1958 Rolex GMT-Master Bakelite ref. 6542 Retailed by Serpico Y Laino

Up for grabs is a Rolex GMT-Master in steel

Reference 6542 with Cal. 1035 movement, no crown guards, and bakelite bezel

355,XXX serial number circa 1958 production

Good condition case has previously been polished with even lugs. The numbers have been worn from bracelet end-links but the tops of the numbers remain and you can still make out what they are.

As you may know, Rolex had a recall on these watch in 1959 due to high levels of radiation they put out. At first, the dials and bezel were replaced with tritium dials and bakelite tritium bezel, then later they started replacing the bezels with aluminum ones from 1675’s due to fragility of the bakelite. Evidently this watch was one of the earlier swapped watches with OCC Chaptering Swiss T dial and tritium bakelite bezel and hands. The watch emits very low dose of radiation on Geiger counter.

The dial shows crazing and matting of the lacquer from age. The hands match in patina and react to UV the same as the dial. The date disk remains original with alternating red and

The date disk remains original with alternating red and black digits.

Caseback is original and stamped 6542 inside and 1958 date. The outside still retains “Serpico & Laino” engraving.

The crown remains original with brevet “+”

The bracelet is a Rolex 7206 rivet with 80 ends, and ’69 date stamp.

No box or papers.