Vintage watch experience 古董手錶: Rolex ref 6610 Explorer 1 Gilt dial

Besides the Rolex Bubbleback series, Prince series and Datejust series, the Explorer series are also one of my favourite as it has the Sporty look reinforced in the Dress watch format. The Rolex Explorer reference 6610 is one of the early Explorer models, and a favorite among collectors. Originally introduced in 1959, it replaced the reference ref 6150 that was using the bubbleback movement.

The 6610 is made of stainless steel, the water-resistant case measures about 36 millimeters in diameter. Being an earlier Rolex model, the case is waterproof up to 50 meters. It accomplishes this through Rolex Oyster technology, which utilizes a screw down crown and caseback. As it is without the Date function, the overall design is well balance and timeless.

Rolex Explorer The official 3-6-9 in Black dial :

There are several versions of Rolex watches with the 3:6:9 markers on dial in the dressed watch format. Rolex officially rolled out the black “3-6-9” dial with refs. 6150 and 6350 – the successors of the 6098 and 6298. Both the references used the A296 “big bubbleback” movement and the Ovettone cases.

The inverted triangle at the top of the dial, printed Rolex text and coronet and the painted 3-6-9 numerals. The addition of Mercedes-pattern hands also came with refs. 6150 and 6350, although there were watches that were fitted with “pencil” hands, like those seen on the ref. 6204/5 Submariner too. The only difference between these two models was that the ref 6150 was designated “Precision” and the ref 6350 was chronometer rated and stamped with the words “Officially Certified Chronometer” (OCC). There are many reconditioned dial for the 6350 in honeycomb dial and collector must be careful.

Both references used the same movement but the OCCs were fine-tuned and better QC to better precision. The 6350 was also the first reference to bear the mighty moniker — Explorer.

The original 6610 has a gilt dial marked by gold text, chapter ring dial, and Mercedes hands. Aside from the rare albino dial, the 6610 dial is typically black, finished with a lacquer coating, and sports luminous baton markers and Arabic numbers and the Rolex explorer has evolved to be part of the “sports collection”. The 6610’s calibre 1030 was a lot slimmer than its bubbleback predecessors and so a new case design was produced that was still well-proportioned at 36mm with a 20mm lug width. The slimmer movement meant that a flatter caseback could be fitted to the watch and it was this shape that became the standard for many years to come.

The Rolex 6610 was produced from 1956- 1963 before it was replaced by the reference 1016. Though quite similar in appearance, the Rolex reference 1016 uses the caliber 1560 movement and has an increased waterproof depth from 50 meters to 100 meters, as the Oyster case saw continued refinement. In addition, the Rolex 6610 has OCC Officially Certified Chronometer.

This is my second Rolex 6610. I couldn’t resist in getting it as the condition is good for an old vintage watch plus it has a nice gilt dial. The watch is highly accurate for a 60+ years old watch. I shall look for an old Rolex metal rivet bracelet to match with the watch.

Latest update :

The Rolex Explorer 1 references bridge the gap between a dress watch and a sports watch. Without the crown guards and rotating bezels commonly found on sports models offered by Rolex, the Explorer 1, therefore, has a cleaner, sleeker profile while incorporating recognizable sport model features into the dial. The highly visible block indices, luminescent numerals at the 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, and 9 o'clock positions, and Submariner style triangle at the 12 o'clock position allow for readability under any conditions. The Submariner hands featured on the Ref. 6610 add to the unique feel and appearance.

I have finally found an old but fully restored vintage Rolex 7206 rivet bracelet for the Rolex ref 6610. The metal bracelet in my opinion is very suitable for summer use.