Middle case no. 6542. Case back no. 6542–157. Serial no. 26XXXX. Movement no. N718587.

The advent of long-distance flights during the 1950s meant that pilots were crossing multiple time zones on a daily basis. To help pilots keep track of the switching time zones, Pan American Airlines looked to Rolex to create a tool that would address this very issue. This marked the birth of the now iconic GMT-Master reference 6542. The reference was later aptly named “Pussy Galore” after its appearance on the wrist of British actress Honor Blackman (1925–2020) who portrayed the villainous character in the 1964 James Bond classic ''Goldfinger''. Naturally, a 63-year-old watch is bound to show signs of wear, and this piece is certainly not exempt from the effects of time. Most noticeably, the absence of a bezel, the replacement crown, and the drill marks on the case back strikes the eye. Although rough in appearance, the significance of this reference deems it a worthy specimen for any serious collector who is either looking to take it on as a project or appreciates the rugged outline as it stands.