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Meteorite rolex7/5/2023 ![]() Given that the pattern of every sliver of meteorite is different, no two dials will ever be alike, a bonus for those on the hunt for something truly unique. Since then, it has been used in a couple of models, but given Rolex’ highly industrialized manufacture, a meteorite dial requires different handling. Meteorite has been used for decades in jewellery but wasn’t used by Rolex until 2008 when it launched a limited-edition white gold Rolex Daytona with a meteorite dial. Since Widdmanstätten didn’t publish his findings, the discovery of the metal crystal pattern is generally attributed to English mineralogist William Thomson who in 1804, poured nitric acid on a slice of meteorite to remove the patina caused by oxidation and noticed how strange crisscrossing patterns appeared on the surface. In 1808, the Austrian scientist Count Alois von Beckh Widdmanstätten discovered that heating iron meteorites revealed a more intense colour and lustre and revealed the fascinating metal crystal patterns created by the iron and nickel. During its space travels, the molten rock cooled down creating the unique patterns of crystallized iron and nickel that are technically known as “Widdmanstätten patterns” or “Thomson structures”. The Gibeon meteorite probably originated as a piece of molten planet core and travelled through space for millions of years. A slice of the Gibeon meteorite – image by Christie’s As such, considering its size and weight, it has been used to create practically all meteorite dials on the market today. To date, roughly 25 tonnes of fragments have been recovered. Classified as an iron meteorite, the meteorite shattered upon entry scattering more than 26,000 kilos of debris from outer space covering an area of 275km long x 100km wide. Alexander in 1836, the meteorite had been discovered by the Nama people and used to make tools and weapons. The Gibeon meteorite is a bit of a star in the world of meteorites and hurtled through the atmosphere and crashed on Earth in prehistoric times in what is today known as Namibia. Since this 126719BLRO Meteorite is really about the dial, here’s a bit of background on the Gibeon Meteorite, the father of practically all meteorite dials on the market today. The indices and hands are also made from white gold and treated with blue Chromalight. ![]() The rotating bezel is inlaid with red and blue Cerachrom, a slightly duller colour than older models with aluminium bezels. It has a white gold case with a 40mm diameter and a white gold Oyster bracelet. ![]() If we were to remove the meteorite dial, this Rolex GMT-Master II Meteorite would be identical to the white gold Pepsi model we are all familiar with. It also marks the first time that meteorite appears on a GMT-Master II model… and you’ll see at the end of this article how this might be interpreted as an unexpected tribute to a legendary Rolex model! Funnily enough, this GMT-Master II Meteorite could be considered even more exclusive than the steel Pepsi or the Batman because of its original dial made from a slice of meteorite. The Rolex GMT-Master II Meteorite 126719BLRO was presented at Baselworld 2019 as a “minor” launch, alongside the heavyweights of the show that included the Batman with a Jubilee bracelet. ![]()
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