62 Rolex Valuable and Fine, Explorer, Automatic Wristwatch, in Steel, Black Gilt “Underline” Dial, Reference 5500

Estimate: € 7.000 –⁠ 14.000

The Explorer history dates back to the references 6098 and 6150 in 1952, followed by the 6610 three years later. The 5500 is not a reference of an Explorer family, in fact, clearly identifiable as an Explorer with its 3-6-9 dial, the present reference 5500 is a transformed Air King model with a 34 mm case instead of the usual 36 mm. The DNA of the history of the model is undeniably present, but is a bit reinterpreted with a smaller twist, noticeable especially in its perfect stainless steel case and by its dial design, with the black-gilt configuration, preserved in immaculate condition and with an important feature: the presence of an “underline” slightly below the “Super Precision” designation at 6 o’clock.