Rolex ref 5075 (from 1947) big bubbleback 勞力士大泡泡背

This is another version of the big bubbleback ref 5075 with the straight lugs and fully covered bubbleback movement with rose gold bezel. I first saw the watch on fb in March 2020 but it was taken out from the web. This watch was recently being listed again and I immediately went to the shop to check it out.

The Rolex Big bubbleback series leading to the Datejust consists of the following 

Rolex ref 4467 (solid Gold from year 1945-1949)  
Rolex ref 5030 (Solid gold) , Bi colour steel and gold 5031, 5075, 6031 from year 1949 - 1950)，
Rolex ref 6075, 6074 (Bi colour from year 1950 - 1953)
Rolex 6104, 6105 (Bi colour modified A296，from year 1951 - 1953) 
Rolex 6304 , 6305 (A296，from year 1953 - 1956)
Rolex Datejust 6604, 6605, 6609, 1600, 1601,1603, 1607, 1625 (from 1959 - 1977 onwards using Butterfly movement calibre generation features cal. 1065 and later cal. 1565 and 1575.)

I was looking at getting a Rolex 6075 big bubbleback from a seller initially but he was not very friendly and I have decided to give it a pass as 冇緣份· Like what they said, one door shut and another one opened. I am lucky to be able to get a better condition and straight lugs big bubbleback 5075. Really thankful! 

Coming back to the Rolex bubbleback series give me great joy as it has rekindled the special relationship with my hobby. There are many new collectors going after the Rolex sports models but for me, the Bubbleback series (from 1930-50s) an the Prince series (1930s) are the real backbone of the Rolex brand.

我比較喜愛1950年代出嘅勞力士大泡泡背大倌 5030,5031, 5075, 6031 除咗有紅date外,錶殼兩耳中間還是保留橫端,帶住濃厚官財仔嘅味道!

Rolex 6031, 5075, 5031

In its history of "Radium" usage... "Radium" was discovered to be very lethal in its radioactive dosage causing harmful side effects particularly to the Dial painters or those that have been widely exposed to the highly radioactive substance Radium" and such was in this past infamous incident which had previously occurred way back in 1917 (please see link below)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium_Girls

Eventually by late 1950s "Radium" had to be phase out completely and as quickly as possible then by watch producers worldwide. It was later ONLY became compulsory that the usage of "Tritium" with much Milder dosage of radioactivity level(eg. <25 micro Sv/h) be marked accordingly either by adding the plot "T" at 6 o'clock position of the Dials...in later production of watches by Rolex in particular from early 60s. 

As such, some of the Vintage Rolex dials were replaced during service during the 1960s with Tritium lumious instead of the Radium.

It was also during the same Transitional Period soon after the change from "Radium" to "Tritium"...most of the remaining Dials in stocks. that were previously contracted & made by the relevant Rolex's Dial suppliers had to be re-marked or re-printed with the additional "T" or "T<25 variant" plots to indicate the MILD radioactivity usage of of "Tritium" instead of "Radium" on the available Dials which had been Pre-printed with "SWISS" at the 6 o'clock position of ALL the remaining Dials in stocks...believed to be in limited quantities then. (Information from the forum)

Tudor ref 9080/0 (from 1974)

This is a Tudor 9080/0 from the year 1974. What make this collectible is that it is still using the Rolex case, back case, winding crown and bracelets with Rolex wording or logo. Almost every parts are similar to Rolex except the movement. It has a nice shining lacquered gilt like black dial. For those collectors who complained that vintage watches are too small in size can be rest assured as 38mm in size if good enough for anyone..

https://cda.chronomania.net/forum_entry.php?id=62452

Rolex 5701 Explorer with Date

 

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Rolex 5701 dress watch Explorer with date

This is my latest find, a Rolex 5701 dress Explorer made for the Canadian market. The seller has posted an unclear photo and I have to take my chances when bidding for it. Perhaps its due to the poor quality photos that the prices bid were not high.

Luckily, the watch turned up to be with the rare black dial, which require some TLC. There are scratches across the crystal which I think the scratches could be easily polished off using some toothpaste. Now, I will need a 5504 Explorer..

Before and after cleaning

Rolex 5501 Dress watch Explorer

 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.

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

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...

There are two types of 1530 movements with the earlier butterfly movement being more desirable.

Rolex 5501 Explorer

The prices of the so called Dress watch Explorer has risen from the starting price of the coming Antiquorum auction at US$9000 (HK$70,000)

https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-5501-explorer-lot-338-241?page=3&q=rolex

Rolex 6605 (from 1957,Q2)

My quest to complete my collection of the Pre Datejust continue with this Rolex ref 6605 from the year 1957, Q2. Basing on the model number, the Rolex 6605 was only produced from 1956-1959 before it was being replaced by the  ref 1600,1601,1603. This is one of the classic Pre Modern Datejust, which has the overall look and feel of the Datejust . The Rolex 6605 has a few variations namely with White gold or yellow gold bezel, in Engine Turned bezel or flute bezel, and using either the A.296 or Cal 1065 or 1066 movement, sword shaped hands or rectangular hands etc.

