How to buy Rolex GMT-Master watches vintage and certified pre-owned online
In addition to
pre-owned Rolex GMT-Master watches, the Watchmaster online shop offers a large number of luxury watches of major international brands as well as medium-sized and small German companies at comparably
low prices. You can either pay for your new wristwatch quickly and easily by credit card or PayPal or opt for long-term
financing. The payment can be adjusted individually in small instalments. The shipping is insured. During the entire purchase process, our customer service will be pleased to assist you at any time and inform you about further possibilities.
ROLEX GMT-MASTER 1675Why a GMT-Master watch is perfect for the cockpit
The
GMT-Master, and along with it many other Rolex series, was initially developed for
professional use. Thanks to its
24-hour bezel, the GMT-Master can point out a
second time zone with an extra hand, making it perfect for use in the cockpit. Its striking design and high functionality make it popular far beyond the circles of connoisseurs, making them one of the Rolex flagship models.
Rolex GMT-Master watches and their prices
Here is an overview of the references produced between
1954 and 1999 and their main differences:
- The GMT-Master 6542 was produced between 1954 and 1959. It is actually a further development of the Turn-O-Graph 6202, which has been equipped with a 24-hour function. The first two years it was made with a plastic bezel, which was then replaced by a metal bezel, as it was less prone to scratches. Watches with this reference number are waterproof and pressure-resistant up to a depth of 50 metres. The reference bears the unofficial nickname "Pussy Galore" because it was seen in the 1964 published "Goldfinger" on the wrist of Pussy Galore actress Honor Blackman Bond fans. You can buy a certified pre-owned GMT-Master 6542 for a purchase price of €37,800.
- The successor, the Rolex GMT-Master 1675, was produced from 1959 to 1980. Until 1964 it was equipped with the Calibre 1565 movement, which was then replaced by the 1575th as innovations it received a crown protection on both sides of the winding crown and its dial was for the first time provided with the two-line lettering "Superlative Chronometer officially certified", a big step for Rolex. In addition, the second hand stopped now when you pulled out the crown, to guarantee adjustability in high accuracy. As a well-preserved pre-owned model, you can buy the GMT-Master 1675 for about €13,500 (1968).
- Introduced in the early 1970s, the Rolex GMT-Master 16753 is a special two-tone variant made of steel and gold. It comes with either a brown, white or black dial, a second time zone. A special version of this reference is the GMT-Master "Root Beer". The 16753 has some characteristics of its predecessor with the reference 1675, for instance, the case or the dial. The caliber received an update: the new reference was equipped with the caliber 3075. In addition, she got the handy fast switching of the date. A model of Ref. 16753 in used condition costs about €9,800 (1979).
- In the years 1981 to 1988, the Rolex GMT-Master 16750 was produced. In it the calibre 3075 ticked, unlike its predecessors, it was waterproof up to 100 m depth and is equipped with some innovations: There was a quickset option and from now on it was available with two different dials. The matte version without white gold indices is rare today and in great demand, as the matte dials were later often replaced by shiny ones. The shiny version with white gold indices is more common with vintage models. In good condition, this vintage Rolex 16750 is available for a price of €14,000 including papers (1984).
- In 1983, GMT-Master II Ref. 16760 was introduced, which was nicknamed "Fat Lady" because of its somewhat thicker body. New features included the independently adjustable additional hand and the rotating bezel, which made it possible even to refer to a third time zone. In addition, a new lunette colour was added with the combination of red and black. The original design of the watch with the iconic, mostly two-tone bezel has been largely retained and still gives the watch its recognition value today.
- GMT-Master and GMT-Master II were produced in parallel until the late 90s, 1988 – 1999, the GMT-Master (Ref. 16700) was sold with the calibre 3175 as the last reference in the series. A certified, second-hand GMT-Master 16700 watch costs about €8,900 in good condition.
