Description

The present watch is the Rolex GMT‑Master reference 1675, commonly referred to by collectors as the “Cornino”—a highly sought‑after early execution of Rolex’s iconic dual time zone tool watch. Introduced in 1959 and produced until 1980, the reference 1675 is celebrated for its long production run and the nuanced, detail‑driven variations that emerged across two decades. In the vintage Rolex world, it is precisely these subtle shifts in case profile, dial configuration, and component evolution that define desirability, and this early example stands out for one key reason: its rare “eagle beak” crown guards.

Known as “Cornino” (Italian for “little horn”), this case style is characterized by pointed, beak‑like crown guards that were produced for only a short window—approximately four years from 1959 to 1963—before Rolex transitioned to later, more rounded guard shapes. As a result, Cornino examples have become particularly compelling to collectors, not only for their scarcity but for how distinctly they capture the earliest design language of the 1675.

The black dial adds another layer of appeal, having developed a charming tropical patina over time. This natural aging process—highly prized when even and attractive—lends the watch a unique personality that cannot be replicated, transforming a historically important reference into a singular, one‑off object. Paired with its robust stainless‑steel Oyster case and screw‑down case back, the watch retains the purposeful, travel‑ready identity that made the GMT‑Master a professional standard.

Powering the watch is the Rolex calibre 1575, an automatic movement with 26 jewels, renowned for durability and everyday reliability. The date function and dual time capability remain at the core of the GMT‑Master’s appeal: a practical complication set within a design that has become one of the most recognizable silhouettes in sports watchmaking. Fitted with a stainless‑steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp, this circa‑1960 Cornino 1675 represents an especially appealing intersection of rarity, early production detail, and dial character.

Rolex – bio

Founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, initially as Wilsdorf & Davis Ltd. Renamed Rolex by 1908 and moved its base of operations to Geneva, Switzerland in 1919.  Their success is due to their innovation namely the legendary “Oyster” case – first water resistant watch and their extremely reliable movements.
The most famous models are Datejust, Day-Date, Daytona, Explorer, GMT-Master, Submariner and many more.
The company is owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a family private trust.
One story, never confirmed by Wilsdorf, recounts that the name came from the French words “horlogerie exquise”‘è, meaning “exquisite clockwork”.