I need help with a 6542 GMT Master no guard Pepsi

[deans98svt]

Yes I’m new here. I’m sure I will ask some ignorant questions but any help would be great. I have GMT Master 6542 with no crown guard. We think it’s from the late 40’s early 50’s. No papers some of the serial number has been scraped. I have posses the watch for 27-28 years. Had cleaned up and serviced about 17 years ago. I had some things changed on it then but retained all the original parts. My question is will Rolex authenticate the watch if I send it back to have returned to stock. To regain some of it worth. Any insight would be great.

[Tools]

The GMT Master 6542 (Pussy Galore) was introduced in 1954.

If you have an original bakelite insert, you have a gem indeed. Rolex is unlikely to reinstall and bring this watch back to stock, although they do have a vintage program in Switzerland you could look into.

[dhknola]

Post some pics, you may have a very valuable watch.

[deans98svt]

Ok ignorant question number 1. What’s the bakelight insert? How can I tell. I can’t seem to post pics any insight on that would be great.

[deans98svt]

It won’t let me post links because I only have 3 post’s. If you’d like some pics text me and I can send them to you. 941-650-9054

Dean

[STEELINOX]

The OP asked that I post an image he texted to me on his behalf...

[STEELINOX]

Here is the image the OP sent me - there are more as well...



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[dhknola]

OK; to say that looks off is an understatement...at a glance it appears like a chapter ring dial and handset inserted in to a later case which I have no idea which one because of the lack of crown guards.

[Styles Bitchley]

Wow. That looks weird.


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[datejust24]

What in Sam hell?!

[Kingface66]

No idea what that watch if yours actually is. There’s a lot of mismatching going on there, and not even sure what’s authentic.

As a comparison this is what a true 6542 with Bakelite insert looks like

IMG_6808.jpg


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[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

Here is the image the OP sent me - there are more as well...



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How is that insert even on there... Did they glue it on or something, is it sitting on top of the original Bakelite one?

[andy2518]

I belive this is the definition of a franken watch

[deans98svt]

I learning slowly but surely on this thing. It has some good and some bad for sure. But like anything it’s with something to someone. I don’t want the watch any longer and want upgrade to a Daytona or Yacht Master. If you see something that interests you let me know.

[circles]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

Here is the image the OP sent me - there are more as well...

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Ouch!

[saskmh]

I have to see what the outcome of this one is...

Too many comments to make. First thing I see is the dial looks wrong, wrong coronet, wrong marker outlines, wrong hands, wrong bezel and crown, sub insert glued on top,


If this is a legit case and movement, there is a major restoration project ahead.

....please share some pics with the original parts you retained.

[deans98svt]

Again I agree with all comments. I’m not here to say I have something amazing what I think I have is something that someone could rebuild. Numbers on the case are as follow. 397877. Again this could be worthless. We know the watch is real and the movement appears legit. Everything else appears bastardized.

[STEELINOX]

Here are more of the OP’s images that he is allowing me to post again on his behalf...



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[STEELINOX]

These I have zoomed in...



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[circles]

A 6542 in the 4th quarter of 1960?

[Toronto Soup King]

Originally Posted by circles

A 6542 in the 4th quarter of 1960?

A Tiger, you say? Curiouser and curiouser!

[dhknola]

This is one of the strangest amalgamations of a watch I have ever seen.

[Styles Bitchley]

I’d actually be quite curious to hear what Rolex would tell you if you brought this into a service centre.


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[watchcrank]

Such a mismatch of poor parts even if any are really Rolex manufactured. Having had a few of these projects this is not a place to even start.

[pts1956]

Hi deans98svt
I guess by now you know from the honest feedback from the forum members that your watch is the sum of many. As regards restoration it would be completely prohibitive financially to try and do that unless you have a very large bank account and a lot of time. I don’t think it’s all bad news though , (it would help to have more detailed and macro images ) but there are some parts that look like they may be genuine. The dial and hands look like they are from a Gmt 1675 if it is genuine and gilt ( glossy surface) the dial could be worth a fair bit, the Pepsi insert , from the photo anyway) looks like it could be genuine and looks like it MAY be what’s called a fuchsia insert, it could be a trick of the light, but if a fuchsia colour they are worth a lot of money these days( just google them) the other parts that were taken off may also be genuine such as the movement , case, jubilee strap and bezel ring, so as individual pieces collectively could well be a tidy sum, the watch as a reference is a complete disaster. Thanks STEELINOX for helping out and posting on OP’s behalf.

Dean when you are able to please post close up images when you can and the real experts on here can help you identify what is real and what is not, regards


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[watchcrank]

The insert is a current blue back & not fushcia. The dial is a matte t25 marked dial & it looks odd to me, note the material within the painted hour markers. Not gilt at all.

[Mark020]

Dial may be a service one..

[saskmh]

....The steel bracelet and clasp are aftermarket as well.

The pepsi insert is a later service insert.

[uncleluck]

Looks like something that’s been made up from an old watchmakers drawers!

[deans98svt]

Well it’s officially gone. Traded for a 1995 Sub. Stainless black