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Wish I would have took more photos
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calalum
·6542 and DRSD (1665). Was he selling or sharing?
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Marsimaxam
·Nice Rolex turn-o-graph, model 6202 from the late 1950s, the bezel insert has been replaced as the turn-o-graphs were known for a red triangle at the 12 position and the earlier models had a lollipop second hand or dot extended all the way to the chapter ring on the dial which the earlier versions all had, nice gilt dial.
The GMT is a 6542, the holy grail of GMT models, with gilt dial, alternating red and black dates, chapter ring, no crown guards and an acrylic bezel. Most likely dates to early 1950s as the first versions had depth rating on the dial a feature that was later removed. Most likely the insert is an aftermarket replacement as most cracked over the years... an original bezel insert in this condition would sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Only rarer GMT is the white dialed Pan Am version, probably less than 200 were made.
The submariner is a model 1665 Sea Dweller, also known as a double red. It’s difficult to tell which dial version I’m seeing as the image isn’t clear and the hands are blocking the coronet. Everything looks correct and the watch most likely is from the early 1970s.
Three very impressive and very expensive vintage Rolex models.
The GMT is a 6542, the holy grail of GMT models, with gilt dial, alternating red and black dates, chapter ring, no crown guards and an acrylic bezel. Most likely dates to early 1950s as the first versions had depth rating on the dial a feature that was later removed. Most likely the insert is an aftermarket replacement as most cracked over the years... an original bezel insert in this condition would sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Only rarer GMT is the white dialed Pan Am version, probably less than 200 were made.
The submariner is a model 1665 Sea Dweller, also known as a double red. It’s difficult to tell which dial version I’m seeing as the image isn’t clear and the hands are blocking the coronet. Everything looks correct and the watch most likely is from the early 1970s.
Three very impressive and very expensive vintage Rolex models.
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kip595
·Even blurry those are all fantastic - the Turnograph, even w/the bits of work done, man that's cool.
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JohnLy
·The GMT is amazing. It appears the case has factory finish and the bevels look perfect.
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Kay995
·Yeah they are beautiful, he’s a little 80 year old Chinese guy bought them all when they came out and is now trying to sell because of his health and wants to leave his daughter’s cash assets instead of the watches.
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Kay995
·
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Marsimaxam
·Yeah they are beautiful, he’s a little 80 year old Chinese guy bought them all when they came out and is now trying to sell because of his health and wants to leave his daughter’s cash assets instead of the watches.
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Kay995
·Yes he sure does, I offered him 40k for the gmt he said he would take no less than 50k. For the bezel I’m sure it was Real but the bezels edge has discoloring which I don’t know if the case is steel and the bezel is a different metal. I don’t really know to much about different Rolex references and there correctness but other than that watch the others looked correct.
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Marsimaxam
·Yes he sure does, I offered him 40k for the gmt he said he would take no less than 50k. For the bezel I’m sure it was Real but the bezels edge has discoloring which I don’t know if the case is steel and the bezel is a different metal. I don’t really know to much about different Rolex references and there correctness but other than that watch the others looked correct.
You should have taken it for the 50k as even with the aftermarket bezel, it's worth a lot more than 50K. You didn't mention Box and Papers, but this GMT is very rare regardless. The original bezel insert was made out of a type of acrylic known as bakelite. These bezel inserts were very fragile and few have survived in mint condition as most are cracked and discolored.
"The very earliest examples of the ref. 6542 feature the words "GMT-Master" written in pink and are rare, with at least one example known to feature the depth rating of "50m = 165ft" on the dial in red above the pink GMT-Master text. Very early examples might also have a long-neck Mercedes hour hand similar to the Submariner reference 6200, which was also from that period." (Source https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/rolex-gmt-master-reference-points)
Here is a 2017 Phillips auction with a pristine slightly later version, 1959, as it does not have depth rating on dial... sold for 329,000 USD not including buyers premium.
