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Rolex. A rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, 24 hour hand, bracelet and ivory-coloured "rail" dial

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE, EXPLORER II, REF. 16550, CASE NO. 9'148'219, CIRCA 1985

Details

Rolex. A rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, 24 hour hand, bracelet and ivory-coloured "rail" dial
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual date, Explorer II, Ref. 16550, case no. 9'148'219, circa 1985
Cal. 3085 automatic movement, 27 jewels, ivory-coloured dial, luminous dot, baton and dagger numerals, white gold luminous mercedes hands, sweep centre seconds, magnified window for date, central luminous 24 hour hand, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, bezel calibrated for 24 hours, screw back, screw down crown, stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, case, dial and movement signed
39 mm. diam.

Special Notice

Prospective buyers should be aware that the importation of Rolex watches into the United States is highly restricted. Rolex watches may not be shipped into the USA and can only be imported personally. Generally a buyer may import only one watch into the USA. For further information please contact our specialists in charge of the sale. Please note other countries may have comparable import restrictions for luxury watches.

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Lot Essay

Among collectors, the present watch with ivory-coloured dial is without doubt the most sought-after version of all reference 16550 watches. This ivory/cream dial is special both because of its very warm and eye-pleasing tone and because of the way the "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" is displayed. Also known as "rail dial" it is distinguished by the symmetric division of the two lines below the centre: "Superlative" and "Officially" to the left, clearly separated by a vertical space (thus "rail"), and "Chronometer" and "Certified" to the right.

While dials in white and black exist for this fine Explorer II reference, the "ivory rail dial" model was produced in a very small series only.

Ref. 16550 with dial versions in white, black and ivory are prominently described and illustrated in 100 Years of Rolex - 1908 to 2008 by Franca and Guido Mondani, pp. 184-187.

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