Rolex
1978 Rolex GMT-Master (Ref. 1675) Mk. V
This Mk.5 Pepsi GMT from 1978 has everything we love about end of production 1675's. The lume plots of the Mk. 5 dial variant of Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675 are larger in size thus receiving the title Maxi, similar to the Maxi dial 5513 submariners of the same era.
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 their 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 addition 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 his home time zone, no matter how far he may have journeyed.
| Stock # | RLXGMT781675-14 | |
| Brand | Rolex | |
| Style | GMT-Master | |
| Model | 1675 | |
| Serial | 55XXXXX | |
| Size | Men's | |
| Material | Stainless Steel | |
| Dial | Black (Matte) Mk. 5 | |
| Millimeters | 40 | |
| Strap | Rolex "U.S.A. Made" C+I Oyster Rivet Bracelet |
CASE & BRACELET
The excellent case has been previously lightly polished. The fat-font "Pepsi" bezel insert has taken on an attractive light blue/ vibrant pink fade and shows little to no wear. The Rolex "U.S.A Made" C+I Oyster rivet bracelet is stamped '78 and shows very light stretch from use.
DIAL & HANDS
The matte black Mk. V dial is in excellent overall condition with no markings or blemishes. The original tritium lume plots are a charming eggshell coloration and are slightly puffy which is common for this era, under U.V. light inspection they exhibit no degradation. The original tritium hands have aged a shade darker than the dial, under U.V. light inspection the GMT and hour hands show minor cracking, and the minute and sweep-second hands remain fully intact. The metallic date wheel is era correct with open 6's and 9's.
ACCESSORIES
None. The watch was recently serviced and is running at COSC spec backed by a 1-year warranty.