| Details | ||
| Stock # | SKU17810 | |
| Stock # | 17810 | |
| Model Name | Explorer II | |
| Brand | ||
| Model Ref # | 16550 | |
| Condition | ||
| Gender | Mens | |
| Movement | Automatic | |
| Case | Stainless Steel | |
| Case Shape | Round | |
| Case Size | 40mm diameter | |
| Crystal | ||
| Band / Strap | Bracelet | |
| Dial | Other | |
| Caseback | Solid | |
| Complications |
Date Second Timezone |
|
| Year | 1984 | |
| Additional Information | Cream Rail Dial. | |
| Sold | ||
Description
The Explorer II is somewhat of the dark horse of Rolex sports model watches. The Submariner’s and Daytona’s reputations precede them. The Explorer I is highly stealthy but easily recognizable. The GMT is also a classic. The Explorer II was actually designed for deep cave explorers, and while it’s one of my favorite watches in the whole world, people ask me “what watch are you wearing today” whenever I wear my Explorer II.
Anyway, here is the nicest of all the Explorers – the cream dial and rail dial reference 16550 with all original everything and in mint condition.
Original stainless steel case measures 40mm diameter by 13mm thick. Sapphire crystal (the first Explorer to have a sapphire crystal) and screw down crown (operating perfectly). Rolex Oyster bracelet (reference 93150 with 11 links and flip-lock clasp).
Original automatic winding Rolex Caliber 3085 with 27 jewels and adjusted to 5 positions and temperature. This movement provides 24 hour time (second timezone) by means of the red hand which revolves around the dial once every 24 hours. The 12 hour hand can be moved in one hour increments independently of the red 24 hour hand, thereby allowing the wearer to track a second timezone. The local and 24 hour hands are normally left in synchronization with each other to let the wearer know if it is AM or PM (remember this watch was designed for cave explorers who may lose track of day or nighttime). The movement is a C.O.S.C. Certified Chronometer.
The dial is very nice and all original of course. The originally white dial is now fading to an even cream color and will continue to darken. The hour markers and hands have an even patina also. Note the text:
Superlative Chronometer
Officially Certified
and how the space between the two words in each line of text lines up vertically – the definition of a “rail” dial. The reference 16550 has metal surrounding the hour markers. On the later and much more heavily produced (and current) reference 16570, the metal surrounding the hour markers and the watch hands are painted black.
The serial number of this watch: 8424XXX dates production to 1984.
This is a rare and collectable – and very wearable – vintage Rolex sports watch.
Anyway, here is the nicest of all the Explorers – the cream dial and rail dial reference 16550 with all original everything and in mint condition.
Original stainless steel case measures 40mm diameter by 13mm thick. Sapphire crystal (the first Explorer to have a sapphire crystal) and screw down crown (operating perfectly). Rolex Oyster bracelet (reference 93150 with 11 links and flip-lock clasp).
Original automatic winding Rolex Caliber 3085 with 27 jewels and adjusted to 5 positions and temperature. This movement provides 24 hour time (second timezone) by means of the red hand which revolves around the dial once every 24 hours. The 12 hour hand can be moved in one hour increments independently of the red 24 hour hand, thereby allowing the wearer to track a second timezone. The local and 24 hour hands are normally left in synchronization with each other to let the wearer know if it is AM or PM (remember this watch was designed for cave explorers who may lose track of day or nighttime). The movement is a C.O.S.C. Certified Chronometer.
The dial is very nice and all original of course. The originally white dial is now fading to an even cream color and will continue to darken. The hour markers and hands have an even patina also. Note the text:
Superlative Chronometer
Officially Certified
and how the space between the two words in each line of text lines up vertically – the definition of a “rail” dial. The reference 16550 has metal surrounding the hour markers. On the later and much more heavily produced (and current) reference 16570, the metal surrounding the hour markers and the watch hands are painted black.
The serial number of this watch: 8424XXX dates production to 1984.
This is a rare and collectable – and very wearable – vintage Rolex sports watch.
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