Rolex
1979 Rolex GMT-Master (Ref. 1675) Mk. V
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 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 # | RLXGMT791675-4 | |
| Brand | Rolex | |
| Style | GMT-Master | |
| Model | 1675 | |
| Serial | 54XXXXX | |
| Size | Men's | |
| Material | Stainless Steel | |
| Dial | Matte Black "Mk. 5" | |
| Millimeters | 40 | |
| Strap | Rolex 78360 Oyster Bracelet W/ 580 End Pieces |
CASE & BRACELET
The previously polished case retains full and symmetrical lugs that show light signs of use. The original redback "fat font" Pepsi bezel insert has lightly faded to take on a desirable coloration and remains bright, there is a scratch through the "0" in "20". The original Rolex 78360 Oyster bracelet with 580 end pieces retains 13 links and shows almost no stretch with light use.
DIAL & HANDS
The matte black Mk. V dial is in good vintage condition, there is some light marks on the dial which are visible under loupe. The tritium lume plots have achieved a wonderful creamy patina and show no degradation when inspected under U.V. light. The original hands have been professionally restored with tritium to match the dial. The metallic date wheel is era correct with open 6's and 9's.
ACCESSORIES
None. The watch is keeping time within COSC spec, previous service history is unknown.