Rolex
1968 Rolex GMT-Master (Ref. 1675) MK I "Long E"
The Rolex GMT is the jet-setting icon of the Rolex sports watch family. Like the Rolex Submariner, the Rolex GMT is sophisticated, rugged, and versatile.
In 1954 Pan Am started using the newly designed Boeing 707 which allowed for Pan Am to fly transcontinentally and is said to have started the commercially available jet age. In the same year, Rolex received a request from Pan Am to create a technical pilots watch which indicated two time zones simultaneously that could be issued by the airline to their crews on long-haul transcontinental international flights.
GMT or UTC stands for Greenwich Mean Time or Coordinated Universal Time which is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. GMT or UTC is the time zone that is required for all aviation planning, weather forecasts, schedules, and other paperwork.
The original Rolex GMT-Master has a fourth 24-hour hand directly displaying the same time zone as the standard 12-hour hand but on a 24-hour scale. This GMT hand enabled crews to set their watches to GMT or another time zone when used in conjunction with the rotatable 24-hour scale bezel by setting the correct offset thus displaying a second-time zone on the 24-hour scale.
The GMT-Master looks perfect in every setting and makes an excellent travel partner, making it one of the most universally loved watches of today. This 1968 Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 is superb, from the strong case, beautiful lume patina, and excellent fat-font "Pepsi" bezel insert. This MK I "Long E" GMT 1675 would make for a perfect daily driver that is also highly collectible.
| Stock # | RLXGMT681675-5 |
|
| Brand | Rolex | |
| Style | GMT-Master | |
| Model | 1675 | |
| Serial | 19XXXXX | |
| Size | Men's | |
| Material | Stainless Steel | |
| Dial | Matte Black MK I | |
| Millimeters | 40 | |
| Bracelet | Rolex Rolled-Link Jubilee Bracelet W/ 55 End Pieces |
CASE & BRACELET
The strong case was previously professionally polished to display factory-like chamfers and angles with crisp finishing and thick lugs that show light signs of honest use. The original fat-font "Pepsi" bezel insert is in excellent condition, retaining vibrant colors with minimal signs of age and fading present. The Rolex rolled-link Jubilee bracelet with 55 end pieces retains 22 links that show some stretch and will fit up to a 7 3/4-inch wrist.
DIAL & HANDS
The original and very presentable matte black MK I "Long E" dial is in exceptional condition, featuring only subtle elements of age and no damage. The tritium lume plots have achieved an even creamy patina, under U.V. light inspection the 2 o'clock lume plot shows very minor degradation with the rest of the lume plots remaining fully intact. The original hands have been professionally restored with tritium to match the dial. The white date wheel is an early service replacement.
ACCESSORIES
None. The watch was recently serviced and is keeping time perfectly, backed by a 1-year warranty on accurate timekeeping.