This is a new old stock dial for the Rolex Pre Explorer ref 6298. The dial has been seating under the cupboard of an old watch makers for a log time. I have bought a Rolex 6298 when I was working in Bangkok several years ago in 2017. Unfortunately, the watch dial has been reconditioned in the past and it has taken me 8 years to find a new old stock dial for replacement. Finding a dial is like finding a needle in a haystack where lucky is key.
As a precursor to the iconic Explorer line, the Rolex Reference 6298 was in essence a prototype watch that was used "on the field" by actual explorers doing actual expeditions and mountain climbing. It is often known as Big Bubblebacks or Ovettones owing to the 36mm case size and with 20mm lugs. These were watches that we can place at the pivotal beginnings of the Rolex "Sports" watch - what followed were ever more slender movements and consequently flatter cases, but there is no denying that without these early Everest-era Pre-Explorer watches, the now iconic sports models such as the Rolex ref 6610, ref 1016 would never have come to be.
Even though it is using the semi bubbleback movements, the prices of these are often more then double of that of the Rolex ref 6084/85 which are 34mmin diameter. It’s important to remember that these watches were produced in the 1950s when the average size of a gent’s wristwatch was 32mm. At 36mm the Ovettone’s were big watches and due to the large rounded case back wore high and proud on the wrist! I am so glad that I can finally find a new old stock dial to replace the reconditioned one.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Rolex 6298 Pre Explorer (Semi Bubbleback)
I love the Rolex Explorer model. Over the last weekend, I was lucky to have found a Rolex reference 6298. This model is known by collectors (along with its slightly older sibling the 6098) as the Everest Explorer or Pre-Explorer. These watches were the prototype watches used by explorers in the early 1950s that led to the development of the Explorer line.
This model is also known as Big Semi ‘Bubblebacks’ or ‘Ovettones’. These large case watches (36mm) have a real presence on the wrist and are truly versatile and appealing. The normal bubbleback model size is 33 mm and other semil bubbleback 6084/5 is size 34 mm.
In 1952, the Rolex semi Bubbleback came in models 6098 and 6150 and became the prototypes of the Explorer. The watches had white dials and leaf-shaped hands. In 1953, they became the 6298 and 6350, displaying the famous 3-6-9 Arabic dial which is typical of Explorers. Later, the Mercedes hands were also added. After the Everest expedition of 1953, the name Explorer was inscribed on the dials of the 6350. The watch was made to be especially strong and able to withstand extreme temperatures, as a dangerous mountain climbing adventure would require.
According to Collecting Rolex Wristwatches by Patrizzi, this model 6298 had a production run of less than 1,000 and one wonders how many is still around after so many years? As mentioned, this model was taken on the Everest Expedition in 1953, that was highly promoted by Rolex in magazine ads to show how rugged this watch was
In 1959, Rolex replaced the Explorer 6150 with the 6610, which had a more flattened back than the previous model and has the current 3,6,9, black dial look. Then in 1963, this model was in turn replaced by the 1016. The 1016 was more water resistant than the 6610 and also had a new movement, the Cal. 1560. The 1016 stayed in production for 26 years, in which time it evolved quite a bit from having gilt dial to matt dial and eventually became the 14270, the Explorer in 1971. The history of Rolex Explorer II ref 1655, 16550, like that of the Explorer, are laden with stories of adventure seekers using the Explorer II during their journeys. The Rolex Explorer always bring joy to me...
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