rolex explorer - skeptical?

[HFLO]

hmm.. a little skeptical
>>
ROLEX EXPLORER***9733;Cal.1530

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ref-5500-Mirror-...item4aa45daf3b

[cajunron]

Looks okay to me. Maybe relumed.

[achova]

Neat look to it, but Swiss with T < 25 on either side, is usually associated with the end of the Radium era in the early 1960's. It is often accompanied with an underline in the lower 1/4 of the dial to index the additional text to (e.g. radium dials are modified to note the use of Tritium).

I suppose it's possible that the 5500 was a slow seller and the radium-era dials were still in the system for a few more years. But it is not uncommon for the Airking to be redialed as an Explorer.

A couple threads:

5500 Explorers with underline dials:
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=140343

5500 Explorers
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=131637
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=116510

Orchi on underline dials:
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=80135

[rolex1]

Watch is 100% real, dial is from the 60's and most likely a replacement during an old service by Rolex. Probably the least desirable of the old Explorer One models, and has a case that's had some heavy polishing done to it. Back is pitted-be wary of those little stickers on case backs, even the clear ones do a great job of hiding pitting.
Dial has some crazing around the hands in center, that looks like it's starting to lift--potential to flake off.
Movement doesnt look like it's been serviced, has scattered specks of dust around it and has an all around dingy appearance to it....whoever their watchmaker is I'll stick to using mine.
Crown is incorrect, and should have a '+' under the Rolex logo. Hands should be gilt for this model, and may possibly not even be from explorer.
It's a nice entry level Explorer, it's all Rolex 100% but it's a marriage.

[achova]

The Urul & Skeet book, Vintage Rolex Sports Models indicates the crown should be as shown. I am pretty sure the + sign and/or Brevette was last used in the mid 50's when the patent for the Oyster crown was still in effect.

But agree, the 5500 is not particularly desirable and this watch has lots of questions around it.

[achova]

duplicate post - disregard.

[HFLO]

I might be wrong, but this seller seems often offer (many) 'marriage' piece and that makes me 'skeptical'.
many thks to rolex1 and achova for sharing

[cht]

What's a marriage piece?

Looks like a great watch to me, and a good deal for those who are familiar with them enough to appreciate the detials, unlike an uneducated skeptic.
No offense, I just hate seeing people who know nothing about the watch think it could be fake, when they really just know nothing about the watch.

Feedback is encouraging to me, look at all the various vintage pieces that have sold.

Recent negative feedback was someone was mad the band was smaller on their watch than advertised. (toolbag)

[achova]

Originally Posted by cht

...unlike an uneducated skeptic. No offense, I just hate seeing people who know nothing about the watch think it could be fake, when they really just know nothing about the watch.

Funny post!! You literally made me laugh out-loud!!

I think the skepticism shown is appropriate considering the questions presented. There is a wealth of knowledge here on TRF and also at VRF and the Watchout section is a good place to learn and to share. A couple of us are offering reasonable insight and I for one, love Explorers and know a little about them.

If skepticism remains, it would be prudent to keep the questions coming; check the links above; and the dial archive at VRF - http://vintagerolexforum.info/vrf/dials.html

Happy hunting.

6298 - III.53


1016 - IV.65


1972 1016 + 1018 + 6610 II.56 (refinished dial)


6610 II.56 - note Brevet crown



Omega & 1966 1007 marriage watch = LOL


etc.

[HFLO]

Originally Posted by cht

...No offense, I just hate seeing people who know nothing about the watch think it could be fake, when they really just know nothing about the watch... (toolbag)

No offense, I am here to learn..just pick up this 'vintage love' for abt 2 yrs and TRF is definitely a great place full of very knowledgable people and very very very helpful.

skeptical, because:
* I have never come across a dial with T < 25 on either side (well, only <2yrs into this)
* the same seller once mispresented a pic, and did not correct himself after being contacted, so I do have a little 'reservation'
http://************/showthread.php?t=132048

thks for all who replied and it looks to me that this is 'not a bad' piece

[Subfiend]

I believe this watch is authentic, except it may have a service crystal. In fact, this watch looks like a 5500 explorer that I owned and sold a few years ago. I bought that watch from the family of the original owner in the UK. I did a lot of research at the time to confirm what I had.

My watch had this dial, including the gilt writing, gloss finish, SUPER PRECISION and T

[Subfiend]

Here is my former watch.

[HFLO]

Hi, Subfiend:

appreciate your response.
I notice the position of the word 'swiss' is different on your dial and the one in question, yours seems a line lower :)

thks again to all.

[HFLO]

Originally Posted by achova

But it is not uncommon for the Airking to be redialed as an Explorer.

how to tell if it is or not a Airking redial?

[Subfiend]

Originally Posted by HFLO

Hi, Subfiend:

appreciate your response.
I notice the position of the word 'swiss' is different on your dial and the one in question, yours seems a line lower :)

thks again to all.

I see what you mean. If you are seriously considering this watch, I would ask the seller to send you high resolution photos. Look for the presence of the underline. If it is there AND the underline and T

[Subfiend]

Originally Posted by HFLO

how to tell if it is or not a Airking redial?

All of the 5500s were Air King redials. That's why they share the 5500 model number. A more accurate description would be "a Rolex Ref. No. 5500 with an Explorer dial."

[Subfiend]

One last thing: I am not an expert on underline dials. I owned one briefly, but I had no idea what I had or what it was worth. Study Orchi's post and other posts about underline dials on TRF and VRF to educate yourself. You may find the the T

[cht]

Not sure what all the fuss is about...the seller clearly states that dial may have been refinished.
So what's there to be skeptical about?
Yes, it is missing the underline mark, but it clearly has the t <25 in the correct position.

Subfiend, how can you be certain your watch dial was not redone?
Yours had the underline mark but the t<25 was in q different place than others I have seen.

Yours was also a 1963, do you have pics of the catalog with your dial placement?

this one matches the one in question but with the underline and 1965 though.








I have also seen 1965 explorers without t<25 on each sides.
Check out air king dan's explorer.

There is clearly a LARGE variability in the dials that were made available in this era.
Obsessing over it doesn't seem to make much sense...when you should be able to understand there is such variablity, there are a lot of service dials, redials, and if you are lucky, original dials.