ROLEX GMT-MASTER 16750The history of GMT-Masters and their references
There are rumours that the
Rolex GMT-Master was allegedly inspired by a proposal request issued by the luxury airline Pan American Airlines (PanAm), to which Rolex applied. It does not matter if it's true or not, it is clear that the watch is still
closely associated with PanAm today. When the wristwatch was introduced in 1954, it was primarily geared to the needs of the pilot and onboard crew. While expanding the airline network, these flying personnel flew more and more routes and faced new challenges. Pilots and crew on PanAm flights were
equipped with GMT-Master, as they could read the time at the point of departure as well as in the destination country at any time on its
24-hour bezel. It is best known for its two-tone bezel in blue-red, which is called
"Pepsi" bezel because of the colour combination which reminds of the famous soft drink brand. The two different colors mark day and night and are a striking recognition feature of the series.
The "GMT" in the name stands for
Greenwich Mean Time, the mean solar time at the Greenwich meridian, which was previously considered world time, before it was replaced in 1972 by the currently used UTC (Coordinated Universal Time).
Meanwhile, the Rolex GMT-Master has been replaced by the
GMT-Master II, so it is only available in a used condition or as a
vintage model. In addition to the iconic “Pepsi" design, it is also available with a full black bezel or black and red bezel, known as GMT-Master "Coke".
ROLEX GMT-MASTER 16750Why do bezels of the GMT-Master fade?
Vintage GMT-Master models with a nice fading are rare and valuable
As the
GMT-Master is best known for its
eye-catching bezel, its condition is an important criterion in the evaluation of vintage watches. In the case of the "Pepsi" bezel, however, the red part of the bezel may fade, the so-called
"bezel fading". By sunlight, it turns rose to pink. What could be a blemish, however, aroused great enthusiasm among Rolex collectors and makes the watch even
more valuable today: The more uniform the bezel is discoloured, the more collectors will offer. Vintage models with nice
fading are rare, as they were often replaced with new lunettes. However, one should be careful that the ageing process of the bezel is genuine and not artificially accelerated by the use of chemicals. When buying certified, used luxury watches from sellers like Watchmaster, you're on the safe side.
The GMT-Master in film, art and revolution
As an
absolute icon among the Rolex watches, it is no wonder that you are in good company with a
GMT-Master on your wrist. On one hand, it convinces with its high functionality: If you travel a lot or for professional reasons have to deal with different time zones, the watch is ideal for you. At the same time, it has a high recognition value due to its unmistakable bezel and quickly became famous outside of the circles of flying personnel as well. Its most famous screen appearance was in the James Bond movie "Goldfinger" on the wrist of the character Pussy Galore, incarnated by actress Honor Blackman, who wears a
Rolex 6542. Orlando Bloom was also photographed often with his
vintage GMT-Master 1675 with "Pepsi" colouring.
Another famous model was worn by Che Guevara, who was said to have been given the ref. 1675 by Fidel Castro.
Even the world-famous painter Pablo Picasso had a weakness for watches. In his private collection was also a
GMT-Master 1675 with "Pepsi" bezel.
ROLEX GMT-MASTER 16750
Other exciting Rolex series
- The Rolex Datejust is the epitome of classic Rolex design. As the first wristwatch with today's typical date display with a magnifying glass, it dispenses with other ornaments. At midnight, the date display jumps to the new date within milliseconds – a sensation at that time, today an integral part of all Rolex series and an important milestone in the history of watchmaking.
- The Rolex Air-King is a perfect entry-level model that was worn by British fighter pilots during World War II for its simplicity and excellent accuracy. Today, the gentlemen's watch is equally elegant to a suit and casual outfit.
- The Rolex Submariner was developed as a diver's watch, but today has also gained icon status outside of the water. Its rotatable bezel and luminescent indices make it easy to read dive and decompression time even in low light conditions, giving it the sporty look that fans love.
- The Rolex Milgauss was originally designed for scientists and still has a special status in the Rolex series: With its lightning-shaped orange second hand and the green sapphire crystal, it is a real eye-catcher. In addition to the usual functions for Rolex, it has a special strength: magnetic fields of up to 1,000 Gauss have no influence on its accuracy.
- The Rolex Pearlmaster is a special series as well: while Rolex relies on minimalist design, this exclusive wristwatch is available in different gold variants with diamonds. Rolex shows with the noble series how jewellery watches attract attention without appearing pretentious.
