Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV Hong Kong Monday, November 28, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1955
    Reference No: 6610
    Movement No: 574’909
    Case No: 113’092, stamped I.56 inside caseback
    Model Name: Explorer “Red Depth”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1030, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 175mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp, stamped “1,61”
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Like many classic designs, the Rolex Oyster has gradually evolved over the past decades while strongly adhering to its design DNA. Like many of its peers in the Rolex family, the Explorer has been a constant and a backbone of the brand since its conception in 1953. Released in 1955, the ref. 6610 was a new generation Explorer that replaced the original caliber A296 with an upgraded caliber 1030 and was much slimmer than its “bubble back” predecessors. A flatter case was designed to house the down-sized movement which became the standard for years to come.

    Fully embracing the now-iconic Explorer aesthetic, the dial on the present watch reads “Officially Certified Chronometer”, in place of “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” as seen on ref. 1016 pieces. Featuring a classic black dial with an inverted triangle at 12 o’clock and Arabic numerals on the other three quarters, the present example certainly stands out for its desirable qualities of a 1955 Explorer with red depth ratings adds on to the desirability, Red-depth rating pieces are found between serial number 113'XXX to 114'XXX range based on research.

    The galvanised dial with radium lumes, gilt lettering and minute track have also aged to perfection, through the ravages of time. Fitted with its original elongated Mercedes-pattern gilt hands, it is sufficient to say that this watch is has been well looked after for over six decades.

    Boasting a winning combination of its rarity and excellent overall condition, the present Rolex Explorer ref. 6610 is a treat for all vintage Rolex sports watch enthusiasts.

  • 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.

    View More Works

1055

Ref. 6610
An exceedingly rare, attractive and well-preserved stainless steel wristwatch with “Red Depth” rating, center seconds and bracelet

Circa 1955
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$160,000 - 250,000 
€19,000-29,700
$20,500-32,100

Sold for HK$302,400

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV

28 - 29 November 2022 (Online Registration ends 27 Nov, 2pm HKT)