Rolex
1978 Rolex Two-Tone GMT-Master (Ref. 1675)
The Rolex GMT is the jet-setting icon of the Rolex sports watch family. Like the Rolex Submariner, the Rolex GMT is sophisticated, rugged, and versatile.
In 1954 Pan Am started using the newly designed Boeing 707 which allowed for Pan Am to fly transcontinentally and is said to have started the commercially available jet age. In the same year, Rolex received a request from Pan Am to create a technical pilots watch which indicated two time zones simultaneously that could be issued by the airline to their crews on long-haul transcontinental international flights.
GMT or UTC stands for Greenwich Mean Time or Coordinated Universal Time which is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. GMT or UTC is the time zone that is required for all aviation planning, weather forecasts, schedules, and other paperwork.
The original Rolex GMT Master has a fourth 24-hour hand directly displaying the same time zone as the standard 12-hour hand but on a 24-hour scale. This GMT hand enabled the crews to set the watch to GMT or another time zone, and, using the rotatable 24-hour scale bezel, set to the correct offset thus displaying a second time zone on the 24-hour scale.
| Stock # | RLX1675GMT78TT-3 | |
| Brand | Rolex | |
| Style | GMT-Master | |
| Model | 1675 | |
| Serial | 56XXXXX | |
| Size | Men's | |
| Material | SS/ 14K YG | |
| Dial | Glossy Black "Nipple Dial" | |
| Millimeters | 40 | |
| Strap | 2pc Handmade Leader Strap |
CASE & BRACELET
The strong case retains thick and symmetrical lugs that show signs of being lightly polished in the past. The original black and gold bezel insert is in exceptional original condition showing no fading or signs of use. The case retains its original yellow gold twin-lock Rolex crown. The watch comes supplied on a handmade 2pc black leather strap with a gold-toned buckle.
DIAL & HANDS
Glossy black "nipple dial" is in wonderfully preserved vintage condition, retaining its glossy mirror-like finish and showing some minor signs of honest age with no notable damage. The tritium lume plots have achieved a gorgeous golden coloration that coordinated with the rest of the watch perfectly, under U.V light inspection there is no degradation in the lume present. The original yellow gold tritium hands match the dial perfectly, under U.V. light inspection there is some light lume loss in the sweep-second's hand and the hour hand exhibits some very minor cracking, both hands remain stable, the minute and 24hr hand remains fully intact. The metallic gold date wheel is original with open 6's and 9's.
ACCESSORIES
None. The watch is keeping time, previous service history is unknown.