History of the Rolex GMT Master

[andrema]

http://gmtmasterhistory.com/index.html

Here is an example of the original, Rolex GMT Master Ref 6542, from the site:


Ref. 6542 aka "Pussy Galore"

Production Period: 1954-1959 Model Name: Rolex GMT Master Caliber: 1036 (1954-1959), 1065 (1957-1959), 1066 (1957-1959) Pressure proof to 50m/165ft This was the first GMT Master. It was launched 1954. It was developed on the basis of a regular Turn-O-Graph (Ref. 6202). The modifications were a different bezel and a modified movement. The first version of the Ref. 6542 had a bakelite bezel insert. As this bezel was likely to crack, it got replaced by a metal bezel in 1956. The bakelite bezel was luminous.

The name Pussy Galore originates from a character in a James Bond movie, wearing this watch.



Ref. 6542

Ref. 6542

Here is a timeline for each GMT Master model:

Timeline

[hoalinks1088]

I recently encountered a Rolex GMT Master Ref. 6542 which was in production between 1956 to 1959. There is something amazing at seeing a forty year old watch still ticking. The bracelet has been replaced and the watch no longer has its original bakelite bezel

[andrema]

That is pretty amazing! I definitely want one, but am on the fence on which model!

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