The defining characteristic of this GMT-Master 1675/3 is its sought-after black "nipple" dial, a design variant exclusive to Rolex's precious metal and two-tone sports models of the period. Introduced in the 1960s and produced until circa 1980, the reference 1675/3 captured the aspirational spirit of the jet-set age by rendering the classic pilot's watch in a luxurious steel and yellow gold finish.
Founded in 1905 by the visionary Hans Wilsdorf, Rolex was born from a singular, revolutionary idea: to transform the wristwatch from a fragile piece of jewelry into a robust, precise, and reliable daily companion. This ambition was masterfully realized in 1926 with the invention of the Oyster, the world's first waterproof and dustproof wristwatch case. Proven by a triumphant swim across the English Channel on the wrist of Mercedes Gleitze, the Oyster case established the foundational pillar of the brand's identity—performance and dependability in the most demanding conditions—a standard to which every Rolex is held to this day.
Building upon this foundation, Rolex went on to pioneer the defining features of the modern watch, including the self-winding Perpetual rotor in 1931 and the date-displaying Datejust in 1945. The brand then cemented its legend by creating the "professional tool watch" category, developing iconic models engineered for specific endeavors: the Submariner for deep-sea diving, the GMT-Master for intercontinental pilots, and the Cosmograph Daytona for the world of motorsports.
Today, Rolex positions itself as the universal symbol for success, quality, and prestige. As a fully integrated manufacturer, the brand exercises complete control over every component, from smelting its own proprietary gold alloys to assembling its "Superlative Chronometer" certified movements with uncompromising precision.
Overall Grade: 8.5 / 10 | Great Condition, Light Visible Wear Production: est. 1970's Contents: Watch Only Genre: Vintage Sports Watch
Size: 40mm Thickness: approx. 12mm Lug Width: approx. 20mm
Case: Two-tone oyster case, brushed top lugs with polished sides, visible wear Bezel: Two-tone bi-directional bezel, with black-gold GMT insert Dial: Black dial, applied 18k yellow gold "nipple" markers, tritium lume, visible wear Hands: Mercedes hands, 18k yellow gold, tritium lume, visible wear
Crown: Yellow Gold, signed screw-down crown, light wear Crystal: Sapphire, flat, with cyclops lens over the date, visible wear Bracelet: Two-tone oyster bracelet, visible wear Caseback: Stainless Steel, solid, screw-dow, visible wear Movement: Automatic GMT Caliber: 1575