Released in 1954, the Rolex GMT-Master resulted from a collaboration between now-extinct airline Pan Am and Rolex on a watch that would display the time across two time zones at once. Thanks to the popularisation of commercial air travel, planes were becoming more advanced and traveling longer distances. This resulted in pilots crossing time zones during flights more frequently, and thus a need for uniformity across the aviation industry was highlighted. To eliminate errors caused by time confusion, the industry adopted a standard time-zone, Greenwich Mean Time. As such, the GMT-Master's fourth hand, its 2nd hour hand, was used to constantly display Greenwich Mean Time, as its model name implies, while its regular hour hand displayed local time. While the aviation industry's standard time-zone switched to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) in 1972, the name of the legendary GMT-Master was far too long in use for Rolex to change it. Today, the GMT-Master has become one of Rolex's most iconic models, with very few pilot's watches, if any, rivaling its level of fame, popularity, or signature design – and it certainly looks like it will stay that way.

Replacing the original GMT-Master, the ref. 6542 in 1959, the GMT Master ref. 1675 introduced a selection of essential upgrades that increased the GMT-Master's robustness and made it an internally superior timepiece to what had come before. Powered by the new chronometer-spec cal. 1565 movement, the ref. 1675 was the first GMT-Master family member to receive the coveted "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" inscription on its dial. Furthermore, it introduced the case-altering, and now standard issue, crown guards to protect its winding crown from impacts. Its crown guards had a pointed shape from 1959 until 1965, which is when they changed to a flat, or square profile. Produced until 1980, the GMT-Master ref. 1675 is the longest-running GMT-Master model Rolex has ever produced and as such, is the quintessential reference with the longest history for Rolex collectors to enjoy and connect with.

The watch is in excellent condition overall. The stainless steel case has some scratches and marks as expected for a watch of this vintage. The case has been polished in the past, as seen in the slightly softened lugs. The bezel edge is well-defined, and the so-called Pepsi insert has some light marks and natural fading, which is more noticeable on the red side. The black gilt dial has light mottling but no visible scratches. Some of the luminous indexes are slightly abraded and imperfect. The hands are later, relumed and have inconsistent coloring to the dial. The watch is fitted with an Oyster rivet bracelet with some light stretch, featuring 12 links and fitting an approximately 7 1/2" wrist. The watch comes with a box, warranty booklet, GMT-Master booklet, hangtag, original invoice, and retailer card. The guarantee certificate has the mode number (1675) followed by an unknown 5 digit number that does not correspond to the serial number. The paperwork is original to the watch and is dated and stamped by the same German retailer as indicated on the included sales receipt.