Rolex GMT-Master 6542 Full Set + Rolex Correspondences Original Dial & Bakelite Bezel c. 1959

What is even more interesting and amazing is the fact that accompanying this watch are correspondences between the owner (S/Sgt Jay E. Broadwell) & Rolex Geneva in the form of letter addressed to Mr. Broadwell explaining the service and things done to the watch.

With these letter, one can tell that from the very beginning, the radium on the dial was causing problems with the acrylic crystal as the very first letter had addressed this issue resulting in Rolex having to replace the crystal F.O.C.

The letters from Rolex to Mr. Broadwell dated from 1960 March till May 1963.

Case: stainless steel screw back case has been polished as the bevels are not sharp anymore. There are scratches and small dings as this watch was a workhorse and has shown signs of heavy usage. Serial numbers and reference numbers are clear though they show wear from 67 years in existence. Pictures of both set of numbers have been included above so please check them out.

Dial: 100% original gilt tropical dial with original radium markers (NO relume). The dial has tropicalized to a beautiful “bronze-like” color. Hands are the correct length and is also gilt. Radium on the hands react correctly to UV light. Cannot confirm if the hands have been relumed. Date disc is the period correct roulette date disc with red/black alternating numbers.

Bezel: Original Rolex factory Bakelite bezel with visible crazing but no breakage. Original radium in the bezel had been removed probably by Rolex and replaced by a non-glowing paint (see the picture of the UV reaction ) as we know that Rolex recalled all of these bezels due to the radium radiation so my theory is that they repainted these bezels. Bezel turns freely.

Movement: original caliber 1030 (designated as 1036 by Rolex due to the GMT function) is running strong but is losing a couple of minutes a week. Pls verify with the pictures provided above

Bracelet: 100% original Rolex “Big Crown” jubilee bracelet with clasp dated 1962 so it is only 3 years later that the owner probably bought this jubilee bracelet to replace the 7206 Oyster rivet bracelet.

Accessories : original period correct “coffin inner box” (no outer box). Original papers and COSC cert. Also included are all 9 letters from Rolex to S/Sgt Broadwell.

All the facts have been provided above for your perusal and decision making.

Item has been described as accurately as possible and we did not even block out any of the serial numbers so that the potential buyer can do their D&D before purchasing.

This watch is priced “correctly” so kindly not “lowball” as we are in no hurry to sell this beautiful piece of GMT history.