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Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 6542 with Bakelite Bezel, Stainless Steel, Oyster Bracelet, 1958, Spider Dial

The 6542 is where the GMT-Master story begins. In the mid-1950s, Rolex developed it together with Pan American Airways, whose pilots needed a watch that could show two time zones at once on long intercontinental flights. The result became one of the most famous watches in aviation history. The very first examples had a feature that makes them legendary among collectors today: a bezel insert made of Bakelite.

The 38 mm Oyster case is made of stainless steel and has the slim, elegant proportions of the early GMTs, without crown guards. The bezel is what makes this watch so special. The insert is made of Bakelite, an early synthetic material, with the 24-hour scale in red and blue and luminous numerals. Bakelite turned out to be fragile and cracked easily, so this is where the attractive looks comes from. That is why an original Bakelite bezel surviving to this day is a true rarity, and one of the most sought-after details in all of vintage Rolex collecting.

The gilt, black glossy Radium Spider Dial shows beautiful sign of vintage aging. This is how the watch should look like! The minute indexes are connected. The hands aslo are set with the originql radium lume and are active when set under black UV light. The red 24-hour hand shows the second time zone against the bezel, and the date (red) window sits at 3 o’clock.

Inside works a self-winding Rolex GMT chronometer movement ca.1030, robust and reliable, built for life in the cockpit.

The watch sits on a latert stainless steel Oyster bracelet from 4/69!

The watch dates from 1958 and is in very good, original condition. 

"One early and rare GMT-Masters, with its original Bakelite bezel, and a true and wonderful collectors icon!"