Che Guevara's GMT Master reference 1675

K killer67

Don’t forget che often wore 2 watches here is a clear shot of his 6536/6538

Walrus

Well these two guys wearing them goes against what they preached but who am I to judge

djmusicman

That's Fidel. I've seen Fidel wearing a GMT and Datejust on the same wrist. We know he had a 6542:

I just think that Che's watch is somehow more fascinating, given the history and we know less about it. It could be that Che had more than one also or it could be that the very same watch we see in the first photo of the thread is the watch that he was wearing when he was assassinated.

K killer67

well that depends in what side of the political spectrum you’re on

janice&fred

i'm on the side that knows the difference between activists and murderers.

djmusicman

Here is the best photo of Che Guevara's GMT Master that I can find. We can find a few photos online, most aren't very good quality. The image below shows a 1675 PCG (pointed crown guards) Cornino in Italian (corno meaning horn):

I'd be interested to see other photos. The best bet would be photos of Che published in books that just happen to allow us to get a good look at the watch.

Here, we get a great look at Fidel Castro's 1675 PCG GMT:

We know for example that Ed White wore a 105.003 and Neil Armstrong a 105.012. The 1675 varied a lot over it's production run and we still don't know exactly what he had.

For example, here is a ref. 1675 PCG, chapter ring from 1961:

Here is a ref. 1675 PCG gloss, underline, double swiss from 1963 (too bad each variation didn't get a separate reference number it's so much easier to say 105.002 105.003 and instantly know what it is and how to distinguish them)

Che's watch was stolen after his execution in 1967 by CIA agent Felix Rodríguez:

"Although he apparently was under CIA instructions to "do everything possible to keep him alive," Rodríguez transmitted the order to execute Guevara from the Bolivian High Command to the soldiers at La Higueras--he also directed them not to shoot Guevara in the face so that his wounds would appear to be combat-related--and personally informed Che that he would be killed. After the execution, Rodríguez took Che's Rolex watch, often proudly showing it to reporters during the ensuing years"

This is a watch that could very well resurface one day. I imagine that at auction it would sell for way over the $17.75 million paid for Paul Newman's Daytona.

Gav1967

Regardless which side of the political divide we sit, discussing watches worn by people of some sort of historical importance is surely valid for a watch forum without resorting to supporting or condemning their politics.

Gav1967

Most of what you have written is a political view despite your denial
If you find it distasteful then maybe just move on to the next thread and let the guys in this thread discuss the watches

djmusicman

In the same way that Paul Newman is the iconic Daytona wearer. James Bond (Sean Connery & Roger Moore) perhaps did more for the Submariner than anyone else. Eveyone knows the influence NASA and the astronauts have had one the Speedmaster. Che and fidel are the iconic GMT Master wearers. I'd consider Tom Selleck to be a distant 3rd. In 100 years no one will care about Tom Selleck but that picture of Che Guevara wearing a GMT Master will remain of great historical significance in the Rolex story.

Rolex themselves even used his image in Adverts, albeit with the wrong watch.

janice&fred

obviously my objection is portraying the CIA agent as a thief, and comparing his GMT significance to that of Paul Newman's Daytona, as if somehow che was a stand up guy. Everyone in this historical event had their hands dirty.

janice&fred

i'm on the side that knows the difference between activists and murderers.