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Rolex. A stainless steel automatic bracelet watch with gloss dial and roulette date wheel of historic interest having been used upon the Pegasus Overland Expedition of 1959 GMT-Master, Ref: 6542, Circa 1959 image 1
Rolex. A stainless steel automatic bracelet watch with gloss dial and roulette date wheel of historic interest having been used upon the Pegasus Overland Expedition of 1959 GMT-Master, Ref: 6542, Circa 1959 image 2
Lot 39

Rolex. A stainless steel automatic bracelet watch with gloss dial and roulette date wheel of historic interest having been used upon the Pegasus Overland Expedition of 1959
GMT-Master, Ref: 6542, Circa 1959

Amended
15 December 2021, 14:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £15,250 inc. premium

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Rolex. A stainless steel automatic bracelet watch with gloss dial and roulette date wheel of historic interest having been used upon the Pegasus Overland Expedition of 1959

Model: GMT-Master
Reference: 6542
Date: Circa 1959
Movement: 25-jewel Cal.1066 automatic, free-sprung Glucydor balance, adjusted to 5 positions and temperature, No.DN885827
Dial: Black gloss, luminous dot hour markers with baton quarters, gilt outer minute track with 5 minute divisions, magnified date aperture at 3, polished Mercedes hands, centre seconds, red arrow tipped dual time zone hand
Case: Brushed and polished tonneau form, screw down back and crown, later bi-directional 'Pepsi' bezel insert, personal engraving to case back, inner case back stamped 11.59, No.161523
Strap/Bracelet: Fitted folded rivet 7836 Oyster link, end links stamped 380
Buckle/Clasp: Signed folding clasp, stamped T D
Signed: Case, dial & movement
Size: 38mm
Accompaniments: Rolex service paperwork dated 1981-1997, blank Guarantee, Chronometer Certificate, swing tag, brochure, Rolex polystyrene service box

Footnotes

In 1959 8 men from the 12th and 13th Battalions of the Parachute Regiment embarked on an expedition in 2 Land Rovers covering Europe, Asia, Australasia and Africa. The Pegasus Overland expedition, as it was known, took 51 weeks with the men travelling through 34 countries. It is believed that the voyage was sponsored by Rolex and each member of the group was gifted a Rolex to wear upon the trip. The current lot is one of this number and is offered on behalf of the family of Peter Finn, a telephonic engineer from Liverpool, who made up part of the octet.

The expedition was well recorded and a set of fantastic videos reproducing the original film is available to view via the below links. The footage offers a fascinating glimpse of late 50s life around many places in the world showing snippets of everything from global architecture, fashion, motoring to nature and iconic landmarks. At 12 minutes 37 of video 1 one of the Rolexes gifted can be seen prominently upon the wrist of the driver.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Saleroom notices

Please note that the case number should read 161520.

Additional information

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