Timeless Beauty: Spectacular Wristwat...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Oct 24, 2004

LOT 38

?North Geomag Pole? Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Date, "Explorer II", Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, Ref. 16550. Manufactured in 1986. Fine and rare, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, two time-zone, stainless steel gentleman,s wristwatch with ivory- colored dial and a stainless steel Oyster bracelet.

CHF 25,000 - 30,000

EUR 16,000 - 20,000 / USD 20,000 - 25,000

Sold: CHF 27,600

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, graduated 24-hour bezel, "Twinlock" winding-crown protected by the "Crown Guard", sapphire crystal with "cyclops" lens. D. Off-white with applied tritium-coated round, triangular and bâton indexes, aperture for the date. Tritium-coated "Skeleton" hands. M. Cal. 3085, rhodium plated, 27 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 39 mm. Height 13 mm. Approx. overall length 200 mm.Engraved on the case back: "North Geomag Pole 87 - C.B."


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

The "Explorer II" model, Ref. 1655, dates back to the 1970s and is called by collectors the ?Steve Mc Queen?. The present lot is of great historical importance, being the actual watch worn by explorer Carlo Bondavalli during his famous 1987 expedition to the Geomagnetic Pole. The Bondavalli expedition was instrumental in obtaining important information about the ecology of the Arctic region.