The iconic red and blue bezel made its debut on the 6542. Known to collectors as the ‘Pepsi’ bezel, due to its colour
scheme being reminiscent of the well known cola brand, the blue half presents night hours (18:00 to 06:00) and the
red half, day hours (06:00 to 18:00).
1960s
In 1959 Rolex launched their second series of the GMT-Master, a reference that would run until approximately 1980,
the reference 1675. This new reference featured the new 1530 series movement, in the case of the GMT-Master caliber
1565. The most striking feature of the updated watch was the presence of crown guards. The case had been enlarged by
2mm and was now 40mm (excluding the crown guards) and was again available in both stainless steel (1675/0) and 18ct
yellow gold (1675/8).
Rolex also introduced the aluminium insert as standard on the reference 1675. On the steel version the ‘Pepsi’ bezel
was standard and on the yellow gold watch the insert was brown. The 1675 went through two crown guard versions too.
The first iteration is referred to by collectors as pointed crown guards (PCG) or in Italian ‘cornino’. This was due
to the thin and sharp profile of the guards. The later version is much thicker and rounded and can be referred to as
rounded crown guards as per the lingo used for Submariners.
1970s
There were two striking additions to the GMT-Master family in the early 1970s. The first was the introduction of a
two-tone GMT-Master in steel and yellow gold (reference 1675/3). This watch was available in two versions – a brown
dial with half brown, half gold bezel insert and also with a black dial and all-black insert. Both watches were
available on two-tone bracelets either Jubilee or Oyster.
The second early 70s addition to the GMT-Master was an all-black insert for the steel watch. In the modern era of
collecting vintage watches, there has become an almost as great focus on collecting rare parts; bezel inserts are of
particular interest. It makes sense, of course, for the owner of a vintage steel GMT-Master to have both a ‘Pepsi’
and black insert to give the option to switch between. Two watches and two very different looks for the price of one
(and an insert). Who wouldn’t love that?
1980s
The end of the 1970s and into the 1980s heralded an era now referred to as the ‘transitional’ period for Rolex. The
brand began to introduce sapphire crystals, the quick set date function and a move back to glossy dials but with
luminous filled white gold applied hour markers. The GMT-Master reference 16750 was introduced in 1979 and had a
quick set date function. The matte dials were eventually phased over to the white gold surround hour markers
dials.
In 1983 the GMT-Master was renamed the GMT Master II with the new reference 16760. The watch now had, as standard, a
sapphire crystal, quick set date and glossy dial with white gold surround hour markers. The big innovation and the
reason for the addition of the “II” in the name was a new independently setting 24hr hand (a quick-set feature).
This was a big development in the line and made the watch a lot more versatile and able to monitor three time zones.
The watch was housed in a much thicker case, to facilitate the thicker movement. Collectors have given this watch
the nickname ‘Fat Lady’. An additional note of interest to collectors is that this watch has an early dial
variation, where the word ‘DATE’ is omitted from the upper dial text. Small, but important details…that’s why we
love vintage Rolex!
