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Rolex Two-Tone Oyster Perpetual Explorer Ref. 5501 (Super Rare) With Gilt Honeycomb Dial | Circa 1961s

Original | Good Condition

BACKGROUND HISTORY:

Rolex Explorer has been one of Rolex's popular and best-selling model sport watch. Historically, the term "Explorer" was first introduced in 1953. It was because of the Mt. Everest expedition performed by Sir Edmund Hillary, New Zealand mountaineer and explorer. He was the first climbers that has confirmed to reach the peak of Mount Everest together with another mountaineer, Tenzing Norgay.

During the expedition, they worn with them white dial Rolex Oyster Perpetual Chronometer. it was not coincidence that the two great mountaineer worn Rolex watches with them, but it was included in their trip. The purpose was because Rolex would like to take this chance to promote its famous patented Rolex "Oyster" case and to proof to the world how good it was. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual worn by them was not yet regarded as Rolex "Explorer" during that time. Only when the expedition had ended, and the white dial Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch returned home with the victory, Rolex decided to build the brand based on the expedition by creating a new series of watch in 36mm but bearing an iconic name "Explorer".

The first reference that bear the name Explorer on the dial is 6350, which was released in 1953. It was also featuring the Arabic numerals at 3,6, and 9 on the dial and larger case size at 36mm. This aesthetics design will become the foundation for the new generation Rolex Explorer going forward be it Rolex Explorer 6150, 6610, 1016, 5500, and so on. Among these series, the longest production will be reference 1016. But, extremely rarest holy grail was the reference 6350, which had a very short production time for about one year. Other characteristics that make it rarest was due to the use checkerboard pattern dial called "Honeycomb", which was only appear in the very early generation of Rolex.

In the late 1950s, Rolex did the cross design on the Rolex Explorer by offering version of Rolex Air-King with an Explorer dial, which being known as Rolex Explorer ref.5500 nowadays. It bear the same 3,6, and 9 Arabic numerals on the dial and stick indexes and the inverted triangle. The "EXPLORER" text was being printed under Rolex logo. The different with other variants of Rolex Explorer in the same era, was the stainless-steel case size was 34mm. It was the same as the Rolex Air-King case size.

During the era of Rolex ref. 5500, Rolex had also experimenting with luxury metal by launching some Rolex Two-Tones that come with gold fluted bezel and crown. One of them is the Rolex ref. 5501. The intention of launching Two-Tones design was to slightly make changes from sportier aesthetic look to more classical design of Rolex Explorer. Hence resulting with the birth of classic style Rolex Explorer ref. 5501. Note that Rolex ref. 5501 was available as both on Explorer and Air-King model. Rolex Explorer Ref. 5501 come with steel case but complemented with 14k-gold fluted bezel.

Rolex Explorer ref. 5501 come with some dial variants, but the rarest ever produced in the market was the one with deep black-colored honeycomb dial. The checkerboard pattern on the dial is unique and absolute true piece of arts. The current example we have here is the rarest Rolex Explorer ref.5501 that come with honeycomb dial. It was like the dial design of holy grail Rolex Milgauss ref. 6541. This example of Explorer ref.5501 come with all dial notation printing in yellow gold ?Gilt? color. It matches perfectly with the raise Arabic 3, 6, and 9 numerals and the rest of sharp pointing hour marker.

Rolex had chosen to equip the Rolex Explorer ref. 5501 with the famous automatic Rolex Cal. 1560. This caliber was famous with its stability and durability, though it was only few years production time. It had been used by other Rolex sport model watches during that era too.

Rolex Explorer Ref. 5501 with the honeycomb dial is currently being high radar of Vintage Rolex collectors nowadays. It was not only due to the fame history of Sir Edmund Hillary in his expedition that lead to the birth of the iconic Rolex Explorer but also with the increasing popularity of collectors to highly appreciate the unique design honeycomb dial of Rolex vintage watches, which never be seen in modern Rolex nowadays. Rolex Explorer ref.5501 with honeycomb dial was suppose not a long production model, hence the chance of seeing one in good working condition and originals are extremely precious.

WHY THIS WATCH & DETAILS

Discussing about the current example of Rolex Explorer ref. 5501 here, it was an extremely rare Two-Tone Rolex Explorer with stunning deep-black honeycomb dial. The existence of honeycomb dial on timepiece complement to the unique characteristics to the Rolex Explorer that originally born with sportier look. But, the use of fluted bezel on iconic Oyster case and crown in 14K gold has blended both the sporty and dressy feel into one roll.

The example of Rolex Explorer ref. 5501 here come with well-preserved and overall in good condition case. The use of Oyster Steel case has further proven the fact that it was design and built to be durable though the timepieces has closed to 6 decades old. The case is 34mm in size, which was smaller and being used for most of the classic watch in that era. It was due to the cross design with Rolex Air-King ref. 5500 with Explorer dial that come with 34mm case as well. Rolex Air-King in that era come with 34mm case size.

The case has come with some surface scratches throughout the body, which is common due to the usage and age. Some nicks and dents are seen along the circular area on the brush polished back of the case near to the edge of the coin-edge case back. IMHO, the case condition seems unpolished before. The lugs are still preserved good and thick enough, which mean it has no over polishing by previous owner or might be unpolished before. The reference and serial number are still crisp between the lugs. There is a light engraving on the caseback that reads "APD".

