Vintage Explorer date from the 50's

[NicolasA]

This Explorer date is something very rare to me. I will post better pics asap.

In the meantime, do you know which ref should be correct for the model?

Apparently the dial and hands were replaced for new old stock parts years ago. It was polished and it looks pretty good.

Any comments will be appreciated,

Thanks

Nicolas

[Tools]

I believe that early Explorer Dates only came in ref #5700.

It's my understanding that Explorer Dates are very rare, were primarily made for the US market and were introduced in the early '60s..

The movement, inside case markings, and known history need to be looked at very closely.

The serial number would be more helpful in pinpointing the date..

[redshirt1957]

Can't help you with your question, but I used to work in BA on Defensa.

[Jedi]

More info please Larry, there's no info in any of the books on a date Explorer.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by JediSubExII

More info please Larry, there's no info in any of the books on a date Explorer.

Here is some interesting reading on the Explorer. This one states the ref. #5700 Date was mostly seen with a dress dial..

This may indicate that the watch shown has been re-dialed.. Remember too that the Explorer was the base watch that both the Air-king and the 5513 Sub grew out of, so an old watch may have undergone some parts swaps..

Early Explorer History

[Alcan]

There are a couple of Explorer reference 5701's at these links, including James Dowling's.

http://www.ukwatches.com/collection.html

http://www.bubblebackclub.com/pub_pr...ries_cat_id=13

[Jedi]

Thanks guys.

I'd been looking at some vintage Explorers from all over the place, and I concluded it's a bit of a minefield. This date reference just kind of threw me.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I look forward to seeing pics of your Expl. Date!

[jac67]

Hello Nicolas

That dial looks kind of wrong too me. Also the hour and minute hands look too 'green' (maybe luminova) and the seconds hand looks that it is from a DJ.

The Explorer Date dials that I have seen look more conventional and not 3-6-9 type.

The watch looks like a model 6694 Oysterdate manual wind.

Have a close look at the number between the lugs at 12 o'clock. You can probably see them without taking off the band.


John.

[Lol-x]

I'm not familiar with that watch, but given the lack of the word 'perpetual' on the dial it must be a manual wind. If it is automatic, I would doubt the authenticity of the model.
Manual wind watches are 1950's. I have not seen such a dial before. It could be a Canadian model, but I cannot confirm.
I think John's advice is good, see what the reference number is between the lugs.

[Trurolexer]

Nice watch...
WELCOME TO TRF, Man...

[NicolasA]

I'm getting better pics hopefully tomorrow so I could share them with the forum.

The dial reads precision, so it's a manual wind watch.

Regarding numbers on it, I'm not sure they will be helpful as that case looks like a case from the 70's, don't you think? Of course I will post them along with the pics.

As far as I know, this watch is sort of the leftover of an original 1957 explorer date, ref 5701. The owner says it was serviced many years ago and received nos dial and hands. I'm pretty sure hands are tritium, but a close up will tell us if they were relumed. Same with the dial, I'm eager to know if some insane freak opened a date window on an early explorer dial.

I read that the explorer is product of early air king and dj models. What this case makes me think is that the replacement dial received a replacement case somewhere in the 70's, so I'd be chasing mainly a movement, crown, a dial that nobody has seen before (high possibilities of fake, redial, original with surgery, and son on).

It is very exciting anyway, I'll keep all of you updated, I appreciate every input

Nicolas