5500 Explorer Question

[bryanflowers]

I have a 5500 Explorer from 1969. It's a Precision model and is running about 12 to 15 seconds fast a day. It has been serviced in the last year. I'm just not sure what the amount of time gained or lost should be a day for a 1520 movement (I think) should be. What should the accuracy be for an older Precision model be?

[jedly1]

technically its non cosc so the actual spec could be argued till the cows comes home ... I've heard varying answer from Rolex themselves, trouble with that is it makes it difficult to argue with the watchmakers who serviced/services it and will depend more on their attitude ( and abilities)


having said that the 1520 movt is perfectly capabale of delivering time within cosc spec and in fact on my watches often proves to be the most accurate

[bryanflowers]

Thanks for the reply. I just wasn't sure with it being an older model what I should expect from a non cosc watch. Well I guess it is running far too fast if it should be closer to cosc specs.

[rfknauss]

Don't know much about the accuracy of Explorers, but my 32 year old 5513 non-COSC Sub is running +5 seconds ..... which is within COSC specs.

[pablofields]

Originally Posted by bryanflowers

I have a 5500 Explorer from 1969. It's a Precision model and is running about 12 to 15 seconds fast a day. It has been serviced in the last year. I'm just not sure what the amount of time gained or lost should be a day for a 1520 movement (I think) should be. What should the accuracy be for an older Precision model be?

Don't get to see too many 5500 expy's

[Gugnunc]

Hi bryanflowers,
I had my 1963 made 5500 Explorer returned from service five weeks back and, after settling down, it is running marginally outside chronometric standards but as "super precision" variant I'm not sure whether it has a 1520 or 1530 movement. Some say the 1520 is superior (higher beat rate) whilst others opt for the 1530 (Breguet overcoil and microstellar regulation) but I am sure that if your watch is running at a CONSISTANT 12-15 seconds fast per day then it is only a matter of regulation to bring it within chrono. standards, which is pretty good for a 40 year old watch sold without any defined performance limits. In my (biased) opinion one of the best looking watches Rolex ever made - it' so understated.

[bryanflowers]

Phillip, I totally agree that to me it is the best looking Rolex ever made. So comfortable to wear and just a joy to own. I'll post pics soon.

[Gugnunc]

Hi again bryanflowers,
Just a quick follow-up; I don't know how much research you have done into your watch, but at some point you will come up with a recounting of the theory that all 5500 Explorers were sold initially to British military personnel, I can 100% guarantee that this is incorrect. Some MAY have been sold that way but certainly not all. Cheers!

[bb3188]

Originally Posted by Gugnunc

Hi again bryanflowers,
Just a quick follow-up; I don't know how much research you have done into your watch, but at some point you will come up with a recounting of the theory that all 5500 Explorers were sold initially to British military personnel, I can 100% guarantee that this is incorrect. Some MAY have been sold that way but certainly not all. Cheers!

Isnt the 5500 a canadian mkt issued explorer?

[Gugnunc]

Hi Mark,
Certainly not exclusively, this is a myth (togeher with various others about 5500 Explorers). I have had my Explorer from new (boy that makes me old!) bought from a high street AD in Norwich (England) in June 1965. I still have the original receipt, box and all the other documentation that came with a new watch in those days which clearly identify it for what it is. So in my case, and I know of others, the watch was sold as any other normal Rolex for civilian use. I have seen claims on the net that 5500 Explorers were, as you say, for Canadian sale only, for sale to British army officers only and for sale to any member of the British armed forces via the NAAFI (the equivalent of the U.S. PX). As I said some of them MAY have had a military connection but I suspect that this is largely an urban myth which has spread and multiplied via the 'net. Hope that this clarifies things.

[goduke1]

My Air-King 5500 has the same movement. I had it serviced in early 2009 and it was regulated within COSC specs. It is possible to get great accuracy from the 1520.

[bb3188]

Originally Posted by Gugnunc

Hi Mark,
Certainly not exclusively, this is a myth (togeher with various others about 5500 Explorers). I have had my Explorer from new (boy that makes me old!) bought from a high street AD in Norwich (England) in June 1965. I still have the original receipt, box and all the other documentation that came with a new watch in those days which clearly identify it for what it is. So in my case, and I know of others, the watch was sold as any other normal Rolex for civilian use. I have seen claims on the net that 5500 Explorers were, as you say, for Canadian sale only, for sale to British army officers only and for sale to any member of the British armed forces via the NAAFI (the equivalent of the U.S. PX). As I said some of them MAY have had a military connection but I suspect that this is largely an urban myth which has spread and multiplied via the 'net. Hope that this clarifies things.

thanks Phillip...quite interesting ... i have a bit of a thing for the old explorers ( and particularly its military connections) and was previously under the impression that the 5500 was only for the canadian mkt..... info on the net is a double edge sword !

[Tools]

If the movement is sound, then it should be able to be regulated to within 5 seconds easily..

After that, those early movements were good for picking up or losing a couple of seconds a day by positional adjustment.. on it's side to lose, on it's back to gain.. A good regulation and these tips and you can keep very accurate time.......