THE ESSENTIALS
MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 6542
YEAR: 1958
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 38mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC
In 1954, the Rolex brand made a distinguished contribution to the world of aviation, answering a call for a watch with the ability to track multiple time zones. This was a crucial requirement before the inception of UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) in 1960.
Crafted in collaboration with Pan Am Airlines, then a giant in the aviation world, the Rolex 6542 was born. This exquisite timepiece is adorned with its iconic Bakelite bezel. Apart from its unique 38mm case – a feature only found in this model – the Bakelite bezel stands as a hallmark of the 6542. This particular model graced the world for a brief five years before giving way to the 1675.
Why the nickname “Pussy Galore”? This is a nod to actress Honor Blackman's character in the film Goldfinger, who sported a 6542. It’s a common misconception that Sean Connery wore the 6542; in reality, he wore a 6538 big crown Submariner on an undersized NATO.
The hunt for a 6542, complete with an original, untouched, and undamaged Bakelite bezel is a challenging endeavour today. Many were replaced with metal inserts for two primary reasons: Bakelite's susceptibility to cracking from both heat and impact, and the original luminous numbers containing Strontium 90, a radioactive material.
The timepiece we present to you today has retained its bakelite bezel and radium dial, as affirmed by our Geiger counter. While the radioactivity diminishes notably towards the end of the '50s and doesn’t seem to penetrate the case back, it still stands as a relic of its time. The roulette date wheel exhibits a stunning patina across all numbers, paired with a large white lollipop second hand and the long, slender GMT hand that gracefully extends past the chapter ring. Perhaps most exciting of all is evidence of the early stages of tropicalisation on the lower section of the dial, visible only in direct-sunlight but a beautiful surprise when observed.
Adding to its elegant look, a period-correct straight end jubilee bracelet is fitted, lending the watch an absolutely superb appearance. Ensuring utmost precision, the movement runs within 5 seconds per day with a decent amplitude of 225.