22nd Jan, 2026 9:30
Rolex – A Rare 1956 GMT Master Automatic Calendar Dual Time Wristwatch with Bakelite Bezel
Reference: 6542
Serial: 212776
Year: 1956
Bezel: Bakelite
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 38mm
Dial: Black, Luminous Mercedes Hands, Centre Seconds Hand, Red Arrow Dual Time Hand
Numerals: Luminous Dot, Luminous Baton Quarters, Minute Track
Crown: Rolex Crown with Swiss Cross
Movement: Rolex Calibre 1035 25-Jewel Automatic Movement, adjusted to Five Positions and Temperature, numbered ‘DN759776’
Complication: Date Aperture with Cyclops Magnifier at three o’clock, Red Arrow Dual Time Hand
Strap: After-Market Jubilee Strap, marked ‘58’
Inner Circumference: Approximately 18.0cm
Buckle: Rolex Stainless Steel Fold-Over Clasp
Box: No
Papers: No
Gross Weight: 92.7 grams
From the personal collection of the Vice President of the British Watch and Clock Makers’ Guild. The vendor previously served as Chairman of the guild on two occasions, and was the Managing Director of In-Time for 28 years until 2009.
This timepiece is the Rolex GMT-Master reference 6542, introduced in 1955 and discontinued in 1959 after a brief four-year production run. Notably, the 6542 reference was the first model to feature the iconic blue and red “Pepsi” bezel and remains the only GMT-Master reference fitted with a Bakelite bezel.
Rolex – A Rare 1956 GMT Master Automatic Calendar Dual Time Wristwatch with Bakelite Bezel
Reference: 6542
Serial: 212776
Year: 1956
Bezel: Bakelite
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 38mm
Dial: Black, Luminous Mercedes Hands, Centre Seconds Hand, Red Arrow Dual Time Hand
Numerals: Luminous Dot, Luminous Baton Quarters, Minute Track
Crown: Rolex Crown with Swiss Cross
Movement: Rolex Calibre 1035 25-Jewel Automatic Movement, adjusted to Five Positions and Temperature, numbered ‘DN759776’
Complication: Date Aperture with Cyclops Magnifier at three o’clock, Red Arrow Dual Time Hand
Strap: After-Market Jubilee Strap, marked ‘58’
Inner Circumference: Approximately 18.0cm
Buckle: Rolex Stainless Steel Fold-Over Clasp
Box: No
Papers: No
Gross Weight: 92.7 grams
ProvenanceFrom the personal collection of the Vice President of the British Watch and Clock Makers’ Guild. The vendor previously served as Chairman of the guild on two occasions, and was the Managing Director of In-Time for 28 years until 2009.
This timepiece is the Rolex GMT-Master reference 6542, introduced in 1955 and discontinued in 1959 after a brief four-year production run. Notably, the 6542 reference was the first model to feature the iconic blue and red “Pepsi” bezel and remains the only GMT-Master reference fitted with a Bakelite bezel.
The watch is currently running, no long-term tests have been performed and accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
A full service is advised on all watches and pocket watches once purchased.
Surface scratches, scuffs and slight dents throughout.
Scratches and scuffs to crystal. Slight internal fractures to crystal, seen most prominently to edge of crystal between two and four o’clock.
Very slight debris to dial, visible under 10x loupe.
Loss of luminosity to dot and baton numerals as well as hands.
Slight discolouration to numerals and hands.
Slight discolouration and debris to date aperture.
Slight discolouration to bezel.
Significant flexibility to bracelet.
Slight debris throughout. Most notably between strap and lugs.
Crown in good working order. Hands and date wheel change as expected. Crown does not quite screw down fully due to debris in the screw threads.
No Box. No Papers.
Note that the online condition report may not mention mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome.
Watches with water-resistant cases may have been opened to examine movements, but no warranties are given regarding their water resistance.
Note that this piece is available to view, and we recommend that you do as that we cannot guarantee the authenticity or originality of individual components, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets, and wrist bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration may have changed the original components. Also, we cannot guarantee the authenticity or originality of any engraving or re-engraving on watch cases, case backs, bracelets, straps, or internal movements.
For your protection, every watch with an estimate over £1,500 is checked against the Watch Register. This is an independent company who hold the world’s largest, most established, international database of lost, stolen, and fake watches, containing data compiled over 35 years – providing Dawsons’ buyers with complete peace of mind.
Auction: Fine Jewellery, Watches & Silver, 22nd Jan, 2026
Please note: This is an online sale only; there are no bidders in the room.
Pay ZERO Bidding Fees
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All lots are sold as seen. The buyer is responsible for satisfying themselves as to the condition of each lot prior to bidding, either by viewing in-person or requesting a condition report.
Dawsons are proud members of the Art Loss Register, so you can buy with confidence.

All items with an upper estimate value equal to or above £1,500 in this catalogue are searched against the ALR database.
Viewing
In person at our saleroom:
Unit 8 Cordwallis Business Park, Clivemont Road, Maidenhead, SL6 7BU
Monday 19th January - 10am-5pm
Tuesday 20th January - 10am-5pm
Wednesday 21st January - 10am-5pm
Please note: Photo ID is required for viewing.
For jewellery and small unbreakable items, within the UK we offer either Royal Mail Special Delivery postage up to £2500 in value, or scheduled courier delivery for values above - please contact us to arrange shipping to your door.
International Buyers: Please contact recommended shippers below:
Mailboxes (MBE): 01628 633336 maidenhead@centres.mbe.uk
Sackville-West: 02080 909988 office@sackvillewest.co.uk
Pack & Send Reading: 0118 958 4498 reading@packsend.co.uk
ThePackengers: 0203 154 4363 hellolondon@thepackengers.com
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