Rolex GMT Master 1675 rootbeer nipple dial 1978

This is a rare opportunity to purchase a Rolex GMT Master 1675 two-tone rootbeer from 1978. No one else than Clint Eastwood used to wear his personal rootbeer GMT in several movies beginning in 1982 with Firefox until 1993 with In the line of fire. What we have here at WRITS ICONS is actually the predecessor of the watch that Clint Eastwood wore, the 4 digit 1675 rootbeer. What sets this watch apart from other GMT references is the use of matte brown dial in combination with golden nipple hour markers and a gorgeous looking applied logo! To complete the watch, there is an additional brown bezel which gives the watch a complete different look!

History of the Rolex GMT Master

As the flight industry began to really take off in the 1940s and 1950s, pilots began flying longer distances. Originally designed in collaboration with Pan Am Airways, the Rolex GMT Master was initially created for Pan AM, and issued by them to their crews on long-haul flights. The key feature of the watch was that the wearer could tell different times simultaneously. The original GMT Master watch has a 24 hour display fourth hand complication directly linked to and displaying the same time zone as the standard 12 hour hand. The GMT hand enables the wearer to set the watch to GMT or any other time zone for the main time view, then set the rotatable 24 hour scale bezel to a second time zone. The name GMT is derived from Greenwich Mean Time. Greenwich Mean Time is also known as Coordinated Universal Time, and is the time zone that is required for all aviation planning, weather forecasts, and schedules.

The first Rolex GMT reference 6542 was introduced in 1954. It featured a bakelite bezel (which was replaced after two years by an aluminum bezel because it cracked very easily) and had no crown guards. The James Bond fan also might recognize this watch as it was on the wrist of Pussy Galore in the Goldfinger movie. The Rolex GMT-Master ref.6542 was in production till 1959.

Perhaps one of the most popular vintage Rolex GMT-Master watches is this ref.1675. This watch was introduced in 1959 and was in production till 1980, indeed a very long time. Till the late 1960s, the extra hour hand featured a small triangle and was succeeded by a red hand with a larger triangle through-out the 1970s. Early models also featured pointed crown guards and a chapter ring. It was also the first Rolex sports watch that became available on both the Oyster (reference 78360) and Jubilee (reference 62510) bracelet.

Followed by the Rolex GMT Master 16750 in ca 1980, a model with a new movement and glossy dials. Rolex started using the caliber 3075 movement, which featured a quick-set date. The movement also increased ‘speed’ to 28,800vph. This model was in production till 1988.

Design

The Rolex GMT-Master is the most recognizable traveler’s watch in the world. One of the successful ingredients for this, is that Rolex always has been consistent regarding the design of the GMT-Master.

The Rolex GMT-Master was originally designed for professional use to aid airline pilots. However, its combination of peerless functionality and instantly recognizable aesthetics has attracted a wider audience of world travellers. Designed to show the time in two different time zones simultaneously during intercontinental flights, the GMT‑Master has come to be recognized for its robustness and versatile appearance. The GMT-Master II evokes intercontinental travel across time zones. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) marks mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London — the location of the original meridian used for calculating longitude and determining different time zones around the world.

This reference 1675 features an especially rare design with the addition of a brown and yellow "Root Beer" bezel and matching brown dial topped with yellow gold nipple hour markers and applied Rolex crown logo and sweeping hands. The iconic date aperture is also visible on the dial, adding to its functionality. This reference also comes equipped with a full lenth two-tone oyster bracelet.

Notes & Conditions:

This is a really fine looking vintage Rolex GMT Master 1675. It is in excellent vintage condition, remarkable well preserved for its age. It is a really nice watch that you can use as a daily wearer.

Case Excellent case that has been polished and shows light wear from use.
Caseback Original 1675 caseback. Has some scratches but in good vintage condition
Bezel Comes with an excellent Root Beer bezel which has lightly faded from wear. Comes with an additional all brown bezel which is a bezel from a 1675/8, the golden GMT Master.
Dial and hands Excellent matte brown Root Beer dial with matching creamy nipple yellow markers and hands. This really nice nipple dial has some patina on it. It looks very honest..Date disk with open 6’s and 9’s.
Movement Caliber 1575 based on caliber 1570 beating at 19,800 beats per hour and benefits from an increased power reserve of 48 hours with 26 jewels
Bracelet: Stainless steel and 18k yellow gold Oyster w/ Fliplock clasp. Comes with 18 links and has moderate stretch for its age.

Overall, the exceptional finishing of the Rolex GMT Rootbeer is noteworthy, both for its design and execution.

As with all of our pre-owned watches this watch comes with a full 12 month WRIST ICONS warranty that will be invoked from the day of purchase. Price:€12.950,00 inc worldwide shipping
More info, please visit: https://www.wristicons.com/rolex-1675-gmt-master-rootbeer-1978.html

I have sold some pieces through Chronotrader (check Wouter ) several references on Omega Forum and only positive feed-back on chrono24 (Trusted seller).

Viewings can be arranged at our office by appointment.

Specifications:

Brand: Rolex
Model: GMT Master
Reference: 1675
Serial number:55831**
Year: 1978
caliber: Automatic mechanical caliber 1575 with date aperture waterproof screw down crown
Movement No:
Case: It has a stainless steel case with screw down case back
Dimensions: 40mm diameter;
Case thickness: 12 MM including sapphire crystal
Case back: 1657 Oyster steel screw lock
Water resistance: 50 MT / 5 ATM
Bezel: GMT gold with new old stock original rootbeer inlay and an additional original brown inlay
Crystal: plexi glass
Box/Papers: no
Bracelet: Steel and gold 78363 bracelet with steel oyster deployant clasp with clasp code 62150 S P3 (1991) Rolex final end links 480
Seller Warranty: 12 Months