Antiquorum Offers Important Rolex GMT-Master with Bathyscaph Trieste Connection


Rolex GMT Master ref. 6542

On Wednesday evening December 8, Antiquorum will offer 365 modern and vintage timepieces at its Manhattan headquarters, including a historically significant Rolex GMT-Master that belonged to Lt. Don Walsh who, along with Jacques Piccard, piloted the bathyscaphe Trieste to the deepest point in the world’s oceans.

This important Rolex GMT-Master, ref. 6542, belonged to U.S. Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh, the Officer-in-Charge of the Navy’s Bathyscaph Trieste. Lieutenant Walsh and Jacques Piccard piloted the Bathyscaph Trieste to the deepest place in the world’s oceans: the Challenger Deep in the Marianas Trench, 200 miles southwest of Guam. The Trieste descended to a depth of 35,800 feet. Subsequent to the dive, in April 1960, Rolex gifted Lieutenant Walsh a Rolex GMT- Master. Also in recognition of his achievement, Lieutenant Walsh was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Navy’s second highest non-combat medal, by President Eisenhower at a ceremony held at The White House in 1960.

Manufactured in 1958, Lieutenant Walsh’s former Rolex GMT-Master is a rare, two time zone, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant wristwatch with date and 24-hour bezel. It is accompanied by the original 1960 letter from Rolex and subsequent complimentary invoice; the book ” Seven Miles Down: The Story of the Bathyscaph Trieste” by Jacques Piccard; an original 1960 copy of Life Magazine featuring the Trieste on the cover; an August 1960 National Geographic magazine with an article on the Trieste dive by Jacques Piccard (in pristine condition); a copy of Don Walsh’s award citation from President Eisenhower; a copy of Walsh’s award citation from the Secretary of the Navy; a copy of the Rolex booklet celebrating the 25th anniversary of the deep dive produced in 1985, and a souvenir photograph of Don Walsh, Jacques Piccard, and the Trieste (all signed by Don Walsh).

The presale estimate $20,000 to $30,000.

Rolex GMT-Master ref. 6542

View the full preview for the December 8 sale at the official Antiquorum Web site.

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