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Lot Essay
US$30,000-50,000
The present watch is a rare and appealing example of Rolex dual time zone reference 6542. Preserved in original and overall very good condition, it features the much sought-after bakelite bezel.
For collectors it is always a pleasure to find a reference 6542 with an acrylic or bakelite bezel. Bakelite is an early plastic, dating from the beginning of the 20th century and was used for its heat-resistance, as well as its electrical non-conductivity. For the GMT-Master, Rolex chose this bezel insert material for its property to reduce reflection. While the light will bounce off the material, it is not too glossy on a bezel and thus allows accurate reading even when the sunlight is strong. As bakelite bezels are easily breakable, the Geneva firm decided to replace the acrylic insert with a more resistant metal version, hence making such bezels more precious to the avid collector.
The present watch is a rare and appealing example of Rolex dual time zone reference 6542. Preserved in original and overall very good condition, it features the much sought-after bakelite bezel.
For collectors it is always a pleasure to find a reference 6542 with an acrylic or bakelite bezel. Bakelite is an early plastic, dating from the beginning of the 20th century and was used for its heat-resistance, as well as its electrical non-conductivity. For the GMT-Master, Rolex chose this bezel insert material for its property to reduce reflection. While the light will bounce off the material, it is not too glossy on a bezel and thus allows accurate reading even when the sunlight is strong. As bakelite bezels are easily breakable, the Geneva firm decided to replace the acrylic insert with a more resistant metal version, hence making such bezels more precious to the avid collector.