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.

Watch is in very good overall condition. Case has been previously polished, and lugs show a nice chamfered edge and only minor signs of surface wear. The bezel insert is faded and shows moderate surface scratches and fading. The original Mk1 dial has been relumed at some point, and the 4, 6 and 9 indexes are broken as seen in the images. Hands are also relumed and the hour hand as cracks in it. Watch comes on a C+I USA rivet band with 11 links total. It fits a 6 3/4" wrist and has moderate stretch. Watch includes a USA Jubilee band in stretched condition, additional worn bezel insert, as well as a later box set.

Famed as the quintessential Rolex GMT-Master, the ref. 1675 has grown into one of the most iconic timepieces in watchmaking with its stunning aesthetic, signature bezel, and deep history.