Setting a new world record for any Rolex GMT Master ever sold at auction, this rare Rolex GMT Master ref. 6542 in 18K yellow gold sold for CHF 341,000 Swiss Francs —including Buyer's premium—, approximately $350,000 USD. Not only this watch is one of the most well preserved and most complete sets out there, but it also features a very unique bronze hue dial. Exceeding its original estimate of CHF 180,000-280,000, last time this particular watch sold at auction, it also fetched crazy money, but not at the level it did last night at the Hotel La Réserve in Geneva during the Phillips Watches Auction THREE. Definitely a true gem in its kind, this new record for this particular Rolex reference, is one that we will hardly see get beaten in the near future.
Along with its unique dial, overall condition of its bakelite bezel and super tight bracelet, the watch was also offered as complete as it gets with its original box and all paperwork. Accompanied by original warranty papers confirming the sale of the watch on October 25th, 1958, Certifcate from the Bureaux Suisses de Contrôle Ofciel de la Marche des Chronomètres, product literature, leather wallet, presentation box and outer packaging, this watch is one that sold for what it had to. No less, no more.
One of the most notable features of the present lot is its unrestored, incredibly looking cognac brown-colored Bakelite bezel. Not to mention the sick chamfers on this watch and its super tight bracelet. It is also fitted with an absolutely stunning light brass-colored nipple dial that could easily be interpreted as having aged to a “tropical” color, but it is actually the original color it was born with when it left the Rolex factory nearly 60 years ago.
Yesterday, this watch along with a handful of other vintage Rolex watches offered at the Phillips Start-Stop-Reset auction and the Auction THREE, has joined the ranks of one of the most coveted Rolexes ever sold at auction.
Sticker Price CHF 341,000 —approximately $350,000 USD. For more info on Phillips Watches click here.
