$5,750
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date, “Explorer II”, Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified, Ref. 1655. Production of this reference started in the 1970’s.Fine, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel gentleman’s wristwatch with a stainless steel Oyster bracelet. three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, steel bezel graduated in 24 hours, crystal with “Cyclops” lens. black with tritium-coated triangular and bâton indexes, aperture for the date. “Skeleton” tritium-coated hands, the orange arrow is to indicate the diurnal and nocturnal hours according to the 24 hours graduated bezel. Cal. 1570 rhodium-plated, 26 jewels, lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock-absorber, self-cmpensating Breguet balance-spring.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 39 mm. Notes The “Explorer II” model, dates back to the 1970’s and is called “The Steve Mc Queen watch” by collectors. Created for speleologists, the additional orange hand helps the user to distinguish the nocturnal from the diurnal hours. This model remained in the Rolex catalogues until 1982. From 1983 to 1988, the reference 16550 was available with a white or black dial.Similar watches are published in “Collecting Rolex Wristwatches”, New Edition, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Guido Mondani Editore, Genova, 2001, pp. 347,348,373.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2001-09-20
