1966 Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675 'Gilt' dial Unpolished with Box and Papers

The first GMT-Master in production ever was the ref. 6542 and was introduced in 1954. But, perhaps one of the most popular vintage Rolex GMT-Master watches is this ref. 1675, which was introduced in 1959 and produced until 1980.

 

Till the mid-1960s, the extra hour hand featured a small triangle and was succeeded by a red hand with a larger triangle throughout the late 1960s and 1970s. Early 1960s models also featured pointed crown guards and/or a chapter ring, while mid 1960s and on started featuring regular crown guards. True to the era, the first generation of GMT-Master ref. 1675 watches included glossy black dials with gilt printing. This was the case up until the mid-1960s when Rolex replaced them for matte black dials with white text. It’s worth noting that there are in fact two types of glossy/gilt dials — earlier ones with a chapter ring and later ones without a chapter ring. Due to their age and relatively short production run, gilt dials are the most rare and valuable among the different types of vintage Rolex sport dials, and collectors often seek them out for their warm and unmistakably vintage appearance.

 

The first 1675 watches came with Rolex caliber 1565, until 1965 when Rolex started to equip them with caliber 1575 (in fact being a 1570/5 which is a 1570 with date function, and that’s why only 1570 is stamped on it). This movement had a higher ticking number (19,800vph instead of 18,000 vph). Later, caliber 1575 was modified to have a hacking feature (seconds will stop when the crown is pulled out). This was done in 1971.

Offered for sale here is what we humbly consider one of the best Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675 with ‘Gilt’ dial that we have ever seen. It dates to 1966.

 

The deep black glossy gilt dial is remarkably well-preserved. It remains excellent, with hardly any signs of wear, as if the effect of time had nothing to do with it, as these types of dials tend to bubble, crack and craze quite easily. The gilt text is bright, glossy and clean. There is only one very subtle mark between the center post and the 7 o’clock marker which is barely noticeable under certain angles only. The puffy lume plots remain clean and completely intact, without any parts of lume missing (it’s very common to see “bites” to the lume plots on these as they tend to fall off). They feature a stunning vivid golden patina hue. The original hands show patina and have aged to a few lighter shades. If you have been after a gilt dial in good condition, you already know how hard is becoming to find them in this condition. It reacts to UV as it should; glowing bright and dying off after a few seconds when the light is turned off.

 

The case is equally good. It remains unpolished and it features original prominent lug bevels with factory standards still present. It shows normal signs of wear for its age. The case back remains in the same condition. The inner case back is correctly engraved 1675 and dated I. 66. The bezel is also preserved with sharp edges. The original bezel insert has aged beautifully, shifting color rather than fading; the blue portion shows a denim blue hue, and the red portion a glossy burnt sienna hue.

 

The original acrylic crystal remains in great shape with only very minor marks.

 

The watch is running well and keeping time, although service history is unknown.

 

It comes suited on its original Rolex Swiss Riveted 7206 stainless steel bracelet with 80 end links and matching clasp dated 2/66 that remains unpolished, with very little stretch for these kind of bracelets and showing normal signs of wear.

 

If this wasn’t enough, this piece is presented as a full set which includes outer box, inner box, punched Bureaux Suisses certificate with matching serial and movement number, rare GMT-Master manual, GMT-Master propaganda leaflet, wallet and punched guarantee papers showing it was sold by a Rolex Retailer in Hong Kong on March 1967.

 

This is indeed a great opportunity to own a piece of Rolex history in collectors’ condition. As they remain in collections, exceptional pieces such as this one are becoming harder and harder to find, eventually surfacing the market in very rare occasions.

 

Macros of dial and case are available under request, as well as videos and movement and inner case back pictures.