SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL, GMT-MASTER MODEL, REF. 6542, CASE NO. 426'819, CIRCA 1959

Immediately recognizable by the bakelite bezel insert with twenty-four hour markings printed on its underside, Reference 6542 was created in 1954, being the first ever GMT reference, and the beginning of one of the most legendary and appreciated wristwatch lineage. Landmark in the history of Rolex, the timepiece was commissioned by Pan Am in order for their pilots to manage the negative effects of jet-lag due to the increased speed of intercontinental flights. The timepiece was developed with a second hand, enabling its wearer to keep track of both the local time and the time in their home time zone. The watch was also crafted with an anti-reflective bakelite bezel graduated for 24 hours, which would prevent glaring during flights and therefore limit interferences with navigation. Nicknamed by collectors “Pussy Galore”, following the character in the James Bond movie “Goldfinger”, the popularity of the GMT-Master reference 6542 has steadily increased throughout the years.

Bakelite bezels are extremely fragile and often found to be cracked and consumed by the radium. The present lot is a rare and well preserved example with an intact bakelite insert with no cracking.