
Jonathan Darracott
Global Head
Sold for £15,250 inc. premium
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Head of sale, Knightsbridge
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Senior Cataloguer
The model 6542 was manufactured from 1954 until 1959 and is distinguishable from its replacements by the lack of guards to protect the crown. Originally designed to enable PanAm pilots to see two different time-zones at a glance, the Rolex GMT soon became favoured among business travellers in general. This reference found further fame around 5 years after Rolex finished production; this time on the wrist of Honour Blackmans Pussy Galore in the James Bond movie Goldfinger.
The early models are immediately recognisable by their bright bakelite bezels. The delicate nature of bakelite and the radium radioactivity of the luminous numbering meant many were replaced during their lifetime as with the current example.