Lately, I am slowly letting go some watches as the quantities have become unmanageable. I have started to clear away those whom I think JJ would not like..

Ref.#           Production date:    Movement:
4467            1945 - 1949         A.295(全封密式)
5031/6031    1949 - 1950         A.295
5030            1949 - 1950         A.295
6075            1950 - 1953         A.295
6074            1950 - 1953         A.295
6104            1951 - 1953         A.296(半封密式)
6105/6155    1951 - 1953         A.296
6304            1953 - 1956         A.296
6305            1953 - 1956         A.296

6605            1956 - 1959         A.296或1065,6(卡啦時期.前期A.296、後期cal.1065,6)
6604            1956 - 1959         A.296或1065,6(卡啦時期.前期A.296、後期cal.1065,6)

Rolex 6605 , 即係 1601 鋼王Datejust 前身。 18K金幼狗牙圈

Rolex Explorer II Reference 16570 (from 2004/5)

This blog Rolex Explorer 2 ref 16570 was originally written in July 2020. I was supposed to get a Rolex 16570 then and have been doing some research on the variations but I ended up getting a Rolex 16610LV Green submariner instead. As such, I can only leave it as it is.

The thought of getting a Rolex 16570 constantly reappeared in my mind. This afternoon, I have managed to trade my Bi Colour Rolex for this as my guess is I wouldn't wear the Bi colour Rolex too often. The watch "fashion" is a strange one as previously, all black dial commands a premium over the white dial. Recently, the trend has change as the white dial commands a premium over the black. As I have already have the Rolex 16550 in white (turned cream dial), it is natural for me to get a black dial as I believe the fashion for black will return in a while. I am not very particular of the small variations (Swiss, SWISS T < 25, Luminova or Super Luminova etc) as my focus is more on the variations in models e.g. Explorer 1 reference 6610, 1016 (gilt dial versus  Non Gilt), Dress watch Explorer (with date, and without date), Explorer 2 Ref 1655, 16550, 16570 etc.

The Explorer model 1016 was launched in 1959. Originally featuring a gloss black dial, it was the first Explorer to be marked ‘Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified’ on the dial, and was also the first to feature minute marks which went to the very edge of the dial. The 1016 remained in production until 1989, making it the longest continually made Rolex model.
 
1971 saw the launch of the Explorer II 1655. The development of the watch led to the introduction of a metal bezel with a 24-hour time scale as well as a second hour hand. These additions further developed the ‘tool’ nature of the Explorer, as well as its practicality. The second hour hand allowed the wearer to keep constant track of daylight hours remaining, leading to its use in the field of Speleology, the scientific study of caves. 

Many watch collector was hoping for the Relaunch of the new Explorer 2 in 2021 (to mark the 50th anniversary of the Explorer 2 1971- 2021). Strangely, the launch of the new Rolex Explorer 2 did not happened. Instead, Rolex has launched a new Explorer 1 in Bi colour.

My last Rolex Explorer II reference 16550 was bought in July, 2012. I have always thought that my the cut off date for my Explorer collection will be the ref 16550 (1985-89). 

Some history to start off with from the net. In 1989, Rolex unveiled another updated version of the Explorer II with the ref. 16570. It had many of the same features of the preceding ref. 16550 with a couple of notable upgrades. First, there was the new Caliber 3185 in the earlier Explorer II ref. 16570 models. Moreover, although the dial layout stayed the same, another signature difference of the Explorer II ref. 16570 was the use of black outlines surrounding the round hour-markers on the white dials rather than the more traditional white gold ones. 

Rolex made the Explorer II ref. 16570 for 22 years (1989 - 2011) and as such, this particular reference underwent several changes over the course of its production run. The key changes are:

• Early models ran on Caliber 3185, later models housed the Caliber 3186. 
• Rolex changed the luminescent material a few times. 
• First came tritium (labeled with SWISS T < 25). 
• Then in the late 1990s, Rolex switched to Luminova and the dials are labeled with “SWISS” under 6 o’clock.
• Rolex changed to Super Luminova around the year 2000 and the dials are marked with “SWISS MADE” under six. 
• It’s also worth noting that Rolex began engraving the rehaut (the space between the dial and the crystal) of its watches with “ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX” starting in the mid-2000s as an anti-counterfeiting measure. 
• There are several types of 16570, all available with either a black or white dial:
• • 1989 to 1998 Tritium dial – expect to pay between £7,000 and £9,000.  
  • 1998 to 1999 Swiss only dial – expect to pay between £7,000 and £8,000.  These are the rarest of all Explorer IIs and again, prices are rising sharply.
  • 1999 to 2007 Swiss made dial with 3185 movement – expect to pay between £6,750 and £8,000.  These are the bulk of 16570s as production numbers were higher in the 2000s and they were made for eight years and the condition of the watches tended to be very good owing to the age..
  https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2231086757077318736/2029484296606451791