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Why it's legendary: Founded by Hans Wilsdorf, Rolex is renowned for many firsts. In the 1920s, the brand created the first truly water- resistant watch, and later a Rolex descended to the deepest part of the oceans, the Mariana Trench—twice. A Rolex was the first timepiece to ascend Mount Everest, on the wrist of Sir Edmund Hillary in the 1950s, and the company has achieved many other historical and technical breakthroughs as well. Origins: The Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master was introduced in 1955 in cooperation with Pan Am, under the leadership of aviation pioneer Juan Trippe. The original timepiece was designed to help pilots who were traveling across time zones with increasing frequency as the passen- ger airline industry f lourished. Famous face: In the 1964 James Bond movie Goldfinger, Pussy Galore (played by British beauty Honor Blackman) was a daredevil pilot who wore a man's Rolex GMT-Master, making a bold cultural statement for both women and the brand. Turning point: Reintroduced as the GMT-Master II in 2005, the watch featured a rotating 24 -hour graduated bezel to display three different time zones. The new version also included two-tone bezels made from high-tech ceramic. Details: Stainless steel, 40mm case, rotating black and blue ceramic bezel, 24 -hour hand, independently adjustable 12-hour hand, Oysterlock bracelet. Price: $8,950 Where to buy: Sidney Thomas J e welers, The Shops at the Prudential Center, 617-262- 0935; rolex.com For more watch features and expanded coverage, go to boston common-magazine.com/watches. R O l e x O y s T e R P e R P e T u a l G M T - M a s T e R I I styling by terry lewis bostoncommon-magazine.com 115