Rolex

1968 Rolex GMT-Master (Ref. 1675) MK I "Long E"

This specific 1969 Rolex GMT  possesses all the things we love about the Rolex GMT 1675. From MK I "Long E" dial to the nicely faded Pepsi insert.  Worn perfectly on a leather strap or more casually on a NATO, this Ref. 1675 Pepsi GMT would make a great daily driver for the man always on the go. 

Rolex 1675 Advertisement

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 pilots 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 the long-haul international flights.

GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time - the time zone which 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 # RLXGMT681675-4
Brand Rolex
Style GMT-Master
Model 1675
Serial 18XXXXX
Size Men's
Material Stainless Steel
Dial Black (Matte) MK I
Millimeters 40
Strap Antique Calfskin Watch Strap (Desert)

 

CASE & BRACELET

The recently polished case retains thick lugs and with factory finishing present showing little to no wear. The original "fat font" Pepsi insert has taken a striking light blue/bright pink fading to the coloration. The case back is stamped I.68.

Dial & Hands

The early Mk. I "Long E" dial remains in excellent vintage condition. The tritium lume had the era correct "band-aid" texture and has taken on an excellent creamy patina. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly; under U.V. light inspection the hour and minute hands show no degradation, the sweep seconds hand exhibits some cracking in the lume. The silver date wheel is a later service replacement exhibiting closed 6's and 9's.

ACCESSORIES 

None. The watch was recently serviced and is running at COSC spec backed by a 1-year warranty.