6542
- Production
- 1954–1959
- Model
- GMT-Master
- Case material
- Oystersteel
- Case size
- 38mm
- Movement
- Automatic
- Calibre
- Cal. 1036 (later 1065/1066)
- Bezel
- Other · Bi-directional Rotating
- Dial colours
- Black
- Market value band
- $30k – $90k
Built at Pan American World Airways' request so pilots crossing multiple time zones could read home time at a glance. It created the entire dual-time watch category. The earliest bezels were bakelite with radium-filled numerals; they cracked, and the radium got them recalled, which is why an intact bakelite bezel is one of the rarest details in vintage Rolex.
Key dates.
- Introduced for Pan Am flight crews as the first GMT-Master
- Original bakelite bezels are exceptionally rare — most surviving 6542s wear a replacement aluminium insert fitted by Rolex during the recall.
Before you ask.
When was the Rolex 6542 produced?
The 6542 was produced from 1954 to 1959.
What movement does the Rolex 6542 use?
The Rolex 6542 runs the Cal. 1036 (later 1065/1066), an automatic movement.
How do I check a Rolex 6542 with Watch Safe?
Look up the watch's serial number in the Watch Safe registry to see whether a record exists or a theft flag is attached. A registry search identifies records for a specific serial; it does not authenticate the watch. Authentication is performed in person by an independent expert authenticator, and Watch Safe records and publishes the result.
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