DESCRIPTION:
WW - Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer II, ref 1655, circa 1974, 40mm x 47mm to lug tips, 20mm lug width, original stainless steel screw back Oyster case with chamfered lugs, MK2 steel 24 hour bezel, original black MK2 dial with lume painted indices and a date aperture at 3, non-quickset, 26J cal 1570, s#3583726, triple signed, inside back ref 1655. Includes period inner and outer boxes as well as a hang tags. The Rolex Explorer II was released in 1971 and was specifically designed for spelunkers. Instead of every hour being lumed on the dial, every 2-1/2 minutes are lumed to correspond with the fixed bezel. The large arrow hand, which is not independently set, allowed the intended wearer to see if it was day or night at a glance in dark caves.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, 24 hour hand functions properly, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, no oxide on rotor or plates, light micro-fine scratches on rotor with the sides of one of the plates having a thin line of brass showing through; excellent-plus dial with two small oil spots at 2 and another oil spot at 5, lume is slightly discolored; nearly flawless hands with very light mark to straight sweep hand's center; polished head shows light wear, still retains strong visible lug chamfers, dings on backs of lugs from being worn on a bracelet; signed crown shows very little wear, good threads; excellent crystal; resealed for auction. Inner and outer boxes show very little wear.
ESTIMATE:
$16000
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$20000
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