1008
Rolex
Ref. 6610, inside caseback stamped II.56
Explorer
A fine and rare stainless steel wristwatch with center seconds, bracelet and presentation box
- Estimate
- HK$93,000 - 160,000€10,000 - 17,200$11,900 - 20,500
HK$113,400
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1956
- Reference No
- 6610, inside caseback stamped II.56
- Movement No
- DN654’219
- Case No
- 768’395
- Model Name
- Explorer
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1030, 25 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “7206”, endlinks stamped “75”, max length 200mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “1,65”
- Dimensions
- 36mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Rolex fitted presentation box.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The Rolex Explorer was first introduced in 1953 after the successful ascent to Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzig Norgay. Featuring an iconic 3-6-9 dial, the Explorer featured a 36mm diameter Oyster screw-back case. In 1956, Rolex officially released the ref. 6610, with some claiming that the present reference is the first “true” Explorer reference. With an upgraded cal. 1030 replacing its former cal. A296, the new caliber was the firm’s first in-house designed and built caliber and it was chronometer certified.
The present example Rolex Explorer ref. 6610 from circa 1956 is presented in nice overall condition.
The present example Rolex Explorer ref. 6610 from circa 1956 is presented in nice overall condition.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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