Live Auction 1395Important Watches
Rolex. A rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, 24 hour hand, bracelet, ivory-coloured "rail" dial, original guarantee and box
Lot 171

Rolex. A rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, 24 hour hand, bracelet, ivory-coloured "rail" dial, original guarantee and box

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE, EXPLORER II, REF. 16550, MOVEMENT NO. 1'078'301, CASE NO. R383041, MANUFACTURED IN 1987

Closed13 May 2013

Price Realised

CHF 22,500

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Rolex. A rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, 24 hour hand, bracelet, ivory-coloured "rail" dial, original guarantee and box
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Date, Explorer II, ref. 16550, movement no. 1'078'301, case no. R383041, manufactured in 1987
Cal. 3085 automatic movement, 27 jewels, ivory-coloured dial, luminous dot, baton and dagger numerals, white gold luminous mercedes hands, sweep centre seconds, magnified window for date, central luminous 24 hour hand, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, screw back , screw down crown, bezel calibrated for 24 hours, stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, case, dial and movement signed
40 mm. diam.

Specialist note

With Rolex original guarantee dated 13 Feb 1988 and stamped Hour Glass, original fitted green presentation box and outer packaging.

The present Explorer II model is from the very first series of reference 16550, introduced into the market in 1985 and replacing reference 1655. It features the much sought after ivory dial, also called "rail dial". The name is derived from the warm ivory-colour of the dial in conjunction with the symmetric division of the two lines below the centre: "Superlative" and "Officially" to the left, clearly separated by a vertical space (thus "rail"), and "Chronometer" and "Certified" to the right.

The "ivory" or "rail" Explorer II models were produced in a very small series only and are considered highly collectable in today's market.