The Rolex Explorer's iconic 3-6-9 dial design was first experimented with in 1953, but it was not until the release of the reference 6350 that this distinctive dial layout was officially incorporated into Rolex's production models. The key focus behind the 3-6-9 Explorer dial was to maximize legibility, with the hour markers coated in luminescent material for enhanced visibility.

The Explorer lineage traces its origins back to the "Bubbleback" wristwatches of the 1940s, which were renowned for their rugged, solid construction and self-winding capabilities. Pre-Explorer models such as the references 6150, 6098, and 6298 did not yet officially carry the "Explorer" designation on the dial, which Rolex patented in January 1953. It was not until after the successful ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay that Rolex decided to officially print the "Explorer" name on the dial, unveiling the new reference 6350.

While the majority of reference 6350 Explorers were offered with glossy black dials featuring gilt text and a chapter ring, Rolex also produced a small number of variants with a textured "honeycomb" dial. This unique surface treatment gave the dial a matte appearance with a distinctive waffle-like pattern, creating a completely different aesthetic compared to the standard glossy black dial.

The present example is offered in attractive overall condition, boasting an impeccably preserved honeycomb dial. Featuring the correct "Swiss" dial with a chapter ring and gilt text, the radium lume on the indexes has developed a warm, orange hue with very high radium readings. The crown is also period-correct, embossed with a Brevet cross beneath the Rolex coronet.

Adding a personal touch, the caseback of this timepiece was inscribed as a gift from a son named "Norm" to his father in 1955 - a common practice to add meaningful messages and significance to a cherished watch. As a wearable mechanical object, this watch further signifies how timepieces in general can serve as important keepsakes and repositories of memory in years to come.