884
Rolex
Ref. 16550
Explorer II
A fine and rare stainless steel wristwatch with sweep center seconds, date, 24-Hour indication, “cream’ dial, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
- Estimate
- HK$120,000 - 200,000€13,700 - 22,800$15,400 - 25,600
HK$212,500
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1988
- Reference No
- 16550
- Movement No
- 2’102’500
- Case No
- R571’988
- Model Name
- Explorer II
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 3035, 27 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped 78360, endlinks stamped 501, max length 190mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped "L10"
- Dimensions
- 40mm Diameter
- Signed
- Dial, case, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Further accompanied by Rolex Guarantee stamped Siow Hiap PTE LTD Singapore dated 20th May 1988, instruction manual, hang tag, 1988-1989 calendar card, green wallet, outer packaging and fitted presentation box
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The Rolex Explorer II in white dial is one of the most collectible variants of the reference due to its natural patina developed over time with a random prediction of the tone and graduation. Introduced in 1985, the reference was only produced for a few years until it was succeeded by the ref. 16750. Early examples of the ref. 16550 were fitted with applied white gold luminous indexes with later examples fitted with the same dial variation as its latter reference featuring black applied indexes and coordinating black luminous hands.
The present example produced in 1988 belongs to one of the later examples of the reference with a beautiful and uniformed cream hue developed through age. Furthermore, it is complete with the full set of accessories that came with the watch when it was purchased by the original owner.
The present example produced in 1988 belongs to one of the later examples of the reference with a beautiful and uniformed cream hue developed through age. Furthermore, it is complete with the full set of accessories that came with the watch when it was purchased by the original owner.
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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