Hi OF, Thought I might share you my Rolex story. And I'll start with the most common questions that I gets asked these past a couple of years that I've been collecting, which are, - do you have a vintage Rolex? - when are you getting a vintage Rolex? - why haven't you got a vintage Rolex / any Rolex yet? And the most common answer that I've given to those who asked me is just that I'm not a Rolex guy, I found other brands like UG or Gallet are much much more interesting than Rolex, which is actually true for me. But to a few good watch mates who asked me those questions, I would explained them a little bit more the reason why. And the reason why is because I only like a few of particular references in Rolex, such as the Explorer 6150 & 6610, or GMT-Master 6542. To those who are familiar with those references, they are the earliest Explorer and GMT references. And they commands hefty premium, especially on the 6542 with original bakelite bezel. The high price tags for a great condition aside, which can go for well beyond 6 figures in auctions on 6542, it is hard to find one with full "original" condition that hasn't been "prepared". So finding one in original condition, with the right price for me, was just a dream that most likely would never happen these days to me. Originality is very important for me, especially coming from a brand like UG which is my orbit of existence. And not until Tuesday morning where I was replying to a mate's FB chat (I'm not normally on FB a lot, especially in the morning), something came up in my feed and it was from a local FB groups. It was a photo of a Rolex GMT-Master 6542 that was posted by a watchmaker in Melbourne. Initially, I thought it was too good to be true, or the watch would carry a ridiculous asking price. But I sent him a message anyway based on the one photo. We talked throughout the day and he explained to me that he's helping the original owner's family to sell the watch. The original owner is 80 years old, can't walk properly, and needs a renovation to his home in order to accomodate his condition. He then sent me about a dozen photos of the watch, which I then quickly did some research as well as asked some opinions from a few mates who are more familiar with vintage Rolex. Based on my research and a few experts opinions, the watch is legit. Then I asked him on what sort of money would he or the family would let go the watch for. It was a really high price for a watch, but for me, it was a very fair price for this reference. The watchmaker knows nothing about vintage watches, he normally deals in modern/fashion watches, he didn't even mention the reference up until the end, he was simply referring the watch as "the first Rolex GMT". But he obviously did a little bit of a research on the watch, which then led him to the asking price. The watch is just my kind of barn find, from the original family, everything is original, the photos actually looks so much worse than the actual watch. Long story short, I decided to make a run for it and told him that I will fly to Melbourne from Sydney, on Friday. I told him that if we can negotiate the price a bit more when I'm there, that'd be great too because it's still a shitload of money for me and I had to sell a few major pieces in my collection to make a run for it. He then told me that he's already got a few enquiries about the watch, and also someone in Melbourne who will inspect the watch later in the arvo too. So unless I would commit on his asking price, he won't really hold the watch until Friday. I replied back to him in an hour, after talking to a few potential buyers for some of my other watches, and I told him that I'll meet his asking price. So we agreed to meet on Friday which leaves me 3 days to gather the fund. And on Thursday arvo, I learnt that Melbourne will have a massive storm coming from Friday-Sunday, which apparently was going to be a "1 in a 100 years kind of event". The news reported that there will be flash flooding, thunderstorm, etc you name it. I was up until late night thinking whether or not I should postpone the meet, because I definitely don't want to go around the city, carrying a 6542, in that kind of weather. But I decided to go anyway, early morning flight at 6.30am which already got delayed already until 7am due to the weather. I was prepared with Melbourne weather, including a membrane box and waterproof sealed bag for the watch. It was raining when I got there, but it wasn't pouring and it stayed like that until the end of the day fortunately. I picked up the watch just after lunch time, spent a couple of hours with the watchmaker talking and inspecting the watch. I was so stoked that the watch look heaps better than the