5500 Explorer "Facts" (?) and Myths

[dannnct]

Hi,
I have a explorer dated year 59 .the back case shown 5504. But as far as I know 5504 only made in 20mm lug to lug but mine us 19mm lug yo lug

[gery82]

Fantastic thread! Would you guys say a Tiffany & co dial 5500 Explorer is something rare?


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[Birky101]

I like the 34mm Air King but then when I put the Explorer hour and minute hands on but kept the Air King second hand it the made it into the best Rolex I've owned

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[nostalgiac]

I know I am posting on old link. But for the sake of topic, I thought it ok. However if administrators think it more appropriate to have a newer thread, they may shift it.

I have been looking for an authentic and different 'explorer' and knew I could not afford a pristine one. Hence got a beaten down one. The serial number is in 846*** and reference seems to be 5501 as can be seen in the photos.

[IMG]D:\Antique\resize\RolexExplorer5500\RolexExplorer5 501Paint[/IMG]

Inside case back also says 5501 and manufactured in 3rd quarter of 1962 (III 62).

[IMG]D:\Antique\resize\RolexExplorer5500\RolexExpInside Back5501[/IMG]

It fully tallies with the piece offered in Antiquorum sale many years back. As a matter of fact, the case serial numbers are also tallying in the sense that first three digits are the same. And that Antiquorum piece is also from 1962. It uses gold bezel,dagger hands. Mine is Cal 1530 and is PRECISION.

[IMG]D:\Antique\resize\RolexExplorer5500\Antiquorum5501 SameSerial[/IMG]

However, I saw a similar piece discussed on VRF where reference is 5500 and dial almost same. But bezel and crown is steel. The URL is here

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...6gt%3B%26gt%3B

I am wondering how confusing Explorer Model is!

Help I need is on

1. Is Explorer 5500 with steel bezel and steel crown?
2. Is Explorer 5501 with Gold Bezel and Gold crown?

Thanks

[Maxbliss888]

Hi! Basing on my limited experience,

1. Is Explorer 5500 with steel bezel and steel crown? Yes, comes with Gilt and matt dial
Photo showing my 5500 in gilt dial.
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2. Is Explorer 5501 with Gold Bezel and Gold crown? Yes
Photo showing both black and white dial


There is another model 5507 with date version:



Hope that help..

[Jawnz]

Love this thread so much, I learned a lot and furthermore proved I need a 5500 explorer.

[TuRo]

Thanks Philip - Any intellectual horsepower on 5500Exp is much appreciated on what is, I would suggest, the most faked Rolex out there....given cheap doner 34mm cases and mvts.

[Fivewaymirror]

This is my first post on the forum and I appreciate everyone's input on this topic. I recently came across a purported Explorer 5500 which is marked "SUPER PRECISION" but has a 1520 movement.

My understanding is that the "Super Precision" text was ONLY used with 1530's, and that if a watch has both a 1520 movement and "Super Precision" that it has likely been incorrectly refaced. Is my understanding correct?

The caseback is only stamped "1002."

This is an amazing and constructive forum, I look forward to future participation.

[Cocobeans66]

i see this an older thread, but thought to ask questions regarding the 1530 cal. I am currently looking at an explorer from 62', super precision w/ no t-25. It has a 1530 cal inside. other than what I expect as a repainted dial, I cannot tell if this is genuine explorer or an Air King that has been transitioned. Are there any specifics to keep in mind? Should be of note, the back has 5500 and is dated. thank you for any insights.

[cardiel]

at least 1962 is in the correct range of production.....tread carefully and post pics here. There are a couple of experts here who can confidently identify the real thing.

[Cocobeans66]

thanks. I will try and grab some pictures to post.

[Cocobeans66]

here are some pics

[1675-David]

Not too keen on that dial or the hands. Please post better images straight on of the dial so the hands don’t cover the print. Personally I wouldn't consider buying this one.

[Cocobeans66]

hands replaced. dial either replaced or repainted. If replaced, more reason to believe this was once an Air King. The only saving grace is the case back with 5500 engraving.