The bezel is fluted design and made from thick 14K yellow gold and currently the condition is good with some light nicks and dents on it. Overall, the bezel is well preserved.

As mentioned above, this example of Rolex Explorer ref. 5501 come with extremely rare honeycomb dial. This style of dial design had been famous with the rest of holy grail in sport series such as Rolex Milgauss 6541 and Rolex Explorer 6350. The checkerboard pattern on the dial is mesmerizing. Viewing closely under the loupe, it was a total enjoyment and "healing" to see the uniqueness of the pattern. All of notations are printed in yellow gold color or "Gilt", which match perfectly with the indexes markers, handsets, fluted bezel and crown. The gold raised arrow look-alike hour indexes together with the iconic Explorer 3,6, and 9 Arabic numerals are in good condition, but they have turned into darker color consistently due to aging. The dauphine style handset has turned into the same color as the dial indexes, which perfectly match with each other. The luminous on the hands has aged consistently with similar color as the luminous plots on the dial that currently still seen though each of them are lightly remained condition. Overall, the dial condition Is preserved great with some naturally formed discoloration on it. However, these complement to the actual look and feel of Vintage timepiece.

Beating inside the Rolex Explorer ref. 5501 is the venerable automatic Rolex Cal. 1560. This caliber had been around since 1959 and being used for about 6 years till 1965. Cal. 1560 is 26 jewels self-winding caliber beating at 18000Bph and it is one of the most robust movement ever produced by Rolex. This caliber is also being used on sport model series such as Rolex Submariner 5512 and Rolex Explorer 1060. The condition of the movement for this current example of Rolex Explorer is currently in good running condition. It is clean and well-preserved.

Rolex Explorer 5501 come with Plexiglass crystal that sit high on above the fluted bezel. This condition of the glass of the current example is very good. There is a nick seen on the edge, but it is not conspicuous. It might already lightly polished before by previous owner.

As for the strap, the example here come with custom made high quality brown leather strap with brown stitching. The strap is brand new. It is a good quality strap as it is soft and flexible. It is also come with generic Rolex gold color buckle. Note: this is a generic buckle and NOT original Rolex buckle.

Overall, the current example of Rolex Explorer ref.5501 here is one of holy grail Rolex timepieces that is currently under high radar of Rolex vintage collectors. The eye-catching deep-black honeycomb dial with gilt Explorer notation is the most unique aesthetics that never seen in any modern Rolex. Even though honeycomb dial had been used in variety of Rolex reference including both classic and sport series, but honeycomb dial that include Explorer notation on the dial was extremely rare seen. IMHO, these were not produced in long time. The holy grail Rolex Explorer 6350 is one of them that nowadays demand steeper sums. Another one is the current example here that birth as the result from the cross design with steel Rolex Air-King 5500, hence it has 34mm case size. The combination of honeycomb dial with gold indexes and gold printing was the one blew us away. The addition of Explorer notation further add the value on the timepiece. Though it supposed to be design as a dressy style watch, but the sportier look of Rolex Explorer are still clearly seen, which make this timepiece look and feel to be both dressy and sporty watch being rolled into one.

Modern Rolex Explorer has been still the remains to be a best-selling sport series timepiece. Though, it has been undergone series of revolution from the dial, handset, movements, and case size, however the original look and feel of the grandfather Rolex Explorer from the past are still inherited till today.

WATCH SPECS

Brand: Rolex

Reference No: Explorer Reference 5501

Production Year: 1961

Case No: 643xxx

Case Material: Stainless Steel and 14K yellow gold

Case Dimensions: 34mm diameter (Without crown)

Case Thickness: 11mm

Lug to Lug Height: 42mm

Lug Width: 19mm

Dial: Deep Black Gilt color honeycomb dial

Crystal: Plexiglass

Lume Material: Yes, Tritium

Movement: Rolex Automatic Caliber 1560

Bezel: Fluted 14K gold bezel

Bracelet/Strap: Custom Made High-quality Brown Leather Strap with generic gold color Rolex buckle.

Box/Papers: No

Warranty:

All of our pre-owned vintage timepieces have gone through thorough physical inspections. We have carefully tested entire functionalities of the timepieces for few days to ensure all of the functions on the watch are working properly before we list them on Ebay. Note: Our shop did not perform any mechanical servicing to the watch.

As this is pre-owned vintage watch, there is no guarantee for the watch being waterproof. Besides, due to their age and usage, vintage watches should not be subjected to have the same conditions as when they were new. Vintage watches deserve to undergo proper servicing and maintenance due to their age in order to preserve the life of the mechanical parts inside the watch. As the history of servicing for vintage watch is usually unclear, we always recommend our buyers to send them for servicing by professional watchmaker.

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Shipment:

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Return Policy:

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We have 100% returns accepted policy. If you are unhappy with the purchase, please contact us within 3 days of receipt to arrange the return. We are watch enthusiast and not an authorized dealer for any company.

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Once the watch arrived at our office, 10 working days will be required for the full watch inspection by our professional watchmaker. After the confirmation that the watch returned to us is in the same condition in which they were delivered to buyers, a full refund will be performed via PayPal back to buyer's account. Kindly not to worry as both buyer and seller will be both protected by Ebay and PayPal.