Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1957 Reference No: 6610 Movement No: N723’887 Case No: 268’497, case interior stamped I 57 Model Name: Explorer Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1030, 25 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Jubilee bracelet, max overall length 210mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex hang tags
Catalogue Essay
The Explorer was launched in 1953 to celebrate the ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. As with most iconic vintage watches today, the Explorer originated as a tool watch marketed to mountaineers with its strong, durable case and highly legible dial. Introduced in 1955, Rolex’s reference 6610 was a new generation Explorer wristwatch with an updated movement, caliber 1030, which allowed for a flatter case back. The new Explorer presented a more modern and sleek appearance compared to earlier references fitted with the thicker caliber A296 that required a rounded “bubble back” type case. The Explorer dial has a minimalist appeal with a “3-6-9” numeral configuration, housed in a robust, 36 mm Oyster case. Unlike its successor reference 6610 displayed "Officially Certified Chronometer", at the six position, while the reference 1016 would use the “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” designation.
Featuring the Explorer’s classic glossy black, gilt dial with “3-6-9” hour numerals that characterize Rolex’s Explorer models, the present watch is an all original, extremely well-preserved example. The case in our opinion was never polished or restored in any way – even its original curved, crystal was never replaced. Fitted with its original and extremely rare, ‘big white lollipop’ seconds hand, its luminous dial and hands have aged charismatically to a mocha hue. It is furthermore fitted with its factory original Oyster bracelet with matching date code, making it a superb example of a rare and coveted early Explorer reference.
Founded 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.