$19,200
Explorer II, Ivory Dial Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Date, "Explorer II”, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, Ref. 16550. Made circa 1987. Fine, two time zone, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with date, 24-hour bezel and hand, independently adjustable 12-hour hand and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet. Accompanied by a Guarantee Certificate (now void), an instruction booklet and a service invoice dated April 20, 2007. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, graduated 24-hour bezel, Twinlock winding crown protected by the crown guard, sapphire crystal with cyclops lens. Ivory with applied luminous round, triangular and baton indexes, aperture for the date. Luminous steel skeleton hands. Cal. 3085, rhodium-plated, 27 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws, hack mechanism. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness 13 mm. Notes IIt is believed that as a result of an error during manufacture, instead of the intended white color paint, the paint used by Rolex was ivorycolored. Due to the model's lack of popularity, very few of these watches sold - making them extremely sought after by collectors today. This Reference also came with a black dial and later with a white dial (1986-1988).
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2008-04-17