ROLEX, GMT-MASTER REF. 6542 ‘BAKELITE’, A RARE STEEL AUTOMATIC TWO TIME WRISTWATCH
CASE NUMBER: 212’808, MOVEMENT NUMBER: N694’150
Price Realised USD 100,800
Estimate
USD 100,000 - USD 150,000
Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
Loading details
Try our
ROLEX, GMT-MASTER REF. 6542 ‘BAKELITE’, A RARE STEEL AUTOMATIC TWO TIME WRISTWATCH
CASE NUMBER: 212’808, MOVEMENT NUMBER: N694’150
Price Realised USD 100,800
Price Realised USD 100,800
- Conditions of Sale
- FAQs
- This lot is offered by Christie's Dubai Ltd.Christie's Dubai Ltd.
Dubai Intl Financial Centre, Gate Village 5 P.O Box 506685, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 (0)4 425 5647
Fax: +971 (0)4 425 5639
Brought to you by
Bob XueSenior Specialist, Watches
Lot Essay
The Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 6542 is an iconic tool watch that was commissioned by Pan Am in the 1950s to help their pilots track multiple time zones. The original Ref. 6542, the most collectible of the Rolex GMT models, was fitted with a two-tone bakelite (acrylic bezel) that featured radium coated numerals.
These bezels were brittle in nature and were replaced aluminium-insert versions during routine service. Also concerns around the use of radium meant Rolex stopped production of bakelite bezels very quickly.
A Ref. 6542 with a bakelite bezel was famously seen on the wrist of Honor Blackman’s character Pussy Galore in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. Today, spotting a Ref. 6542 with an original bakelite bezel is a rare occurrence indeed and it remains a much sought-after model among vintage Rolex collectors.
These bezels were brittle in nature and were replaced aluminium-insert versions during routine service. Also concerns around the use of radium meant Rolex stopped production of bakelite bezels very quickly.
A Ref. 6542 with a bakelite bezel was famously seen on the wrist of Honor Blackman’s character Pussy Galore in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. Today, spotting a Ref. 6542 with an original bakelite bezel is a rare occurrence indeed and it remains a much sought-after model among vintage Rolex collectors.
Lot 85
Sale 21092
.jpg?mode=max&width=600)
CASE NUMBER: 212’808, MOVEMENT NUMBER: N694’150
ROLEX, GMT-MASTER REF. 6542 ‘BAKELITE’, A RARE STEEL AUTOMATIC TWO TIME WRISTWATCH
Estimate: USD 100,000 - 150,000
Bid amount
Buyer's premium
Estimated total cost exclusive of duties