Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 6542
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1950s
Maker / issuer
RolexThis Rolex GMT-Master reference 6542 is identified as a first-generation model developed to assist pilots in tracking two time zones simultaneously. It features the signature red and blue bezel, originally designed to distinguish AM and PM hours.
The watch incorporates a 24-hour hand that completes one revolution per day in conjunction with a graduated 24-hour bezel. The timepiece includes an original Bakelite bezel insert that exhibits minor signs of cracking, as well as a dial with a matte finish. Luminous material was applied to the bezel for visibility at night. The watch is presented on a steel link bracelet and is noted as being period correct in its components.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- GMT-Master wristwatch
- Model
- GMT-Master
- Dating
- 1950s
- Designation
- First generation
- Bezel material
- Bakelite
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- Rolex
Design
- Visible features
- • Bakelite bezel insert with visible cracking • Black dial with luminous indices and hands • Cyclops lens over the date aperture • Steel oyster-style link bracelet
- Historical Context
- According to the source, the development of the 6542 occurred during the mid-1950s in collaboration with Pan American World Airways. The vendor states that the watch was worn by flight crews during the maiden flight of the Boeing 707 from New York to Paris. The source describes this specific object as an example of that first generation, emphasizing its scarcity and status as a collector's item.
- Condition and Appearance
- The watch is presented in a period-correct configuration. The bezel, constructed of Bakelite, remains intact and displays minor cracking consistent with its age. The dial surface exhibits a matte appearance. Some visual irregularities observed on the dial in photographs are attributed by the vendor to light reflections and dust on the watch crystal caused by the use of strobe lighting during the cataloging process.
- Design and Functionality
- The Rolex GMT-Master reference 6542 was developed to address the requirements of commercial jetliner pilots who needed to track time in two locations simultaneously. The functionality relies on a central 24-hour hand that performs one revolution per day, paired with a rotating 24-hour bezel. This bezel is finished in two colors, red and blue, to indicate AM and PM time periods. For increased visibility, the original Bakelite bezel inserts were treated with radium, allowing the markers to be seen in low-light conditions.
Identification
- Reference
- 6542
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The extent of restoration or part replacement beyond being 'period correct' is not specified.
- Research required: The claim that this specific watch was used by flight crews during the PanAm Boeing 707 maiden flight is an assertion made by the seller.