{"product_id":"rolex-gmt-master-two-tone-as03622","title":"Rolex GMT Master Two Tone","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy We Love It\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe Rolex GMT-Master Reference 1675 is to many (including the vast majority of us here at Analog\/Shift) the perfect watch. In virtually ever configuration, it wins hearts and minds and is the perfect companion for life's pursuits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis particular example is a bit of an odd duck - the likes of which you're not likely to come across too often. What we have here is, for all intents and purposes, a \u003cem\u003ecompletely modernized\u003c\/em\u003e 1675\/3. Fully restored by Rolex Service Center, this watch features a razor sharp case, flawless service Luminova nipple dial, and a two- tone steel and 18k yellow gold bracelet that is as fresh as they get.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWhile this thing could cause a few turned up noses and ruffled feathers amongst the ranks of the 'untouched or nothing' crowd, we suspect that many an enthusiast will recognize this amazing timepiece for what it really is - a \u003cem\u003enew\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eold\u003c\/em\u003e watch. Near mint, fully functional, without the eye watering price tag that a well worn period example would command. Also absent is the fear of what might happen to its value if you were to clip it on a door jam. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFor the legions of Rolex collectors who pine for the slimmer, drilled lug case profiles of pre-maxi yesteryear but would also look to wear and use their timepiece without concern - this is the stuff dreams are made of!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Story\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBorn of an association with Pan American Air Lines, an airline known in its early days for the rough-and-ready nature of their pilots, the GMT needed to be as rough-and-ready as they were. In turn, each feature of the watch—down to its colorful bezel—was born from need, not aesthetics. Every element that went into it stressed form over function, necessity over adornment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBut something happened that changed the watch industry forever: the Quartz Crisis. Consumers bought quartz watches in droves, and sales of mechanical watches fell drastically. Those Swiss manufactures that adopted the new technology were not always met by success; many went out of business.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eNot so, Rolex. Instead of foundering, the venerable manufacture elected to follow a risky—but ultimately rewarding—strategy. If the other watch companies were falling over themselves to offer the same thing, then Rolex would offer something different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAnd that was… gold. So at a time when the desirability of mechanical watches hit an all-time low, Rolex opted to go \u003cem\u003eupmarket\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand offer more pieces in precious metals, raising prices across the board in the early 1980s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOf course, Rolex had cased dress watches such as the Datejust and Day-Date in gold for decades, and started phasing the metal into its sports lines like the Submariner and GMT as early as the 1960s. But during the quartz crisis, production of gold variants saw an increase in production, particularly on sports watches such as the GMT-Master. Of course, as a stop-gap price point between base steel models and range-topping solid gold variants, Rolex also increased production on models that combined touches of gold to a steel case, and integrated features such a quick-set date and a newly designed glossy dial, which made the GMT both sleeker\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eand\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emore functional.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rolex","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31535980576855,"sku":null,"price":6950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0809\/1255\/products\/MsCHbUTA.jpg?v=1582818209","url":"https:\/\/www.analogshift.com\/products\/rolex-gmt-master-two-tone-as03622","provider":"Analog:Shift","version":"1.0","type":"link"}