Robspring81 Posted January 3, 2020 Report Share Posted January 3, 2020 Greetings, I inherited a 1958 GMT master ref. 6542 from my Grandfather who passed away in 2013. He purchased the watch new in 1959 In Rammstein Germany while in the Air Force. He was a career pilot and I imagine he picked this watch out because it was a useful tool for a pilot to have. In the 70’s the original bezel broke and his watch service ship installed another submariner style bezel on it( I imagine back then without the internet it was harder to source parts). He also replaced the original bracelet( may have broke or who knows). He put a JB Champion brick bracelet on it as you seen in the photos. I purchased a Bakelite replica bezel for it, And plan on getting a genuine 7206 with 58 end links (if I can find the right deal). He wore the watch for over 50 years and it has held up wonderfully. The dial and hands are original. Here are some photos of the watch, along with a picture of my Grandfather wearing it in 1965 or 66. He worked for the test flight program at Edwards Air Force base in the 60s and 70s after he retired and wore the watch daily. So the watch has some very cool Flight related history as well. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Posted January 3, 2020 Report Share Posted January 3, 2020 Wow damn nice.This one deserves the right parts again.Gesendet von meinem Mi MIX 2S mit Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hologramet Posted January 4, 2020 Report Share Posted January 4, 2020 Try to find a genuine 5.3mm Brevet crown. Too bad for you that I sold one at 1/3 of market price 6 months Aho... Skickat från min iPhone med Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackflash Posted January 4, 2020 Report Share Posted January 4, 2020 Lovely watch. Congrats. Would be tempted to leave it as-is. The watch evolved with your Grandfather, the result is his story. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted January 4, 2020 Report Share Posted January 4, 2020 3 hours ago, jackflash said: Lovely watch. Congrats. Would be tempted to leave it as-is. The watch evolved with your Grandfather, the result is his story. I agree w/ Jack wear it as is that is as authentic as it gets, the back story different parts put on are all part of it's history. When you have real thing no need to go crazy making it dead on you are already there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robspring81 Posted January 4, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2020 I won’t be getting rid of the bezel and bracelet that are one it, but I want to bring it back to how it was meant to look. I think my grandfather would have if he would have had the parts. I think a good replica Bakelite and a River style bracelet with correct end links will make it really look perfect. I appreciate the input, pics to follow when it’s done ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 Try to find a genuine 5.3mm Brevet crown.6mm for this one. Just like my 6536/1. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
508-Fanatic Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 What a marvelous piece of history and longevity. I love seeing Rolex tool watches "in the wild" being useful, as they were designed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robspring81 Posted January 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 Thank you, I agree. I never knew how special this watch was watching my grandad wear it when I was young. He wore it as his “daily driver” so to speak for 50 years plus. I’m lucky to own it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hologramet Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 6mm for this one. Just like my 6536/1. Sorry, you were right. They charges to 5.3 when introducing the cornino. Anyways.. I have a NOS 24-6000 tube lying around Skickat från min iPhone med Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 I made the same mistake when I found the Brevet crown for my 6536/1. It arrived and it looked too small. Sure 'nuff it was supposed to be 6mm. I did the research and convinced myself a Brevet was appropriate for an early 1958 Submariner, so you'd think it's also appropriate for a 1958 GMT and shouldn't look at all out of place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robspring81 Posted January 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2020 Can anyone help identify the current bezel I have on the watch? Installed in the 70s , looks like a Turnograph? But , the no “30” at the 6 o’clock position I haven’t seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hologramet Posted January 7, 2020 Report Share Posted January 7, 2020 Can anyone help identify the current bezel I have on the watch? Installed in the 70s , looks like a Turnograph? But , the no “30” at the 6 o’clock position I haven’t seen.Youre right about the 30 missing... Ask on VintageRolexForum...Skickat från min iPhone med Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted January 7, 2020 Report Share Posted January 7, 2020 It's not a Turn-O-Graph, the shape of the knurling is wrong and the tic marks on the insert would be small oblongs instead of short bars. I think you've got a Hamazawa Le Gant bezel there from the 70s QS (QuickSet) version. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtools Posted January 8, 2020 Report Share Posted January 8, 2020 Wow! Nanuq knows his watches! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robspring81 Posted January 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2020 Whoa! Very impressed... that lines up year wise when he had it installed too. Thank you!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hologramet Posted January 8, 2020 Report Share Posted January 8, 2020 Acceptable price:https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F153780832068You’re not geting robbed especislly considering condition..Skickat från min iPhone med Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandsUpDontShoot Posted January 8, 2020 Report Share Posted January 8, 2020 Lovely story; enjoy the watch. I hope it makes you think of your grandfather every time you wear it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robspring81 Posted January 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 I’m somewhat starting my search for a bracelet. The info I see is that the best bracelet is a 7206 with 80 end links. 58 end links will work, and a 6636 bracelet would be appropriate as well. Both of those tend to be 2-3k from what I’ve seen online. Any other recommendations? Maybe some that aren’t so pricey that will fit? I see some of the more current Oyster bracelets that are non Rivet and not vintage that are more reasonable. Other thought is maybe put a black Everest band on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtools Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 rubyswatches makes a good reproduction 7206 bracelet http://www.rubyswatch.com/products/k6-1-|-rivet-bracelet-|-7206-|-80-endlink-1880 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robspring81 Posted January 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 I can’t figure out how to create an account and login to view their bracelets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtools Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 Passward sent. Sorry, I thought a direct link would work without having to log in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robspring81 Posted January 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 Solid thanks mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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