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1007

Rolex

Ref. 6350

Explorer

A rare and fine stainless steel wristwatch with center seconds and ‘Explorer’ honeycomb dial

Estimate
HK$155,000 - 310,000
€16,700 - 33,400
$19,900 - 39,700
HK$277,200
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Crica 1953
Reference No
6350
Movement No
22’954
Case No
955’899, inside case back stamped IV.53
Model Name
Explorer
Material
Stainless Steel
Calibre
Automatic, ca. H100, 2 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Leather
Clasp/Buckle
Stainless steel buckle
Dimensions
36mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial and movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Catalogue Essay
Officially launched in 1953, the ref. 6350 were offered mostly with a glossy black dial with gilt text and chapter ring. However, Rolex produced in very small quantities another variant featuring a textured surface known as the ‘honeycomb’ dial. Emitting a completely new look compared with its regular counterpart, the honeycomb dials had a matte appearance with a ‘waffle-like’ texture on the surface.

One of the main objective in creating the Explorer was having good dial legibility. Radium was thus applied to the dial, with the iconic '3-6-9' numerals clearly recognizable. Unlike reference 6150, which bore ‘Precision’, reference 6350 was marked ‘Officially Certified Chronometer’, confirming the movement had been subject to stricter timing tests.

The present example ref. 6350 from circa 1953 bearing a 955 thousand serial in between the lugs is offered in attractive overall condition boasting an impeccably well-preserved honeycomb dial. The gold Rolex and signature print is evidently prominent, along with the correct ‘Swiss’ dial with chapter ring, the Radium luminous material on the dial have developed an warm hue with high Radium readings.

Rolex

Swiss | 1905
Founded 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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