According to many experts, during the early days of the Explorer, Rolex was unsure of the model's potential. As a result the Explorer name was affixed to a number of watches not immediately recognizable as Explorers.
There were many Rolex white or cream dial watches with the word Explorer but not having the 3,6,9 dials. There were two distinct variations on the theme and they seem to have been aimed at two distinct markets. The first was the so-called "Air-King" Explorer. This was an Explorer bearing the 5500 model number usually applied to the Air-King, but with an Explorer dial that is marked "Precision" rather than the "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" we would expect to see from the Rolex 1016 (and 6610)
There has been some doubt that these watches are real but with the internet information sharing and the various catalog from Rolex which listed, everyone now accepted the 5500 Explorer now. With this information we think we can validate these as genuine Rolex pieces. In addition, some expert has mentioned that these 5500 Explorer were purchased from N.A.A.F.l. (the British equivalent of the PX) in the middle or far east. However, Ref 5500 Oyster Perpetual models are frequently offered for sale with matte black Explorer dials that are not original to the watch, and are misrepresented as Explorer 5500's. In short, there are many who uses reprinted dial for the normal 5500 Air King.
Catalog below showing the 5500 Rolex Explorer Precision (and not Cumulative officially certified chronometer)
This is my Rolex 5500 Explorer Precision in gilt dial. As mentioned earlier, I have lost an opportunity with a Rolex 5504 Precision Explorer during the late 1990s owing to wrong information given by Rolex Center Singapore. Finally, in 2014, I have managed to find this Rolex 5504 in gilt dial. Even though this is a smaller version 34mm of the Rolex watch, with the metal bracelet, it will fit nicely to any wrist.
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