876
Rolex
Ref. 16570
Explorer II
An attractive and rare stainless steel dual-time wristwatch with center seconds, date, 24-hour indication, ivory dial, bracelet and guarantee
- Estimate
- HK$120,000 - 200,000€14,900 - 24,800$15,400 - 25,600
HK$214,200
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1996
- Reference No
- 16570
- Movement No
- 6’223’864
- Case No
- W’925’449
- Model Name
- Explorer II
- Material
- Stainless Steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 3185, 31 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped "78790", max length 195mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 40mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Artland Watch Co., Ltd. Hong Kong dated 27th May 1996.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The Rolex Explorer was given a facelift in 1989 which resulted in the birth of the Explorer II ref. 16570. Initially christened by a new caliber 3185, much like the present example, the later examples of the same reference would house an updated caliber 3186. The Explorer II at hand is a stunningly well-preserved specimen, exhibiting a patinated white dial that has developed through the ravages of time. Along with the dial, the luminous material has also matured and turned into a warm golden colour that sets itself apart from the contemporary ref. 16570. The present ‘ivory dial’ timepiece has been aged to perfection and in addition to its overall excellent conditions, it is accompanied by its original guarantee.
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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