GMT-Master 1675

[mike]

The 1675 GMT-MASTER

Movement: 1565 and later 1575
Produced: From around 1959 to around 1979
Features: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date and 24 hour hand dual time feature.

Rolex made some blue GMTs in the 70s. Some were made for foreign military services (Italian comes to mind). I have seen blues with Peruvian Air Force markings on the caseback.

Some were also made with a Cartier dial and this one with Arabic markings on the dial.

PHOTO CREDIT AAKVIPER

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/fullservpapandwatchArbgmt-1.jpg

I've read reports the insert you show may have some issues.

[Lamone]

The original insert for this baby is the Pepsi.
UAE Dept of Defense issued GMT.

[mike]

The following is some additional research concerning the blue 1675.

NOTE: The following text is credited to AuthurNJ,

The blue GMT bezels were a military issue for the worlds armed fores from the early to the late 1970s. In my opinion they were mainly for the Arab nation's armed forces. As to why blue in color, no one could answer me at Rolex sevice. One neat thing to note was, as soon as Rolex stoped supplying the armed forces the surplus blue bezels were given to the service Rolex centers around the world to get rid of.

But they were very unpopular. Supposedly their was a Rolex service book that had this blue GMT bezel as well as the blue Tudor blue Sub bezel as an option for customers. I have never seen this book. I have also seen an original Peru air force 1675 GMT with a blue bezel insert as well.

The original bezels are rare to find, and not many collectors are aware of their existence. They are dismissed as fakes and looked over or changed to the conventional colors.

The after-market inserts have different number fonts and are of a deeper blue. The silver number area on the original bezels are almost white looking on the after-market bezels.

END QUOTE.

Aurthur seems to be accurate in his research as known examples of blue 1675 exist in the civillian community. It is also known these inserts were used on pieces used by the Peruvian air force.

The following are examples of 1675s fitted with blue inserts..including Cartier,

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/gmt_blue.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/1132567031-1.jpg


Photos obtained from the net--credit to owners

[Lamone]

As far as i remember the Arabic text either means;
"Department of Defense" or "Ministry of Defense".

[akhamdani]

The arabic text to the right is(Ministry of Defence) & in the red area below the Eagle is (United Arab Emirates).

[Cru Jones]

An article for your consideration from fratellowatches.com on the 1675: http://www.fratellowatches.com/archives/2010/04/11/the-rolex-gmt-master-1675/

[watchdawg]

Interesting I was in the Abu Dhabi Rolex Service Center recently and they had a blue GMT bezel insert in stock.

[TerryF]

Interesting I was in the Abu Dhabi Rolex Service Center recently and they had a blue GMT bezel insert in stock.

You by any chance know where theyre situated - I'd love to get my hands on one of them.

[sea-dweller]

Nice 1675's, folks !

[nch209]

What are these ALL blue 1675's worth? I know I am brining this up for the dead... but just gotta know!

[1675-David]

That blue bezel is very sexy, it becomes a whole new watch...