Rolex GMT Master

Though Sheila Scott started flying as a bet, in flying she found the freedom that eluded her on the ground.

Born in Worcester, England, in 1927, Scott (born Sheila Hopkins) served as a nurse during the War. After the intensity of the war years, she drifted from job to job, relationship to relationship, seeking—but not finding—solace in each. A marriage in 1945 ended in divorce six years later.

Though she had found some success as an actress of stage and screen, fulfillment eluded her. Finally, in 1959, she made a bet that would change her life. Sheila Scott, sometime actress, would learn to fly.

She learned on a De Havilland Tiger Moth, and not long afterwards would buy one of her own—a Thruxton Jackarro, a variation with a closed cabin and a wider fuselage. It was in this airplane—painted blue, with silver wings, and named Myth—that she would win her first races. With her commercial license (obtained in the U.S. because she wasn’t able to pass a medical exam in her native England) she ferried passengers throughout the United States.

But that sort of flying, though fulfilling for some, wasn’t enough for Scott. No records could be broken, nor set. She wanted more.

In a Piper Comanche 400 she dubbed Myth Sun Pip, she set fifteen records by flying from London to various European capitals in less than 36 hours.

Finally, in 1966, she set out to break a record Geraldine Mock set two years before: to fly around the world. For this flight she chose to use a Piper Comanche 260, which was fitted with ferry tanks. The name of the plane was, of course, Myth Too.

On May 18, 1966 she set out from London. From the outset her flight was plagued by radio problems and bad weather—including tremendous thunderstorms over the Intertropical Zone of Convergence. Nevertheless, she persisted, arriving—exhausted in both, but proud in spirit—in London on June 20, 1966.

Though she had not beaten Geraldine Mock’s record, she became the first Brit to fly solo around the world.

The watch that she wore during her flight was a Rolex GMT Master Reference 1675, which she referred to in a Rolex ad as “a marvelous watch.”

An aviator like Scott could not have found a better watch. Since its introduction in the 1950s, the GMT Master had become the watch of choice for pilots. Collectors hold a particular reverence for the Reference 1675, known for its long production run (spanning from the late 1950s to the 1980s) as well as its clean good looks.

Indeed, for many collectors (including us) it’s the GMT that they lust after.

This particular 1675, dating from the later end of the model's run, is one of the cleanest we’ve come across, and we’ve seen many. The case boasts strong, sharp lugs, and the patina on the dial is positively mouth-watering. An interesting touch is the bezel, which is black instead of the usually-seen blue and red, a feature that Rolex rolled out in the early 1970s.

That, and the Jubilee bracelet, makes this a GMT a handsome watch that will take you places—maybe even around the world, like Sheila Scott. 

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.