95th Auction
2017/5/6
Lot 340
Rolex "Oyster Perpetual Date Explorer II Superlative Chronometer officially certified", Case No. 9550795, Ref. 16550, Cal. 3085, 39 mm, circa 1986
A gentleman's automatic wristwatch with a rare cream-coloured dial - so called: "Ivory Dial Explorer II" or "Panna Dial"
Case: steel, screw back ref. 16550, "Twinlock" winding crown, Rolex buckle. Dial: cream-coloured "Rail Dial", applied luminous indexes, centre seconds, central red luminous 24h hand, date indicator, luminous Mercedes hands. Movm.: rotorwind movement, Glucydur balance.
Since its introduction the Explorer II reference 16550 with stepped 24-hour bezel and a large luminous arrow has certainly lived up to its name - it was part of the standard equipment of several highly challenging expeditions late in the 20th century, such as the GEOMAG North expedition.
The Explorer II models - particularly those with white dials from the three year pre-r series - have become favourites among collectors of Rolex sports watches. Due to a flaw in the colour used for the dials, they began to darken somewhat with time, many of them developing a striking patina; hues are ivory, pale beige or even cream such as this piece. Its Italian fans have lovingly named it the "panna dial".
A gentleman's automatic wristwatch with a rare cream-coloured dial - so called: "Ivory Dial Explorer II" or "Panna Dial"
Case: steel, screw back ref. 16550, "Twinlock" winding crown, Rolex buckle. Dial: cream-coloured "Rail Dial", applied luminous indexes, centre seconds, central red luminous 24h hand, date indicator, luminous Mercedes hands. Movm.: rotorwind movement, Glucydur balance.
Since its introduction the Explorer II reference 16550 with stepped 24-hour bezel and a large luminous arrow has certainly lived up to its name - it was part of the standard equipment of several highly challenging expeditions late in the 20th century, such as the GEOMAG North expedition.
The Explorer II models - particularly those with white dials from the three year pre-r series - have become favourites among collectors of Rolex sports watches. Due to a flaw in the colour used for the dials, they began to darken somewhat with time, many of them developing a striking patina; hues are ivory, pale beige or even cream such as this piece. Its Italian fans have lovingly named it the "panna dial".
Sold
estimated
11.000—16.000 €
Price realized
13.100 €