once this item comes back in stock
| Manufacturer: | Rolex |
| Item Number: | 162250 |
| Condition: | Excellent |
| Model Name/Number: | Oyster Perpetual "Explorer" Precision Ref. 5501 |
| Serial: | 846XXX |
| Year: | Circa 1963 |
| Gender: | Men's |
| Movement: | Automatic 1520 |
| Case: | 34mm stainless steel & 18k yellow gold w/ fluted bezel and acrylic crystal. Inside caseback stamped "5501" and "III.62". Reference and serial numbers are visible. Caseback engraved "JOHN D. SPENCE GRADUATION 1964" |
| Dial: | Silver "Bulls Eye" w/ 18k yellow gold Index hour markers, Tritium hands and lume plots |
| Bracelet: | Complimentary Italian leather strap (other strap options available at no cost to customer) |
| Box & Papers: | Rolex box and Rolex papers dated 05/1964 |
| Warranty: | This pre-owned Rolex comes with Bob's Watches one year warranty |
| Return Policy: | If not 100% satisfied, return watch in 3 days for a full refund. Terms. |
Vintage Rolex Condition Examination:
This vintage OP Explorer is in great overall vintage condition. The case is in good condition with normal signs of wear. The gold fluted bezel has remained sharp. The caseback has a personal engraving, "John D. Spence Graduation 1964." The dial is in great condition with light patina. The lume on the dial has developed patina and aged to a lovely yellow/beige color. The hands have developed patina and the lume in the hands is matching in color to the lume on the dial; some of the lume is missing in the hands.
Description: Rolex "Explorer" 5501
Pre-owned Rolex Explorer ref. 5501 (circa 1963) checks all the right boxes when searching for a collection-worthy vintage luxury watch. It has provenance, a unique design set, and a curious history because it shares a reference number with another Rolex model from the same era, the Air-King. These unique reference 5501 watches emblazoned with the Explorer name were likely produced for the Canadian market. The watch we have here, which comes to us straight from the family of the original family, is accompanied by papers from a retailer in Canada that show British Columbia (BC). It was a sentimental timepiece gifted to the original owner as a graduation gift, as noted on the case back with the engraving, "JOHN D. SPENCE GRADUATION 1964."
It isn't very often we see variations like this two-tone vintage Rolex Explorer 5501. The "bull's eye," or "Tuxedo," dial with two different finishes on the dial is decorated with older-style indices topped with lume and Rolex's famous vintage Alpha hands. This Rolex was initially developed for men, but we can see this model on a lady's wrist with its modest 34mm case and timeless two-tone finish.
* All Pre-Owned Rolex watches are guaranteed to be 100% genuine and certified authentic. Certificates are issued by WatchCSA, the industry's leading independent authority on watch authentication. WatchCSA Certified Pre-Owned certificates are provided for an additional fee at checkout. All watches are shipped to fit the average size wrist (7 1/4" - 7 1/2" for men and 6 1/4" - 6 1/2" for women). Additional links can be purchased if needed. Note that "B&P" means "box and papers" where stated.
Each order is ready for shipment within one (1) business day after the order is approved and processed. All watch orders are shipped FedEx overnight and are fully insured at no charge to the customer. Please be advised that for any deliveries from Bob's Watches, a recipient aged 21 years or older must be present to provide a signature upon receipt of the package.
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The watch was perfect condition and matched the picture. My watch looks new and works like a Rolex. Bob’s delivered within 48 hours and the entire process was easy and smooth. I have ordered two watches from Bob’s and I’m very satisfied.