Unexpected Direction

Rolex unveiled a new GMT-Master II with left side crown and a sportier Air-King

- JONATHAN HO

LEFT-HAND VINTAGE ROLEX watches are not a new phenomenon. As early as 1956, Rolex Submariner Ref. 6536/1 models have been around. Even rarer still are left-handed GMT Master ever becoming available for sale, particularly a ref. 6542. For watch aficionados in the know, the first-generation Rolex GMT Master 6542 bakelite is one of the most collectible Rolex watches in the world. So when one came up for the Phillips Auction in Hong Kong in 2018 and more than doubled estimates, it was not surprising. What was surprising was the unveiling of a novel, unexpected version of the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II.

Unlike Tudor's Pelagius LHD (Left Hand Drive), Rolex has never called it a destro or referred to those models specifically as left-handed models. In fact, a spokesperson for Rolex simply referred to the new GMT-Master II as having it's crown and crown guard on the left side of the watch case, designed for people looking to experience a differently constructed model.