Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675 - Tropical 'Gilt' Dial Unpolished

Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675 - Tropical 'Gilt' Dial Unpolished

Name: Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675 - Tropical 'Gilt' Dial Unpolished
Brand: Oliver & Clarke
SKU: OC2700
Price: 36950.0 USD
Availability: InStock

$36,950.00 USD

The Rolex GMT-Master is one of the most historic and iconic watches the brand ever produced. Its origin dates back to a commission request by Pan American World Airways in the early 50’s for their fleet of pilots who needed access to different time zones.

These pieces would feature a similar design to another watch that Rolex was developing around that time, the Submariner, but would include a fourth hand running on 24-hr time, and a bi-colored bezel insert to represent AM/PM times. Those colors, naturally, would be the PanAm colors: Red & Blue. Thus, in 1953, the Ref. 6542 GMT-Master was born. These early pieces were ultimately, fragile arguably flawed in some ways, and were therefor succeeded by the updated Reference 1675 in 1959.

These pieces introduced a larger case size with crown-guards and a bi-colored blue + red bezel insert made of aluminum. The Ref. 1675 underwent many small changes over its 21-year production run, with a slew of dial, bezel, bracelet, and hand variations. You know, Rolex stuff.

The example that we have here comes from the very end of the gilt-dial era dating to circa 1965. The case remains unpolished — with thick lugs and crown-guards, visible factory chamfers, and shows normal signs of wear throughout. The dial inside is even more compelling and completely stunning... The correct 'Type C' gilt unit has aged over the years to a deep brown color, most noticeably when exposed to natural sunlight. The resulting 'tropical' patina is as captivating as it is unique. Additionally, it is also in beautifully preserved condition, largely devoid of major damage or crazing on the glossy surface. The Tritium plots are evenly patinated and the handset with the correct 'small' GMT hand match beautifully. This piece comes fitted with a correct 'stretch-rivet' Oyster bracelet with a blade clasp.

And then, of course, there is that gorgeous 'Pepsi' bezel insert. The blue and red colors remain rich in color and exhibit a light fade throughout, and shows only light signs of wear.

All things considered, this is a fantastic and compelling example of a late gilt piece, with a unique patina that elevates it to a very special wearing experience indeed.

Stainless Steel 1965 Unpolished Automatic 40mm

Condition Report & Details

Condition:

Case: Unpolished, with thick and symmetrical lugs and prominent factory chamfers. Shows normal signs of wear throughout with a few impressions on the top edge of the left case profile, some impressions on each lug tip, and one small impression on the top edge of the upper right lug.

Bezel: Correct assembly retains strong finishing and shows light signs of wear. The correct red-back 'Pepsi' insert is fantastic, showing light wear throughout with an attractive, light fade on both the blue and red halves.

Dial: Exhibits a stunning and largely uniform 'tropical' patina from age. The rich brown tones have a mild gradient effect from left to right. The luminous plots remain present in all position and exhibit an attractive, even patina, with mild loss to the 4, 5, & 6:00 markers. The handset matches the dial perfectly to the naked eye and under UV inspection. Correct 'small' GMT hand.

Movement:

Automatic-winding chronometer certified caliber by Rolex.

Bracelet/Strap:

Rolex C+I 'stretch-rivet' Oyster bracelet with 12 links and signed blade clasp stamped '7-64.' Lightly previously polished and shows light signs of wear throughout with virtually no stretch and tight links. Sized for ≈7.75" wrist.

Shipping, Returns, & Warranty

Every Oliver & Clarke timepiece comes with a one-year mechanical warranty starting from the date of delivery. We ensure all watches are in wonderful working condition and are ready for daily wear. Many have been fully serviced by our team of watchmakers.

Please note:

Due to the vintage or antique nature of many of our watches, they may not keep time as accurately as when new, nor as precisely as quartz or electronic devices.
We do not guarantee water resistance and do not warranty against moisture or water damage. Deliberate exposure to water or steam is not recommended.

Warranty Exclusions:

Internal or external damage caused by accidents, mishandling, abuse, modifications, or services performed by anyone other than our authorized personnel.
Our warranty is non-transferable.

The Oliver & Clarke Guarantee

At Oliver & Clarke, we meticulously vet each watch to ensure its authenticity and quality. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and our mission is to help you find the perfect timepiece. If you have any questions, we are here to assist you promptly.

Our Guarantee:

Each timepiece is thoroughly evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our expert team before it is offered for sale.
We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise stated.
The authenticity of each watch is guaranteed in perpetuity.

"As collectors themselves, Oliver and Clarke are on a mission to make buying vintage watches as painless as possible."

"The company focuses on good prices for its pieces, elite customer service and full transparency."

"The appointment-only space is inviting, with comfortable seating areas and exposed brick walls."

From Rolex & Patek Philippe, to Cartier & Audemars Piguet. As collectors first, we love the small details that separate the Submariner from Daytona and Calatrava from Royal Oak. This is why you'll find our curated assortment spans decades of generations of models and brands. We believe that watches don't just tell time, they tell history - and life is too short to wear a boring watch.

Oliver & Clarke