Debuting in 1954, the Rolex GMT-Master accompanied the wrists of pilots to help with tracking time zones as they navigated across the sky. The bezel could be turned to allow for the wearer’s choice in the selection of time zones. Following the success of the original GMT-Master Reference 6542, Rolex released successor Reference 1675 in 1959. Production continued until 1980 creating different “marks” that could be distinguished by varying cases, dials, bezels, and hands.

The present lot, Rolex Ref. 1675 comes from the family of a former Pan Am Airways pilot who purchased and wore his GMT-Master over a 30 year career with the company. Additionally, the pilot was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard’s Strategic Air Command Unit who were tasked with various world relief efforts and covert missions in Vietnam. Throughout his entire aviator career, his GMT-Master accompanied his wrist.

The present watch features a “Mark II” dial, distinguished by the “square” shaped Rolex letters, “L” and “E” in Rolex closer together than the others, and a matte dial. The watch appears to be unpolished and in honest, original condition.