163 Rolex Sought-After and Important Explorer Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, Reference 5504, With Black Gilt Dial

Estimate: € 12,500 –⁠ 25,000

Sold € 19,500

Model: Explorer
Reference: 5504
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1957
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 1530
Case N°: 281870
Dimensions: 34 mm
Signed: Dial, movement and case

During the early days of the Explorer, launched in 1953, Rolex was unsure of the model's potential and for this reason the Explorer name was affixed to a number of watches not immediately recognizable as Explorer. Equipped on the reference 5504 usually applied to the Air-King, was chosen the so called Explorer dial that could have two variants: the “Precision” and the “Super Precision”. This second version is the one equipped on the present lot, remarkable for its quality and beauty. As one of Rolex's most popular sports watches, the Explorer is easily recognizable by its black dial with the luminous triangle at 12, luminous Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock and luminous baton numerals for the remaining hours. This example features a beautiful black dial equipped on a three body stainless steel case with screw back finely preserved. The aging of the radium is defiantly fascinating gaining a brown color capable of striking the passionates and surprise the neophytes, a true magical piece for any collection.