The Explorer was launched in 1953 to celebrate the ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. So, as it often happens with Rolex’s most iconic vintage watches, the Explorer as well originated as a tool watch marketed - unsurprisingly - to explorers who would appreciate its strong, waterproof case, highly legible dial and extremely reliable movement.

Introduced in 1955, Rolex’s reference 6610 was a new generation Explorer wristwatch with an updated movement, caliber 1030, which allowed for a flatter case back. This evolution presented a more compact and sleek appearance compared to earlier references fitted with the thicker caliber A296 that required a rounded “bubble back” type case. The Explorer dial has a minimalist appeal: the dial with a “3-6-9” numeral configuration and Mercedes hands is a hymn to legibility and the robust, 36 mm steel Oyster case makes it light, durable and waterproof. Unlike its more common successor ref. 1016, reference 6610 displayed "Officially Certified Chronometer", at the six position, while ref. 1016 would use the “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” designation.

Featuring un unmarred, further original dial which aged with grace highlighting the vintage vibe of the piece, the present watch is an all original, extremely well-preserved example. The case in our opinion was never polished or restored in any way – even its original curved, crystal was never replaced. Fitted with its original and extremely rare, ‘white lollipop’ seconds hand, its luminous dial and hands have aged charismatically to a caramel hue.