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Old 14 July 2018, 10:45 PM   #1
Haywood_Milton
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GMT-Master 6542 Bakelite, with macro images

Good morning all,

I have just received this 6542 GMT-Master from II.1958 with 356xxx case number, from a batch I know.



I am happy with the dial, which looks brilliant as best I can tell through the worn glass.







Case and movement as I’d expect, some wear and an obvious jewel missing. 25-Jewel 1035 calibre, DN774300.









Hands - I note the blunt end of the small arrow and copious luminous material.



The bezel is where my experience lacks. Personally I believe the Bakelite bezel to be correct, but I would welcome input from those who can comment on that specific part with confidence:





























Please take pity on me, as I don't yet have a Bakelite!



Haywood
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Old 14 July 2018, 11:04 PM   #2
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Old 15 July 2018, 12:00 AM   #3
harry in montreal
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Sweet lord. Congratulations
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Old 15 July 2018, 01:01 AM   #4
ADINVA
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This is, in my view, the best vintage with a lot of characters. Amazing piece!
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Old 15 July 2018, 01:06 AM   #5
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Beautiful & stunning piece!! Would love if you shared some photos of your 1019's as well soon.
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Old 15 July 2018, 01:07 AM   #6
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Absolutely Beautiful!!
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Old 15 July 2018, 01:29 AM   #7
JSeb
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Beautiful piece!!

I am far from an expert but the insert certainly does look good. It's condition does match the rest of the watch. I looks a bit too aged to be a repo The only true tell would be to test it for radiation ...

Congrats!
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Old 15 July 2018, 01:39 AM   #8
Haywood_Milton
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Quote:
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Beautiful piece!!

I am far from an expert but the insert certainly does look good. It's condition does match the rest of the watch. I looks a bit too aged to be a repo The only true tell would be to test it for radiation ...

Congrats!
Thankyou.

I understand that not all were radioactive.

It appears under a UV light that the hour and minute hands have been relumed, as have the indices on the dial.
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Old 15 July 2018, 03:23 AM   #9
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Damn, that's an amazing watch. All I know is... don't try to take that insert out of the bezel... it could shatter.
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Old 15 July 2018, 04:19 AM   #10
JSeb
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton View Post
Thankyou.

I understand that not all were radioactive.

It appears under a UV light that the hour and minute hands have been relumed, as have the indices on the dial.
oh, I thought they all were. My assumption was that because of the recall , they were replaced with aluminum inserts . Yours being near the end of the production run . I dont recall when the recall was done but it was probably prior to your model, or could the lume have been redone on the insert as well when the dial and hands were done?

That gmt had is definitely relumed!! guess he didn't want to waste any and make sure it was visible
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Old 15 July 2018, 07:45 AM   #11
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Beautiful gmt.


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Old 15 July 2018, 09:44 AM   #12
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Beautiful. But likely relumed as another poster had pointed out. Nonetheless, it’s oozing charm.


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Old 15 July 2018, 11:43 AM   #13
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Beautiful watch!


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Old 15 July 2018, 11:49 AM   #14
cowboy music
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Absolutely beautiful watch! Congratulations! Bakelite is so cool.

Question for someone trying to learn - since the minute hand does not reach the minute track, is that an indication that it is a replacement hand?
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Old 15 July 2018, 12:10 PM   #15
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Outstanding, Sir!
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Old 15 July 2018, 12:15 PM   #16
Richard Carver
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omg, that gilt.
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Old 15 July 2018, 03:11 PM   #17
Dr.Smellody
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Totally awesome!!!
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Old 15 July 2018, 05:51 PM   #18
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This is what keeps me in the game....knowing that someday a find like this is possible. Bravo.
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Old 15 July 2018, 06:37 PM   #19
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Stunning, congrats
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Old 15 July 2018, 06:41 PM   #20
RyanPrasad
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Fantastic! Newb question here but with something like this do you risk replacing the crystal so that its actually "useable" or do you just keep this one in the safe?
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Old 16 July 2018, 07:39 PM   #21
Haywood_Milton
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Quote:
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Fantastic! Newb question here but with something like this do you risk replacing the crystal so that its actually "useable" or do you just keep this one in the safe?
Most likely I would simply rub the glass smooth a little so that the beauty of the dial could be better appreciated.

Wear one of my watches?
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Old 16 July 2018, 07:42 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cowboy music View Post
Absolutely beautiful watch! Congratulations! Bakelite is so cool.

Question for someone trying to learn - since the minute hand does not reach the minute track, is that an indication that it is a replacement hand?
I am wary of macro photos which can be deceptive in the way they show relative positions. Anyway, the length of the hand was not as obvious to me as what you will see in a picture taken under UV light, to follow shortly.

H
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Old 16 July 2018, 07:50 PM   #23
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Stunning
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Old 16 July 2018, 08:27 PM   #24
Haywood_Milton
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Thankyou all for such positive and helpful comments.

I am delighted to find that opinion here and elsewhere supports my belief that the insert is correct. One does like to trust one's eyes and "nose" with vintage Rolex, even those with which one has less experience.

The dial has caused some debate.

I have stated that I believe the dial to be relumed, but some significant names said it might not be. I remain of the opinion that it is, but post here some images which may help conclude any debate.



























Now, that lovely bezel is stuck solid. "Doris, the big hammer please!" .....suggestions welcome!

Haywood
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Old 17 July 2018, 02:25 AM   #25
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Haywood, dial is likely not relumed. Hour and minute hand are later replacements. Beautiful 6542!
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Old 17 July 2018, 08:11 AM   #26
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Haywood, dial is likely not relumed. Hour and minute hand are later replacements. Beautiful 6542!
Agree with Michael. I’ve had similar 6542 dials which look like that and react similarly. GMT hand is also likely untouched with the smudgy radium all over and seconds hand is as expected. Hour and minute is prob from the mid 60’s as they glow nicely and are short and flat.

I’m no expert on bakelites but to me it looks AOK.

Super nice 6542
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Old 17 July 2018, 08:16 AM   #27
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Here’s one I had which is kind of similar. Almost like a crust on top. If that is what makes you think yours is relumed.

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Old 17 July 2018, 09:22 AM   #28
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bit worn eh?
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Old 17 July 2018, 07:08 PM   #29
Haywood_Milton
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bit worn eh?
I don't understand to what this is referring or what point you are making. Would you please elaborate / clarify? Thankyou.
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Old 17 July 2018, 11:19 PM   #30
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Beautiful! If you end up cleaning the crystal up a little bit can you post more pics?
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