 'Goldfinger', has steadily increased in desirability. Today, it stands as one of the most iconic and charismatic early Rolex sports watches, admired for its rarity and unmistakable presence.
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