Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: X Hong Kong Friday, July 10, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1991
    Reference No: 16570
    Movement No: 6’353’180
    Case No: X’519’649
    Model Name: Explorer II
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3185, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped "78360", endlinks stamped "501,B", max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped "R8"
    Dimensions: 39mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Further accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped by Zurich Watch Co Ltd, dated 18 April 1993, hang tag, product literature, cardholder and presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex unveiled an updated version of the Explorer II in 1989. The reference 16570 was initially upgraded with the new caliber 3185, such as the present example, and subsequent examples would house the upgraded caliber 3186.

    The present Explorer II is a particularly imposing example with its beautifully aged dial, which has metamorphosed into an ivory-colored tonality — flawlessly exemplified by the present example. The luminous on the hands, indexes, as well on the 24-hour hand has nicely aged with a stunning patina. A very early example of the reference, it furthermore offers with the original guarantee and accessories.

  • Artist Biography

    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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849

Ref. 16570
An attractive and rare stainless steel wristwatch with ‘ivory’ dial, 24-hours indicator, center seconds, date, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 1991
39mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 200,000 
€13,100-21,800
$15,400-25,600

Sold for HK$225,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001

WatchesHK@phillips.com

 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: X

Hong Kong Auction 10 July 2020