102nd Auction
2020/6/29
Lot 294
Rolex, Swiss, "Oyster Perpetual Date Explorer II Superlative Chronometer officially certified", Movement No. 1491322, Case No. 9069842, Ref. 16550, Cal. 3085, 39 mm, circa 1985
An automatic wristwatch with a rare cream-coloured dial - so called: "Ivory Dial Explorer II" or "Panna Dial" with original box, original punched certificate and two booklets
Case: steel, screw back ref. 16550, "Twinlock" winding crown, steel "Jubilee" bracelet Ref. 62510H with GMT marking (50), endlinks stamped 502, clasp I8, bracelet length 150 mm, total length 185 mm. Dial: cream-coloured "Rail Dial" (beautiful patinated), applied luminous indexes, centre seconds, central red luminous 24h hand, date indicator, beautiful patinated luminous Mercedes hands.
Since its introduction the Explorer II reference 16550 with stepped 24-hour bezel and a large luminous arrow has certainly lived up to its name - it was part of the standard equipment of several highly challenging expeditions late in the 20th century, such as the GEOMAG North expedition.
The Explorer II models - particularly those with white dials from the three year pre-r series - have become favourites among collectors of Rolex sports watches. Due to a flaw in the colour used for the dials, they began to darken somewhat with time, many of them developing a striking patina; hues are ivory, pale beige or even cream such as this piece. Its Italian fans have lovingly named it the "panna dial".
An automatic wristwatch with a rare cream-coloured dial - so called: "Ivory Dial Explorer II" or "Panna Dial" with original box, original punched certificate and two booklets
Case: steel, screw back ref. 16550, "Twinlock" winding crown, steel "Jubilee" bracelet Ref. 62510H with GMT marking (50), endlinks stamped 502, clasp I8, bracelet length 150 mm, total length 185 mm. Dial: cream-coloured "Rail Dial" (beautiful patinated), applied luminous indexes, centre seconds, central red luminous 24h hand, date indicator, beautiful patinated luminous Mercedes hands.
Since its introduction the Explorer II reference 16550 with stepped 24-hour bezel and a large luminous arrow has certainly lived up to its name - it was part of the standard equipment of several highly challenging expeditions late in the 20th century, such as the GEOMAG North expedition.
The Explorer II models - particularly those with white dials from the three year pre-r series - have become favourites among collectors of Rolex sports watches. Due to a flaw in the colour used for the dials, they began to darken somewhat with time, many of them developing a striking patina; hues are ivory, pale beige or even cream such as this piece. Its Italian fans have lovingly named it the "panna dial".
Sold
estimated
14.000—18.000 €
Price realized
18.400 €