Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 11, 2012

LOT 252

ROLEX, REF. 5504 EVEREST, BLACK DIAL Rolex, "Oyster Perpetual, Everest, Super Precision", case No. 370292. Ref. 5504. Made in 1958. Fine and rare, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch.

CHF 12,000 - 16,000

USD 13,000 - 17,000 / EUR 10,000 - 13,000

Sold: CHF 13,750

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, case back engraved II.1958 D. Black with applied Arabic and dart indexes, outer minute/ seconds divisions. Gilt luminous dauphine hands. M. Cal. 1530, rhodium-plated, 25 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance with Microstella regulating screws, shock absorber, self-compensating blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator, ?Butterfl y? rotor. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 13 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-10-01

Good

Patinated

HANDS Original

Notes

Surprisingly, Antiquorum has never sold a reference 5505 Everest at auction before. Known by collectors as the ?Canadian? explorer as it was marketed exclusively for that market alongside reference 5504. This particular example features the gilt indexes and gold crown and a superb black metal gilt dial (the model can also be found with the more common honeycomb dial in either white or black). Contrary to common belief that the Explorer came out to celebrate the climb of the famous mountain by Sir Edmund Hillary, some early Rolex Oysters from the 1930's already sported the word ?Everest? on their dials. Rarely found, an indispensable addition to an Explorer collector