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The longest standing and best known model of vintage GMT Master is the 1675 which was introduced in 1959 and produced up until 1980. Rolex produced several versions of the GMT Master, however for many people, the 'classic' GMT Master will always be the red and blue ‘Pepsi’.
From around 1967 until the end of the 1675 reference ( early 1980's), the GMT-Master featured a matte dial with white printing.
Up until the late 1960s, the extra hour hand featured a small triangle - the gilt dial 1675 had a small GMT hand - which was succeeded by a red hand with a larger triangle through-out the 1970's, however it is possible to find a matte dialed 1675 with the small GMT hand, as Rolex has been known to use their older parts until no more were left.
The aim of this project was to create a 1675 GMT 'Pepsi' from the late 60's - a matte dial with a dwarf GMT hand, and to try to get as close as possible to the beautifully thin cases of the genuine. One of the major problems with the rep cases available is the thickness - they are much thicker than a gen Rolex cases, the crown guards on older Cartel cases are also a little too stubby. Both of these problems can be worked around with success.
The watch started off as an older Cartel GMT model with a DG3804B movement. The case has been thinned to gen GMT spec' - gen cases are 4.8mm high (excluding crystal and case back of course) and so is this one.
The Crown tube was removed, the opening filled and re-drilled to allow the crown height to be raised by 0.75mm.
5.3mm crowns are too small for these cases - there's a gap between the guards and the crown, so a gen 6mm crown was used here for aesthetic reasons.
The dial is a genuine Rolex 1675 matte with tritium dots, in almost perfect condition, and dates from 1968/1969. The crystal is NOS Rolex, the bezel insert is genuine vintage Rolex from the early 70's, and has faded to a fantastic cobalt blue/raspberry red color.
The bracelet, clasp and end links, (held in place by gen Rolex spring bars) are in exceptional condition for their age, with very little stretch in the bracelet, are all genuine Rolex and date to the late 1960's.
The original movement was retained, as it's a reliable low beat true GMT movement, a thin profile case back has been installed along with hands from various sources, the bezel ring is from WSO..
The next project is a UAE GMT 1675 Blueberry, simply using a reshaped & reworked stock Cartel GMT as a base, a custom printed dial and a blue insert.
Thanks for looking.
From around 1967 until the end of the 1675 reference ( early 1980's), the GMT-Master featured a matte dial with white printing.
Up until the late 1960s, the extra hour hand featured a small triangle - the gilt dial 1675 had a small GMT hand - which was succeeded by a red hand with a larger triangle through-out the 1970's, however it is possible to find a matte dialed 1675 with the small GMT hand, as Rolex has been known to use their older parts until no more were left.
The aim of this project was to create a 1675 GMT 'Pepsi' from the late 60's - a matte dial with a dwarf GMT hand, and to try to get as close as possible to the beautifully thin cases of the genuine. One of the major problems with the rep cases available is the thickness - they are much thicker than a gen Rolex cases, the crown guards on older Cartel cases are also a little too stubby. Both of these problems can be worked around with success.
The watch started off as an older Cartel GMT model with a DG3804B movement. The case has been thinned to gen GMT spec' - gen cases are 4.8mm high (excluding crystal and case back of course) and so is this one.
The Crown tube was removed, the opening filled and re-drilled to allow the crown height to be raised by 0.75mm.
5.3mm crowns are too small for these cases - there's a gap between the guards and the crown, so a gen 6mm crown was used here for aesthetic reasons.
The dial is a genuine Rolex 1675 matte with tritium dots, in almost perfect condition, and dates from 1968/1969. The crystal is NOS Rolex, the bezel insert is genuine vintage Rolex from the early 70's, and has faded to a fantastic cobalt blue/raspberry red color.
The bracelet, clasp and end links, (held in place by gen Rolex spring bars) are in exceptional condition for their age, with very little stretch in the bracelet, are all genuine Rolex and date to the late 1960's.
The original movement was retained, as it's a reliable low beat true GMT movement, a thin profile case back has been installed along with hands from various sources, the bezel ring is from WSO..
The next project is a UAE GMT 1675 Blueberry, simply using a reshaped & reworked stock Cartel GMT as a base, a custom printed dial and a blue insert.
Thanks for looking.