Old Blog from March 2017 when I was still stationed in Thailand...
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Rolex 5501 dress watch Explorers reunion
In 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 models not immediately recognizable as Explorers. Today the name and the look are so intimately entwined it seems out of place to apply the name to watches which were so obviously not what we would call 'Explorers'.
There were two distinct variations on the theme and they seem to have been aimed at two distinct markets. The first variation was the so-called 'Air-King' Explorer . The second variation on the theme are 'dress Explorers.' These were standard Oyster Perpetuals in steel or gold with white (or more rarely, black) non - Explorer dials featuring markers and hands, but signed 'Explorer' on the dials. Seen in both date and non-date forms, these watches all seem to have been sold in the North American market. The Explorer Date bears a model number 5700, previously unseen on any other Explorer (the non-date model is a model 5501, 5504, which interestingly is more often seen on Explorers with the standard dial).
It seems that these watches were made in the 1950's or 1960's, when Rolex was unsure of the Explorer's success, and attempted to increase the popularity of the watch by broadening the line. When the mainstream Explorer began to sell, these 'piggyback' models were withdrawn. As a result of its limited production, these models are becoming extremely rare and are presently sought after by collectors.
There were two distinct variations on the theme and they seem to have been aimed at two distinct markets. The first variation was the so-called 'Air-King' Explorer . The second variation on the theme are 'dress Explorers.' These were standard Oyster Perpetuals in steel or gold with white (or more rarely, black) non - Explorer dials featuring markers and hands, but signed 'Explorer' on the dials. Seen in both date and non-date forms, these watches all seem to have been sold in the North American market. The Explorer Date bears a model number 5700, previously unseen on any other Explorer (the non-date model is a model 5501, 5504, which interestingly is more often seen on Explorers with the standard dial).
It seems that these watches were made in the 1950's or 1960's, when Rolex was unsure of the Explorer's success, and attempted to increase the popularity of the watch by broadening the line. When the mainstream Explorer began to sell, these 'piggyback' models were withdrawn. As a result of its limited production, these models are becoming extremely rare and are presently sought after by collectors.
These are two rare version of the ROLEX EXPLORER, which was only produced for the Commonwealth market (Canada, U.K., India Australia) and rarely appears, because few were produced. My two black and white dial Explorers 5501 reunited after separation for 58 years.
Saturday, September 03, 2016
Rolex 5501 Explorer
Rolex 5501 Explorer
This ROLEX watch is commonly referred to as the “Dress Explorer" versus the steel tool watch or sports Explorer as they have a gold bezel and gold winding crown.
The reference 5501 stainless steel ROLEX OYSTER case dates the watch to 1958. As many know the reference 5500 (steel) and 5501 (gold bezel and crown, two-tone) also appear in the ROLEX AIR-KING line of watches from the same era. The EXPLORER versions are much rarer of the two types. The case on this EXPLORER measures 34mm. and houses a butterfly caliber 1530 or 1560 rotor depending on the ages, automatic winding super precision movement. The original raised gold markers and original Dauphine hands with steel sweep second.
My preference for Explorer has always been for the sport model black dial with the 3,6,9 markers. Previously, I will not take a second look on the Dress watch explorer owing to my own prejudices. However, I have come across this rare CANADIAN version ROLEX EXPLORER PRECISION dating to 1958 that captured my attention owing to its black dial and raised 3,6,9 markers as well as the fact that it is a gilt dial plus having the old 1530 butterfly rotor. Recently, I have moved to explore the various diver watches and it's a good feeling to come back to the good old Rolex. This 5501 Explorer will fit in nicely with my other 5500, 1016, 6610, 1655 and 16550. Missing in the pack is the 5504 Explorer I guess...
My preference for Explorer has always been for the sport model black dial with the 3,6,9 markers. Previously, I will not take a second look on the Dress watch explorer owing to my own prejudices. However, I have come across this rare CANADIAN version ROLEX EXPLORER PRECISION dating to 1958 that captured my attention owing to its black dial and raised 3,6,9 markers as well as the fact that it is a gilt dial plus having the old 1530 butterfly rotor. Recently, I have moved to explore the various diver watches and it's a good feeling to come back to the good old Rolex. This 5501 Explorer will fit in nicely with my other 5500, 1016, 6610, 1655 and 16550. Missing in the pack is the 5504 Explorer I guess...
There are two types of 1530 movements with the earlier butterfly movement being more desirable.
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