Name: Rolex GMT Master 1675 (1961)
Brand: VAT FREE
SKU: vw199
Price: 17500.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

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This is one of the iconic 20th century watches, made by the watchmaker of the 20th century: the Rolex GMT Master. This model was originally developed for the airline Pan American World Airways (Pan Am), the excellent website GMTMaster has an account of the origin of this model:

In the early 1950’s, Pan American World Airways had a growing cache of pilots traveling ever more distantly and frequently. As their time abroad grew, Pan-Am realised that supplying their pilots with a watch that tracked both local and home time could help reduce scheduling error, improve jet lag, and even help morale. They approached Mr. Rene-Paul Jeanneret, the public relations manager of Montres Rolex SA, and requested that they develop a dual time-zone watch for their fleet.

The Rolex GMT has a 24 hour hand (the red hand with the arrow) and a rotatable bezel, to read the time in a second time zone you rotate the bezel to the correct offset and then read the hour from the bezel. It’s a simple solution to a 20th century problem, one created by the appearance of the jet airplane.

This particular Rolex GMT dates from 1961, s/n 694xxx making it an early model date coded on the inside of the case back to the second quarter of 1961. It has the first iteration of the crown guards, referred to as pointy-crown guards (PCG) because of their shape. The watch has a beautiful, original gilt dial (Type 3) and handset which predates the use of tritium luminous compound. Dials were often exchanged during routine service, making this a rare survivor. and indeed it's in great condition. The watch has the correct matching 1961 date coded bracelet.

Vintage Rolex watches are all about the details and as is often the case some components have been replaced during the life of this watch. The end links on the bracelet are a later type (type 580 rather than the correct type 58); the lume plots on both dial and hands have certainly been redone at some point; the case has been polished, although this has been done sympathetically. The bezel ring is a later service replacement (the milling on the sides is a slightly different form from the original that would have come with the watch), and the bezel insert is rather faded on the blue side and I think this is also a later service replacement.

The watch came to me with a Rolex chronometer certificate and box, although this isn’t the original certificate for this watch (it’s for a different serial number movement), I’ve included it since it’s from the correct period and the box is always a handy thing to have!

An eminently wearable example of the Rolex GMT for the discerning collector and indeed for someone with the patience to source the correct bezel and insert this could be really the centrepiece of any collection.

Case diameter: 39mm
Case material: stainless steel
Strap width: 20mm
time keeping: grade A

Order processing

We aim to dispatch all orders within 2-3 working days.

When your order is dispatched, your tracking details will be updated.

If you have opted for a custom engraving please allow an additional 1-2 working days.

If you are purchasing during a sale or a limited edition release, you can expect an email update with an estimated dispatch date if there any changes to the timeframe.

If you are in a hurry for your order, please email us. We'll try our best to prioritise your order.

Shipping guide for watches

UK: FREE DPD shipping, 1-2 working days
United States & Canada: FREE DHL shipping, 1-3 working days
The EU: FREE DHL shipping, 2-4 working days. To order to The EU, please visit our Euro website here (duties and taxes are included in the price of your watch).

Click here to see the full shipping guide for watches

Shipping guide for t-shirts

Our t-shirts are printed by us and shipped from our workshop in London. This means if you place an order for both a watch and t-shirt(s), they will be shipped together via an express service. Delivery times for these can be found here.

If you order a t-shirt without a watch, it will be shipped via a Royal Mail tracked service which usually takes a little longer. You can see an estimated timescale when you input your address at the checkout.

Shipping guide for watch straps

If purchased separately from your watch, watch straps will be shipped with Royal Mail 1st Class / International tracked shipping.

This takes 2-14 working days depending on location. You can see a more accurate timescale when you input your address at the checkout.

These delivery times are a guide based on the carriers terms of service, products may, in some unusual cases take longer to arrive. If this happens, please get in touch.

Return your watch for an exchange

We are happy to exchange unworn watches.

Fastening the watch will cause damage to the leather. If this is the case, we charge for the watch strap (or we can put the worn strap on the exchanged watch for free).

Please email us directly if you think your watch is faulty.

Return your watch for a refund

To return for a full refund, you have 30 days if purchased online. After this time we can offer an exchange if your watch hasn’t been worn.

If you purchased your watch in-store, we can offer an exchange or store credit only. This is because you’ve seen the watch in person and had the opportunity to try it on. Please let us know if you’re purchasing as a gift.

T-shirt returns and Exchanges

We recommend checking the measurements of our t-shirts on our size guide before placing your order, you can also check them here

However, if your t-shirt is faulty, we can offer an exchange or a refund. In this circumstance, please email us within 30 days of placing your order, with a photograph of the problem, as well as your order number.

To return other products (such as straps) please email us: info@mrjoneswatches.com to arrange this.

UK returns

1) Generate your free returns label here.

2) Print it off and stick it to your original packaging.

3) Take it to your local post office. Find your closest here.

(If you no longer have your original packaging, please ensure your watch is securely wrapped in bubble wrap / something similar to protect it in transit).

NB please include a short note describing the issue with the watch and your contact details.

EU and International returns

Please send the watch to this address:

Mr Jones Watches (repairs)
61 Dartmouth Road
London SE23 3HN
United Kingdom

Ensure the watch is securely wrapped in bubble wrap to protect it in transit.

Please include a note stating:

- the reason for the return
- a detailed description of the problem with your watch (if sending for repair)
- your email address and your order number
- remember to include your return delivery address, (so we know where to send the repaired watch)

We recommend you use a tracked service.

As the UK is no longer in the EU, you will have to fill in a Customs Declaration form (usually a CN22).

Please write in the description field "wristwatch, return for factory repair / refund , no commercial value."

This is essential otherwise an import duty will be levied which you will be liable for (there is no way for us to reclaim this charge).

Please note: we do not cover shipping costs for unwanted items, returned from outside of the UK. If you are returning a watch that is faulty we may be able to reimburse shipping costs if your watch is within warranty, please contact us ahead of sending in this instance.

Rolex GMT Master 1675 (1961)