Saw an interesting watch at a pre owned dealer. White dial explorer non 3-6-9?

[Andrejb]

Hey guys. Was at a pre owned dealer the other day and they had what looked like a vintage Rolex oyster. It was a 34mm with patinad white dial, gold plots and hands. But it had the “explorer” title under Rolex.

Has anyone seen this before? Unfortunately I was not able to take a picture but have found just one similar photo online, except the one I saw had a smooth bezel.

Any idea what the story is behind this watch? Was this pre 1016 explorer? It was being sold quite cheap on leather

Cheers




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[bob78h]

I believe that is a 5501 Air King/Explorer.

[Haywood_Milton]

Interesting that you post from Canada, for it is here where such "dress Explorers" seem to turn up / originate more than anywhere, in my experience.

They appear to have been made --- and in Explorer Date form, too --- to capitalise on the Explorer name. Usually fitted with a steel Oyster bracelet, even where the head is bicolour.

They have never yet been commercially very successful, perhaps being seen by some as just a badging exercise of a dress watch, but I have affection for them.

Insta : haywood_milton_rolex

[extermin8tor]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

Interesting that you post from Canada, for it is here where such "dress Explorers" seem to turn up / originate more than anywhere, in my experience.

They appear to have been made --- and in Explorer Date form, too --- to capitalise on the Explorer name. Usually fitted with a steel Oyster bracelet, even where the head is bicolour.

They have never yet been commercially very successful, perhaps being seen by some as just a badging exercise of a dress watch, but I have affection for them.

Insta : haywood_milton_rolex

Are they original Rolex items? when you say they were badging excercises - you mean Rolex was trying to shift oysters quickly, or are they franken watches much like so many South American "Hermes" watches I see.

[Haywood_Milton]

They definitely existed as original Rolex items.

There are also some that have tell-tale notches in one edge of the dial, indicative that this has had some work carried out on it later than in first production. The notch is caused by the tool / jig in which the dial is held while work is done to it.



Whether this work, to those specific watches, was carried out by Rolex in Canada or by third parties is something yet to be proven. What I have noted, however, is that multiple examples from certain, particular case-number batches of these model references may bear the notched dials, making it more likely that they were done at or before supply rather than later, when we might not expect such consistency. Admittedly my sample is not huge or conclusive.

H

[Andrejb]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

They definitely existed as original Rolex items.

There are also some that have tell-tale notches in one edge of the dial, indicative that this has had some work carried out on it later than in first production. The notch is caused by the tool / jig in which the dial is held while work is done to it.



Whether this work, to those specific watches, was carried out by Rolex in Canada or by third parties is something yet to be proven. What I have noted, however, is that multiple examples from certain, particular case-number batches of these model references may bear the notched dials, making it more likely that they were done at or before supply rather than later, when we might not expect such consistency. Admittedly my sample is not huge or conclusive.

H

Great info thank u


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[Nick9]

I have one of these, no date, with box and papers, from 1962. Two tone, with a waffle dial. Larger arrow markers and applied gold numbers at 3, 6 and 9. The lacquer on the dial has deteriorated and taken out some of the text. Even so, one of my favourites. 640XXX serial.

No notch.

Rolex made a number of watches targeted specifically to the Canadian or Commonwealth market, with unique names. Meritus is another one.

[TimeSync]

Hi Haywood. The date model you posted the pic of, may I know the model and year? My father-in-law just showed me one he has exactly like this and I'm gathering what information I can for him. This one is in Canada, so supports your theory. Thanks in advance.

[Nick9]

Hi, TimeSync. You can easily find this by removing the bracelet or strap and looking between the lugs, top and bottom. There are online lists of Rolex serial numbers that will date it within a year or two (not perfect).

Let us know what you find, and it would be great if you could post a picture.

Thanks.

[TimeSync]

Hi Nick9. Thanks for the info, this helps. Here's best pic I have until I get to see the watch for real. I know already the bracelet not original.