Link to Phillips Auction
https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080217/248
I found a 2012 Christie's auction that sold a 6542 with depth rating for approximately 122,000 USD not including buyers premium.
The watch is worth a lot more today, especially if the bezel is real and even if the bezel is aftermarket it's still worth over 100K as the early versions are very rare. He should have a professional appraisal done... it's worth it ( Any Major Auction House would be happy). Please let this gentleman know and it's worth a hell lot more than 50K if real deal. Get the watch appraised! A true Holy Grail!
Link to Christie's Auction
https://www.christies.com/lotfinder...tainless-steel-automatic-5612379-details.aspx
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Marsimaxam
·nice vintage Rolex pieces this gentleman had I wish I’d have got better photos before I left. one is a 1959 Rolex Gmt
Please read what I wrote above, it's not a 1959 Rolex GMT, but an extremely rare early version of the 6542, most likely 1954, as it has a depth rating on the dial and very few examples have survived especially in this condition. You saw a truly Holy Grail, bakelite bezel insert or not. These are as rare as hen's teeth.
Edited:
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Dan S
·That bezel is pretty clearly not Bakelite. If he claims that it is original, then you need to be really careful dealing with him.
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Marsimaxam
·That bezel is pretty clearly not Bakelite. If he claims that it is original, then you need to be really careful dealing with him.
By the way, I agree, the bezel insert is an aftermarket acrylic insert.
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u35rm8
·Dan, it doesn't matter if the bezel insert is real or aftermarket, the watch and dial in itself is worth a fortune. Very few 6542 were ever made with depth rating on the dial, only in the first run in 1954. If everything else checks out the watch is worth over 100k plus. A lot of the early 6542 GMTs had their bakelite bezel inserts replaced, some with metal inserts... it's not uncommon. Of course having the bakelite insert increases value by over 20 to 30k.
By the way, I agree, the bezel insert is an aftermarket acrylic insert.
I know enough from the pictures to realise they’re valuable if they are indeed the real deal and with the opportunity to buy from the first owner would be a collectors dream.
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Marsimaxam
·Thanks to the original poster for showing us the creme de la creme of vintage Rolex collecting and the poster above for his insight!
I know enough from the pictures to realise they’re valuable if they are indeed the real deal and with the opportunity to buy from the first owner would be a collectors dream.
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Kay995
·Please read what I wrote above, it's not a 1959 Rolex GMT, but an extremely rare early version of the 6542, most likely 1954, as it has a depth rating on the dial and very few examples have survived especially in this condition. You saw a truly Holy Grail, bakelite bezel insert or not. These are as rare as hen's teeth.
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u35rm8
·U35rm8 I've been collecting vintage Rolex models for a long time and that is the first time I have ever heard of someone seeing that version of the 6542 in the wild. I've been to quite a number of gatherings and no one has ever worn that dial, yes, I've seen plenty of 6542s, Newmans and even the lightning bolt Milgaus, but never a depth rating dial on a GMT.
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u35rm8
·Jesus 122,000$ this watch looks exactly like his, the color of the teeth on the bezel I mean. Yeah he was dead set on 1959 could’ve been the year he bought it? I just asked him to send better photos right now so I’ll be posting them once I get them. I did just tell him the watch could be worth a lot more than he thinks. Also asking him what work he got done on them. I may get the submariner from him today he wants $26,000.
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Dan S
·Dan, it doesn't matter if the bezel insert is real or aftermarket, the watch and dial in itself is worth a fortune. Very few 6542 were ever made with depth rating on the dial, only in the first run in 1954. If everything else checks out the watch is worth over 100k plus. A lot of the early 6542 GMTs had their bakelite bezel inserts replaced, some with metal inserts... it's not uncommon. Of course having the bakelite insert increases value by over 20 to 30k.
By the way, I agree, the bezel insert is an aftermarket acrylic insert.
Understood, I totally get it. I was just making a point about the bezel, and potentially the credibility of the seller.