photos. Unfortunately my flight back to Sydney, which was the latest flight of the day, got cancelled 15 minutes before boarding because there was a bad storm on the way back to Sydney apparently. I was already trashed at the time because I barely had any sleep the night before, caught an early flight, and spent the day wondering around Melbourne, caught up with a good mate, as well as a fellow watch collectors. But I ended up staying at a mate's place, which also a member here, thanks @AESTime!! My replacement flight was 8.30am the next morning, which was yesterday, and glad there was no further delay on that flight despite the weather. And now, without further ado, my first Rolex, GMT-Master 6542 with original bakelite bezel that still rotates. OCC gilt radium dial. Original glass with 'cyclop', this was the first time that Rolex would feature such 'cyclop'. Love the roulette date wheel! All original hands including the white seconds hand. Case is always important to me, the condition of the case is insane, I probably wouldn't go through with the purchase if the case has been polished. The reference and serial are still very visible, which is unusual for this reference. Serial 262xxx is in the correct range. Original crown with no crown-guard. Caseback marked 6542 and I 57 which means the watch was made in the first quarter of 1957. 1030 movement with the "butterfly antenna" shape. The watch is far from mint, but the most important part of the watch which is the bakelite bezel is still intact. The bakelite bezel is very rare to be found, especially in the original condition because it was fragile in nature. Rolex also recalled the the bakelite bezel because of high levels of radium found in the bezel. The dial has lost some of its glossiness, but it has an even patina, great wabi-sabi for me. Never thought I'd say this anytime soon, but I am now a proud owner of a Rolex watch. Hope you enjoy the thread! Best Andre
It's all about the hunt. And these are the watches. Just awesome. Congrats. Oh ya, and totally suits you!
Great read and love the story behind the hunt. The weather sucks and flight disruption was a pain. We were told to expect worse but it was not not as severe as predicted. Enjoy the 6452.
Damn. You could've stayed at our place Andre. You would have been perfectly safe and dry. I wouldn't have smothered you with a pillow during the night just for a watch. Really. I wouldn't. I don't think I would. Well maybe..................
@Dre I'm really glad that this piece was brought into the omegaforum community. I saw the post on facebook and lamented that this piece was unattainable - i don't think my current collections' gross value would equal the $$ needed! But now i can see it every now and again in a WRUW post or some other highlight post
Congrats Andre, your experience served you to know it was a once in a life opportunity. What about the rivet bracelet ? Mounir
I don’t think I’m the one that should be worried, sleep is overrated for me when I’m at another watch nerd’s place! Thank you my friend. The bracelet is unfortunately not the correct one for this reference. It seems to be a Bubbleback or Air-King bracelet, made in England. The correct bracelet is meant to be 7206 with 80 endlinks. Both the watchmaker who was brokering the deal, and the family were 100% sure that the bracelet is original. So I’m not so sure what happened there.
I think the endlinks would rather be 58 for a GMT, 80 are for Sub’s. I am not sure they were marked 7206 in 1957. Here are some interesting links: http://www.watchprosite.com/page-wf.forumpost/fi-732/ti-1085393/pi-8002293/ https://rolexvintageforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=240 A never ending story or quest...
Interesting, will have to do some more reading later. I'm not very knowledgeable with Rolex bracelets, but I was following these 2 tables below, I was told 7206 by some Rolex experts that I've consulted with as well. I will be looking for both correct Oyster bracelet and a similar period Jubilee for the watch.
What a great story! It's such tales that fortify me to go on the horological journey. I hope I can share a tale of mine 1 day!
Congratulations, Andre! Spectacular watch and condition! Can you post photos of the inner and out bracelet clasp? Is it by Dennison? It's likely still correct even if not Swiss, and I wouldn't worry about it. Definitely not for a bubbleback, which I don't think ever had flush end pieces (and only the big bubblebacks like the earliest Subs and Explorers had 20mm end pieces).
Congratulations, Andre! your story made my day, its all about the hunting experience in this wonderful watch world. Very nice GMT, now I understand why people say buy the best example you can get.