Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

New York, Sep 30, 2015

LOT 167

ROLEX REF. 16550 EXPLORER II IVORY DIAL STEEL Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Date, "Explorer II," Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, case No. 9720317, Ref. 16550. Made in 1987. Fine, two time zone, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with date, 24-hour bezel and hand, independently adjustable 12-hour hand and a stainless steel Rolex Oysterlock bracelet with deployant clasp. Accompanied by a service box.

USD 10,000 - 15,000

HKD 78,000 - 116,000 / CHF 9,700 - 14,500

Sold: USD 12,500

Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, graduated 24-hour bezel for the second time zone, Twinlock winding crown protected by the crown guard, sapphire crystal with cyclops lens. Ivory-color with applied luminous round, triangular and baton steel indexes, aperture for the date. Luminous steel skeleton hands. Cal. 3085, rhodium-plated, 27 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws, hack mechanism.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Notes

Dial, case and movement signed. DIAM. 40 mm. THICKNESS 13 mm. Approx. overall length 195 mm. ROLEX Reference 16550 was produced only from 1985-1987. This Rail Dial example is one of few known with a pre-R serial number.