183 Rolex Highly Attractive and Very Rare GMT Master Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, Reference 6542, With Sweep Centre Seconds Black Gilt Dial Turning Tropical, Date and Bakelite Bezel

Estimate: € 60,000 –⁠ 120,000

Sold € 75,400

Model: GMT-Master
Material: Stainless Steel
Reference N°: 6542
Year: 1956
Case N°: 452362
Caliber: 1066
Movement type: Automatic
Bracelet: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 38 mm
Signed: Dial, case and movement

It is said that “necessity is the mother of inventions”. That’s why, with the increasing numbers of intercontinental planes travels, at the beginning of the ’50s the Airline company Pan Am directly went to Rolex asking for an efficient instrument which could allow the pilots to keep track of time in two locations. Already universally known for the efficiency of its tool-watches, Rolex did not miss the opportunity to rewrite its name in the history of horology and in 1954 presented to the whole world its inimitable GMT Master, reference 6542. In the following years many different evolutions of this models were released but in the world of collecting that first model is the holy grail to be possessed with its iconic red and blue bachelite bezel. This material was used for not interfere with airplane navigation given its capacity of being antireflective in order to eliminate the risk of glaring. Equipped initially with the caliber 1036 and later the 1065 and 1066, the display of the second time zone is possible thanks to the additional hand which completes a full revolution in 24h, indicating the time on the specific graduated bezel from 0 to 24. Its style immediately a landmark of watchmaking design, so much that it soon became one of the most globally recognized and appreciated timepieces by any brands. The reference 6542 here offered is absolutely remarkable for the extremely well preserved stainless steel case which retains strong proportions and clear crisp lug bevels and for the beautiful bachelite bezel without any presence of fractures and very vivid colors. The stunning black lacquer dial with gilt lettering still offer the original luminescent dagger, baton and plots in extremely attractive conditions. At the time of its creation, this watch was intended for a very small circle of people, nowadays the situation has not changed: in 1954 for the Pan Am pilots, in 2019 for a few collectors and true connoisseurs.