Rolex 6350 Honeycomb

[Glyn]

Hi there
I posted some photos of my explorer last week which you can see in my other thread. I am researching the watch and would appreciate any links to articles or history of this particular watch.

This is from an article online: http://le-monde-edmond.com/in-depth-...6350-explorer/
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Most of the 6350 explorers carried a dial that was a chapter ring, gilt dial and black gloss much like the previous models 6150. The normal 6350 Explorer dial are also very collectible and beautiful (see picture here)*. However Rolex also made several special versions of the 6350 that carried an unusual, rare and textured dial known as the honeycomb version.

One of the first things you notice about the 6350 Explorer – honeycomb is the marvelous dial (see picture below). It is what collectors often refer to as ‘honeycomb’ or guilloche. This specific dial gives the watch a completely different look than other explorers that came after it, like the 6610 (see example here)**. The texture of the dial looks like a waffle and often collectors term this dial ‘waffle dial. There are very few Rolex models which have this dial, perhaps the most famous being the 6541 Milgauss (see example here)*** – however earlier Explorer models like the 6150 and 5500 had them as well.

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I have a few questions if anyone has answers it would be greatly appreciated.

The serial number for my watch is 955863. Without taking the back of the watch off is there anyway of pinning down the year of production?
I understand the 6350 was in production from 1953 - 1960. Is this correct?
Was the honeycomb dial in production for all these years or only for a limited time frame.
Below is another pic of the watch if you haven't seen it. Many thanks in advance for any information you can provide.
Best regards
Glyn

[waspy1]

Check out the vintage rolex forum serial number project. It has a 6350 honeycomb dial explorer listed as being dated to 1953 according to the caseback. The serial number is very close to yours. I would assume that your watch was made then but you won't know exactly even if you have 1953 on the caseback. These can be dated earlier than the actual finish piece due to batch production. In any case, I'd assume it is an early example. I'm not aware that these continued to be manufactured following the release of the 6610 so I wouldn't expect them to be in production till 1960. There is a lot of incorrect information out there regarding years of production of the explorers btw.


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[Glyn]

Cheers Waspy1 will have a look.

[s1im]

This is one in the uk recently, slightly earlier than yours, but can give you an idea on pricing.
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=459185

[Glyn]

Thanks for that very interesting.