Maker: |
Rolex |
Model: |
GMT Radial Dial |
Reference No.: |
1675 |
Date: |
1974 |
Case: |
40mm. diameter steel unpolished case in fantastic condition with original fat font Pepsi insert to the bezel and original winding crown. The case back fully signed and stamped 1675. Correctly engraved 1675 between the lugs above the 12 position and the serial number 338**** below position 6. |
Dial: |
The matt dial has the original creamy pumpkin-yellow lume and it is signed Beyeler Geneve on the reverse. It also has the original GMT hands with matching lume. |
Movement: |
Original fully signed and serviced Cal 1570 movement. |
Strap: |
Rolex steel bracelet No. 78360 with date letter A for 1976 and 580 endlinks |
Info: |
ABOUT THIS WATCH This beautifully preserved super-rare Rolex has the perfect dial, hands and case and has the original punched-papers; box and service guarantee from January 2003. The case has never been polished since it was sold 45 years ago in 1974 and the lugs retain their original satin finish and chamfers to the edges. The reference and serial numbers are perfectly engraved between the lugs and the original insert has lovely fat font numbers and vivid Pepsi colours. The dial and hands are 100% perfect with lovely pumpkin-yellow lume. The Rolex Mark III RADIAL dial Very briefly; the definition of a radial dial is one where the lume plots are more centred and slightly smaller than those on standard GMT dials; in addition, but much less visible, the radial dial text has greater serifs. These ‘adjustments' are very minor but they lend the radial dial a totally different appearance compared to the standard GMT dial of the period. The perceived production period for radial dials is between 1976 and 1978 or serial numbers 4.2M to 5.5M. Alongside the very small radial dial production Rolex were still making greater numbers of standard dials for the GMNT 1675. Ð So, they're pretty, they're desirable and they're rare as hens' teeth. But, I hear you say, this Rolex was made in 1974, so how come it's got a radial dial when they're not supposed to have been made before 1976? I can only think of 2 likely answers; The first is that this is a very early example of a matt radial dial – I've spoken to some other very knowledgeable Rolex aficionados and there have apparently been examples of Radial dials on GMT's in the 3 million series, but I have no actual evidence. The second possible answer is that it went back to Rolex for a service some time between 1976 and 1978 and Rolex gave it a service radial dial. It does seem strange to have to go back to Rolex within 2-3 years of purchase, but if that was the case then this must go down as the best service dial ever! |
Box & Papers: |
ORIGINAL PUNCHED-PAPERS, ROLEX BOX AND SERVICE GUARANTEE |
