Rolex Reference 6542 GMT-Master | A yellow gold automatic dual time zone wristwatch with date, bracelet, and bakelite bezel, Circa 1958 | 勞力士 型號 6542 GMT-Master 黃金自動上鏈兩地時間腕錶備日期顯示，配鍊帶及人造樹膠錶圈，製作年份約 1958

Property of an American Gentleman
Rolex

Reference 6542 GMT-Master
A yellow gold automatic dual time zone wristwatch with date, bracelet, and bakelite bezel, Circa 1958

勞力士 型號 6542 GMT-Master
黃金自動上鏈兩地時間腕錶備日期顯示，配鍊帶及人造樹膠錶圈，製作年份約 1958

Dial: cognac
Caliber: cal. 1065 automatic, 25 jewels
Movement number: N'866'365
Case: 18k yellow gold, screw-down case back
Case number: 424'253
Closure: 18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet with folding clasp
Size: 38 mm diameter, bracelet circumference is approximately xx mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Rolex presentation box with outer packaging

Condition Report:
Case: The case is in overall very good condition with light signs of use and previous light polish. The gold mark on the back of the lug is clear and visible. The bracelet with more visible surface scratches and has been previously lightly polished. The clasp is stamped '4 63'. The bakelite bezel with cracks at 9-1 o'clock, and 3-6 o'clock. Watchmaker mark on the inside case back. Spring bars are not yellow gold.

Dial: The dial is in overall very good condition. The luminous plots remain intact and have aged throughout. Minor oxidation around the hands.

Movement: The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement.

Catalogue Note:
By 1953, the commercial trans-Atlantic airline industry was at a point where planes were able to take off on one side of the ocean and land on the other in a matter of mere hours. Partly as a result of this, Pan American airlines approached Rolex, and the two companies began working on a watch that could easily tell the hour in two different time zones.

When reference 6542 was released in 1954 it became the official timepiece of Pan-Am Airline - and became Rolex's first GMT-Master ever produced. Their pilots found the watch to be a useful tool in the cockpit where many timing calculations were necessary over the duration of the flight. In addition, the simple ability to know what time it was 'back home' was very easy to see with the watch's Bakelite plastic bezel.

The present watch features some of the most desirable traits from these early examples. The gold case retains its original proportions with its hallmarks visible under the lugs and the original Bakelite bezel insert remains. The original orange/brown ‘nipple’ dial displays in exceptional condition, retaining its non-lollipop minute hand and small arrow 24hr hand. The watch is presented on its rivet Oyster bracelet and accompanied by its original inner and outer display boxes.