86 Rolex A possibly unique, highly striking, and well preserved, GMT Master, automatic wristwatch in steel, with bakelite bezel, Tiffany signed dial, reference 6542.

Estimate: Fr. 300'000 –⁠ 600'000

• Model GMT Master
• Year Circa 1957
• Reference 6542
• Case Material Stainless steel
• Case Number 322'253
• Bracelet Material Stainless steel Rolex bracelet, approximate length 200mm
• Movement Automatic, cal. 1030, 25 jewels
• Dimension 38mm Diameter
• Signed Case, dial and movement

Among the most extraordinary and potentially unique configurations ever observed on a Rolex GMT-Master reference 6542, the present watch represents a discovery of remarkable importance, one that redefines the boundaries of what is known within early GMT-Master production. It is not simply a rare variant, but a piece that challenges established collecting criteria through a combination of features never before documented together. Introduced in 1954 at the request of Pan American World Airways, the GMT-Master was conceived as a professional instrument for pilots navigating multiple time zones during the rapid expansion of transatlantic travel. Equipped with a 24-hour hand and a rotating bezel calibrated to 24 hours, it allowed for intuitive dual-time reading. Early examples, such as this one, were fitted with the now-iconic Bakelite bezel, whose red and blue coloration quickly became emblematic of the model. What elevates this watch far beyond its already important origins is its dial. The glossy black surface displays an exceptional and possibly unique configuration: the absence of the “GMT-Master” designation, replaced instead by “Chronometer” and “Automatic,” combined with the highly coveted retailer signature “Tiffany & Co.” This unprecedented combination, never recorded in known literature or market appearances, positions the present example at the very forefront of Rolex scholarship. The Bakelite bezel retains vivid and attractive coloration, while the case shows strong proportions and well-preserved bevels, hallmarks of careful preservation and originality. Originally conceived as a tool for a select group of Pan Am pilots, this reference 6542 has transcended its utilitarian origins. With its singular dial configuration, great state of preservation, and historical significance, it stands not merely as a collectible but as a cornerstone piece, arguably among the most important GMT-Master watches ever to surface, destined for the most advanced and discerning collections where only truly unique examples define the pinnacle.