1969 Rolex GMT-Master (Ref. 1675) Mk. I "Long E" Dial

The Rolex GMT is the jet-setting icon of the Rolex sports watch family. The history of this sophisticated, versatile style dates back to 1954, when Rolex received a request from Pan Am to create a technical pilot's watch that could indicate two time zones simultaneously. As advances in aviation made transcontinental flights commercially available, Pan Am needed a watch that could be issued to its crews on long-haul international flights.

GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time - the time zone that regulates world clocks and is required for all aviation planning and schedules. The Rolex GMT Master has a fourth 24-hour hand that directly displays the same time zone as the standard 12-hour hand, but on a 24-hour scale. The edition of this GMT hand enabled crews to set the watch to GMT or another time zone and, using the rotating 24-hour scale bezel, correct the offset to display a second time zone on the 24-hour scale.

This feature is just as useful today, allowing the modern traveler to easily keep track of their home time zone, no matter how far they may have journeyed.

SPECS

Stock #		RLXGMT1675-69
Brand		Rolex
Style		GMT-Master
Model		1675
Serial		19XXXXX
Size		Men's
Material		Stainless Steel
Dial		Matte Black "Mk. I"
Millimeters		40
Bracelet		Rolex 6251H Jubilee Bracelet W/ 55 End Pieces

CASE & BRACELET

The excellent case features thick, even lugs that display light evidence of being polished in the past and show honest signs of use, while retaining full factory chamfers. The red-back "Pepsi" bezel insert is in exceptional condition, showing no fade and nominal wear. The era-correct Rolex 6251H Jubilee bracelet with 55 end pieces retains 19 links that show normal stretch for the style and age of the bracelet, and will fit up to a 7.25-inch wrist.

DIAL & HANDS

The original matte black Mk. I “Long E” dial remains in exceptional vintage condition, displaying only nominal age and presenting beautifully. Minor clipping is visible along the outer minute track at 6 o’clock, a common characteristic of matte Rolex dials from this era, though it has little impact on the dial’s overall appearance. The tritium lume plots have developed a warm cream patina. The original tritium hands have aged to closely match the dial, with slightly darker patina along their edges, providing a slightly more dramatic appearance. Under UV light inspection, neither the dial nor the hands exhibits lume degradation. The original metallic date wheel features the correct “closed” 6 and 9 numerals.