168 Rolex Rare and Collectible GMT-Master “Cornino” “Freccino” Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, Reference 1675, With Black Gilt Exclamation Point Dial, Date and Bracelet

Estimate: €15,000 –⁠ 30,000

Model: GMT-Master
Material: Stainless Steel
Reference N°: 1675
Year: 1960
Case N°: 624316
Caliber: 1560
Movement type: Automatic
Bracelet: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 40 mm
Signed: Dial, case and movement

At the beginning of the ’50s, the famous airline company Pan Am was looking for a small instrument which could allow the pilots to keep track of time in two locations. It is said that “necessity is the mother of inventions”, and this needs to which Pan Am sought to find an answer was satisfied by the unsurpassed genius of Rolex, in the wake of the incredible success of the tool-watches that they started producing in the middle of the 20th century. In 1954, therefore, was presented the first GMT model, Reference 6542 with its immediately recognizable bakelite bezel insert with the twenty-four hour markings printed on its underside. Only 5 years later, in the light of the success of this model, the reference 1675 was presented, which remained in production until 1980 and which made significant and important innovations able to solve some flaws of the previous model. First of all the bakelite ring was replaced with a more resistant steel bezel and were added the crown guards to protect the crown from any hits.
The lot offered here is a wonderful specimen of 1675 with some really special features. The stainless steel case is in great conditions, fully well preserved by the last owner. On the side of the case is clearly visible one of the first peculiarity of this watch: the pointed crown guards have a smaller dimension than the normal and for this reason also called “cornino”. The second rarity is the amazing bezel whose colors have faded heavenly turning to a delicious fucsia and delicate light blue. The dial is a charming gilt glossy Swiss only quadrant with a small luminescent dot below the 6 o’clock index, nickname “exclamation point”. These type of dial were produced during a short period between 1960 and 1963, to indicate the lower radioactivity of the luminescent material, making them highly desirable among aficionados. The luminous material has aged nicely gaining a dark brown color and is of course present the original small arrow tip of the 24 hour hand, usually changed to the later version during services. This watch definitely well preserved, together with the appealing feature just described, is also equipped with the always fascinating stainless steel Oyster riveted bracelet and Rolex clasp.