8. Watch Enthusiasts’ Gathering
78.
Rolex – An early, very rare, and attractive stainless steel wristwatch with “mark 1” dial, 24-hour indication, date and bracelet, retailed by Joyeria Ricciardi, Buenos Aires
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
1971
Reference No.
1655
Movement No.
D930’957
Case No.
2’770’331, inside case back further stamped II.71
Model Name
Explorer II, “Freccione”
Material
Stainless steel
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, stamped 7836, end links stamped 280, max overall length 195mm
Clasp/Buckle
Stainless steel Rolex folding deployant clasp
Dimensions
38mm Diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.
stamped 11.71
Estimate $18,000-30,000 €15,600-26,100 Accessories Accompanied by Rolex presentation box with Ricciardi retailer signature.
Rolex introduced the Explorer II as a new generation of the famed Explorer family of wristwatches frst introduced in the early 1950s. With the successful ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzig Norgay, Rolex sought to ofer a robust and wearable tool watch meeting the demands of early mountaineers.
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The unique design, with the engraved 24-hour calibrated bezel and oversized center hand, referred to by collectors as “Freccione” or big arrow, permits the wearer to easily tell time in the darkness of caves. The triangular-shaped hand indicates the time on the non-rotating 24-hour calibrated steel bezel. While reminiscent of the 24-hour rotating bezel of the GMT-Master, this watch is not for dual time purposes, but solely for those who are in darkness for prolonged periods of time, and enables the wearer to diferentiate night and day. The present lot is an exceptional, early example, featuring all the correct elements of frst generation examples of the reference that are so sought afer by collectors – straight seconds hand, Mark 1 bezel, and Mark 1 dial. Fresh-tothe-auction market and manufactured in the frst year of the model’s production, it’s preserved in wonderful original condition with an unpolished case and dial that has beautifully aged over the last 47 years. Elevating its importance, the watch is further enhanced by handstamped inventory numbers to the underside of the lugs, the unmistakable mark of a watch retailed by the prestigious Joyeria Ricciardi of Buenos Aires, and one of less than a handful known to exist. The warm brownish hues of the luminous hour markers match the hue of the luminous hands, while the case has strong proportions and clearly defned lug bevels as delivered from the factory. The reference 1655 is an exciting reference for collectors – a prominent model within the Rolex product line since it was frst introduced. Accompanied with its Ricciardi-signed Rolex box, it is not only an all original early example, retailed by Ricciardi, it is one of the fnest examples of the reference to appear on the market.
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