1040
Rolex
Ref. 6352
'Pre Explorer' Bubble Back
A rare and large stainless steel wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, white honeycomb 'explorer' dial, bracelet, original guarantee and fitted presentation box
- Estimate
- HK$20,000 - 30,000€2,300 - 3,500$2,500 - 3,700
HK$70,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1954
- Reference No
- 6352
- Movement No
- 11'025
- Case No
- 29'773
- Model Name
- 'Pre Explorer' Bubble Back
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel <em>Rolex Jubilee </em>bracelet, 180 mm. maximum length, end link stamped 55
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel <em>Rolex</em> folding deployant clasp stamped 2.54
- Dimensions
- 35.5 mm. diameter
- Signed
- <em>Case, dial and movement signed </em>
- Accessories
- With <em>Rolex</em> Guarantee dated 12 May 1957, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Reference 6352 is known as the 'Pre Explorer' big bubble back, featuring a pink gold '3-6-9' explorer dial which was first introduced to the market in 1953. The honey comb dial has been preserved in excellent condition over time, and has turned to a warm ivory tone. It is incredibly rare to find honey comb dials in such condition - they are usually heavily tarnished, having reacted with the elements. This watch still features its original Jubilee bracelet, stamped for the second quarter of 1954.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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