Rolex
Rolex
A rare, stunningly beautiful vintage wristwatch with "gilt Explorer dial" Movm. No. 26662, Ref. 5500, Cal. 1530, Case No. 971880, Dimensions 34 mm, circa 1963, Origin Schweiz, Original box, Accessories Case: Steel, screw back with marking 1002 II/63, screwed "Twinlock" winding crown, folded steel "Oyster" bracelet ref. 7835/19 with endlinks stamped 357 and polished centre parts, later clasp B (1977), bracelet length 140 mm, total length 180 mm. Dial: Black, tritium glossy dial, nicely patinated luminous indexes/Arabic numerals and Mercedes hands (probably aftermarket), aftermarket seconds hand. Movm.: Automatic. This attractive vintage watch has a glossy Explorer dial with lacquer coating. The writing was etched into the dial by a special process - it appears gold-coloured and the dials are therefore often identified as "gilt dials". The charmingly aged ivory-coloured luminous indexes and Mercedes hands add to its overall pleasant appeal. Rolex started offering a version of the Air-King reference 5500 with an Explorer dial in the early 1960s. This timepiece combines the Air-King case with the distinctive Explorer dial. Both the Air-King 5500 and the Explorer 5500 have 34 mm cases which are smaller than the traditional 36 mm case of the Explorer ref. 6610 and the Explorer ref. 1016 from the same time period. Case: very good, slightly worn. Dial: very good, hands partially replaced. Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.
Bid on this lot
Rolex
A rare, stunningly beautiful vintage wristwatch with "gilt Explorer dial" Movm. No. 26662, Ref. 5500, Cal. 1530, Case No. 971880, Dimensions 34 mm, circa 1963, Origin Schweiz, Original box, Accessories Case: Steel, screw back with marking 1002 II/63, screwed "Twinlock" winding crown, folded steel "Oyster" bracelet ref. 7835/19 with endlinks stamped 357 and polished centre parts, later clasp B (1977), bracelet length 140 mm, total length 180 mm. Dial: Black, tritium glossy dial, nicely patinated luminous indexes/Arabic numerals and Mercedes hands (probably aftermarket), aftermarket seconds hand. Movm.: Automatic. This attractive vintage watch has a glossy Explorer dial with lacquer coating. The writing was etched into the dial by a special process - it appears gold-coloured and the dials are therefore often identified as "gilt dials". The charmingly aged ivory-coloured luminous indexes and Mercedes hands add to its overall pleasant appeal. Rolex started offering a version of the Air-King reference 5500 with an Explorer dial in the early 1960s. This timepiece combines the Air-King case with the distinctive Explorer dial. Both the Air-King 5500 and the Explorer 5500 have 34 mm cases which are smaller than the traditional 36 mm case of the Explorer ref. 6610 and the Explorer ref. 1016 from the same time period. Case: very good, slightly worn. Dial: very good, hands partially replaced. Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.
