1960's Explorer 1530 Butterfly

[Cocobeans66]

Hello All,

New to the forum, new to watch collecting and the hobby. Thank you for having me. I was hoping to gather some information regarding earlier explorers. I recently came across a 60's explorer with a 1530 inside as opposed to the iconic 1016. Can anyone tell me if within the short period the 1530 cal was in service with Rolex whether they were implemented into the explorer? Further, has anyone had any experience with the 1530 in an explorer, pros/cons to share? thank you in advance and look forward to any insights.

[Tools]

I thought that the Explorer used 1560 and 1570 movements.

I understand that top plates are interchangeable on many of the 15xx movements, so looking at the number is not always a true indicator of the original movement.

Certainly worth some exploration.

[Cocobeans66]

dial is most likely repainted or restored. It's 34mm, stated 5500 on back with dated stamp. reads super precision. No T-25. just trying to make certain it not a transitioned Air King.

[TuRo]

EXPLORER TIMELINE - According to Skeet and Ural book "Vintage rolex sports models" published by Schiffer

6098 CALIBRE A296
6298 A296
6150 A296
6350 A296
6350. A296
6610. 1030
5500. 1530
5504. 1530
1016. 1530
1016. 1560
1016 1570

[77T]

I think that chart only covers the model's "launch" caliber - I mean the caliber with which the model was introduced.

Since we're talking 1530, and OP is asking about an Explorer or Air King use, we shouldn't forget a strange step Rolex took in a backward way.

The 1530 was followed by the 1520. Strange way to do numbering. Some say due to cost of production. I suggest it was cost to regulate (and by inference watchmaker hours in factory).

In 1957 Rolex developed their own 100% in-house movement as the 1500 series. Overall the series remained in production for 20 years. Not COSC yet, 1530 would have super precision on the dial. In 1963, the 1520 supplanted the series and had only precision on dials for Air King 5500. (As a note, development of quartz was underway with a 1967 prototype shown by Seiko and CEH).

Of course, later both the 1560 and 1570 were introduced and had COSC Certified status.

So for an Air King, it may have begun life with 1530 Super Precision dial, but then regressed to 1520 Precision...and as Larry said, a watchmaker doing repair could have swapped plates based on his inventory and the customer's watch problem.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro up

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Cocobeans66

dial is most likely repainted or restored. It's 34mm, stated 5500 on back with dated stamp. reads super precision. No T-25. just trying to make certain it not a transitioned Air King.

If you have a 5500 with a repainted dial you may have one of the many conversions since the Explorer had more cache' for many years.

[Cocobeans66]

here are pictures of it. thanks. Yes, dial is not OG nor are the hands.

[Cocobeans66]

meant to add this

[Cocobeans66]

case-5500

[Cocobeans66]

case engraving

[77T]

Originally Posted by Tools

If you have a 5500 with a repainted dial you may have one of the many conversions since the Explorer had more cache' for many years.

Agree.

This aspect makes me think the movement was an early 1530 - a stick regulator. As expected the butterfly too.



But the teflon reversers were a later improvement. As was the 25 jewel version.

Perhaps this movement had some updating during past service work. Not saying it's wrong to do so - just maybe not all original.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Cocobeans66]

thank you for your insights. I will continue to research this.