Rolex
1970 Rolex GMT-Master (Ref. 1675) Mk I Dial W/ Military Provenance, Box, Double Punch Papers, & Extensive RSC History
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 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 pilot's watch that could indicate two time zones simultaneously that could be issued by the airline to their crews on long-haul transcontinental international flights. 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 the crews to set the watch to GMT or another time zone, and, using the rotatable 24-hour scale bezel, set to the correct offset thus displaying a second-time zone on the 24-hour scale.
This spectacular and truly complete 1970 Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 is a genuine time capsule and was purchased by Capt. John Onnembo at the Lajes Field Military Exchange in 1972, located on an island in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal. Featuring every accessory you could want with a watch and more, not only does this example come with two pieces of original punched guarantee paperwork, the original hangtags, booklets, cigarette box card, and the box itself, but it also retains extensive Rolex Service Center history and paperwork. However, this watch isn't just well documented, but exquisitely beautiful as well, with the original and sought-after Mk. I "Long E" dial bearing an attractively vivid yellow patina.
Stock # | RLXGMT167570 | |
Brand | Rolex | |
Style | GMT-Master | |
Model | 1675 | |
Serial | 26XXXXX | |
Size | Men's | |
Material | Stainless Steel | |
Dial | Matte Black "Mk I" | |
Millimeters | 40 | |
Bracelet | Rolex 93150 Oyster Bracelet W/ 580 End Pieces |
CASE & BRACELET
The impressive and exceptionally crisp case has recently received an expert restoration and maintains extremely thick lugs with sharply defined chamfers, and factory-like finishing throughout. The fat-font red back "Pepsi" bezel insert retains vibrant colors with a subtle yet desirable vintage fade and shows wear in the "8", but otherwise exhibits minimal signs of use. The watch comes on a Rolex 93150 Oyster bracelet with 580 end pieces which was provided by Rolex upon request of the original owner during one of its service intervals. The bracelet retains 12 links that show minimal stretch and will fit up to an 8-inch wrist.
DIAL & HANDS
The original matte black Mk I "Long E" dial is in truly exceptional condition. The only element of age present on the dial is some minor clipping on the outer edge of the white paint of the minute track, which is virtually invisible to the naked eye. No actual damage is present on the dial. The tritium lume plots have achieved a stunning vivid yellow patina with no degradation present when inspected under U.V. light. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly and exhibit no degradation under U.V. light inspection. The metallic date wheel is original with open 6's and 9's.
ACCESSORIES
The watch comes as a complete set with its original box, two Rolex guarantee certificates with punched serials, original hangtags, multiple Rolex service documents, and Rolex booklets. The watch is keeping time perfectly, backed by our 1-year warranty on accurate timekeeping.