Rolex made the Explorer II for cave explorers or speleologists who could not track the time during their work below the earth’s surface. The fact is that when you are not bare to daylight, you are likely to lose track of time. Have you ever found yourself in such a situation? The Rolex Explorer lineup was devised for professional use. Indeed, the original Rolex Explorer watch can be regarded as the first-ever professional sports watch of the brand. However, the robust timepiece lacked certain complications or features that would make them particularly attuned to exploration. Nonetheless, the Rolex Explorer line that dates back to 1953 were self-winding and highly durable watches that exhibited merely the time of day. However, do you own a Rolex Explorer watch and planning to ‘sell my Rolex’ for cash? Keep in mind: Also Read: Rolex Datejust: The History of the True Industry Icon Whether you are looking to sell your Rolex Explorer or ‘sell Rolex’ watch of any other collection, it is essential to choose a trustworthy buyer to ensure you are getting the best possible deal. Nonetheless, let’s today delve into the history of the most significant and of course, the ultimate vintage sports watch – Rolex Explorer II 1655 that is rare and today extremely desirable among potential collectors. The Rolex Explorer II Reference 1655 Rolex launched the ever first version of the Explorer II reference 1655 in 1971. While the reference 1655 was not a re-modified version of the prevailing Explorer watch, Rolex accorded it the designation ‘Explorer II’. The watch was designed for people who work for prolonged periods in low-light conditions like in caves or deep caverns underneath the earth. Thus, what are the features that made the reference 1655 attuned for speleologists?
Also Read: A Comprehensive Guide to Rolex Serial Numbers Readability on the Rolex Explorer II 1655 The Explorer II reference 1655 features both 24-hour and 12-hour markings on its dial that boost the readability of its 24hour display.
Consequently, those who were accustomed to the legibility of 12hour display faced difficulties in reading the time. Thus, although the reference 1655 was made highly functional and innovative, it faced criticism for being cluttered as well as challenging to read. Also Read: The History of Rolex Cosmograph Daytona However, Rolex equipped the watch with the same COSC-certified calibre movement and 26-jewel that was employed inside its GMT-Master collection. This offered the additional functionality of the date complication and 24hour hand.
In simple words, Rolex offered such a unique set of features to the Explorer II reference 1655 to make a perfect timepiece for cave explorers who work in total darkness for days. The Nicknames of Explorer II 1655 While the watch featured a big, 24hour arrow-shaped hand, the Rolex Explorer II ref 1655 earned the ‘Freccionne’ nickname among many Italian collectors and dealers. Interestingly, the reference 1655 also acquired the popular nickname ‘Steve McQueen’. How? Rolex is known to advertise a campaign that featured the popular Hollywood actor, Steve McQueen. However, there is no such proof that the noteworthy actor ever indeed wore or owned this specific model. From 1971 to 1985 production run, Rolex made little changes to the reference 1655. This includes slight changes in the dial, two distinctive seconds-hand designs and four bezel variations. However, the overall look and aesthetics of the Rolex Explorer II reference 1655 remained significantly unaltered. Also Read: How to Verify the Authenticity of a Rolex watch? So, Why the Rolex Explorer II 1655 is Important? The Rolex Explorer II reference 1655 holds a significant position in Rolex’s catalogue because of these reasons:
Indeed, the subsequent generations of Rolex Explorer II closely resemble the brand’s GMT-Master II timepieces. However, the watch might be virtually unpopular during its production period; the reference 1655 is today highly desirable by collectors. It is also coveted among potential buyers who are willing to pay the highest possible price for this vintage Rolex reference that comes with a unique appearance and features. Also Read: 5 Exclusive Rolex Cerachrom Bezels Regardless, while relatively all Rolex watches are created using the best-quality components and metal, they keep hold of its value with time. Thus, if you own a Rolex watch and looking to raise instant cash, you can choose to ‘sell Rolex’, ‘sell my Rolex’ or sell your Rolex to any potential watch buyers in London with full confidence. With professional and trusted watch dealers like at The Luxury Hut, you are likely to receive the most competitive market price of your Rolex watch. Simply, fill up the online form and receive an initial quote. If you are satisfied with the given quote, bring in or send your watch to confirm the final offer. Accept it and get paid within minutes with no hassle.
0 Comments
A chronograph is a complication that can be used more typically as a stopwatch and also, functions as a mere time-telling device. It enables the user to measure time intervals without influencing the standard time-telling functionality of a watch. Chronographs are indeed one of the most popular types of timepieces available in the market. However, no matter whether you ever use the function of a stopwatch or not, chronograph timepieces are typically sought-after for their style. And, thanks goes to the presence of counters on the dial and pushers on the case. Now: The fact is chronographs that exist in the market today are of three different types. Besides the standard one, there are rattrapante chronographs, mono-pusher chronographs and also, the flyback chronographs. So, now the question comes – ‘what is a flyback chronograph?’ Thus, before you head out to ‘sell my watch’ or ‘sell my Rolex’ to raise instant cash, read on our comprehensive guide to find out what a flyback chronograph indeed is, why it is named so and what is its significance. A Chronograph and A Flyback Chronograph: The Difference Let’s start with the basics. Like it is already mentioned above, a chronograph watch is the one, designed to measure consecutive times like laps of a speedway through a stopwatch function. If you press the flyback button, the second hand goes back to zero and begins counting again immediately. When comparing it with a standard chronograph, the wearer has to press three buttons consecutively to stop the timing, return the hand and restart the hand. A standard chronograph timepiece usually comes with two pushers on its case. One pusher, located generally at 2 o’clock position works to start as well as stop the centre hand of the chronograph. Also Read: How Cartier Became A Serious Watchmaker? However, the other pusher that is customarily fitted at 4 o’clock position allows resetting the chronograph-hand back to zero once pushed. If you ask for a famous example of a standard chronograph timepiece, it would be the Rolex Daytona. Thus, while a standard chronograph needs three button-presses to stop, reset and restart, a flyback chronograph serves as a more useful device for people like divers, pilots and motorcar racers. The chronograph hand is usually at the dial’s centre that replaces the traditional seconds hand. Eventually, the running seconds-hand is shifted to a smaller sub-dial. However, some chronograph sub-dials may also consist of a minute counter and an hour counter for recording the elapsed time. The Functionality A flyback chronograph minimises the overall process of restarting the chronograph function from three steps to only one step. The wearer has to merely push the ‘start’ pusher for activating the complication and can literally skip the steps of hand-stopping and restarting altogether. Also Read: A Comprehensive Guide to Rolex Serial Numbers This means that while the chronograph hand is running, you can press the reset pusher and subsequently, the Chrono hand will ‘flyback’ to zero. More significantly, the chronograph hands will not only return to ‘zero’ position after pressing the reset button but also will resume functioning for the next event. Rolex Yacht-Master II Chronograph with Flyback Functionality The regatta timer, Rolex Yacht-Master II, is a perfect example that comes with the flyback functionality. The watch sports a mechanical memory, a programmable countdown timer and a fly-forward function. The pusher on the Yacht-Master II at 2 o’clock position calls on the centre red chronograph hand. However, while pressing the 4 o’clock pusher before 30seconds will make the hand fly back to zero, the hand will fly forward to zero if it passes 30seconds. Also Read: How to Verify the Authenticity of a Rolex watch? Moreover, the centre chronograph hand works in conjunction with the countdown timer that is equipped at the dial’s centre. Thus, the timer is set employing any particular number between 1 to 10minutes, and the countdown will get activated using the chronograph hand. However, the user has to ‘fly’ the chronograph hand forward or backwards to zero by pushing the 4 o’clock pusher. There are many flyback chronograph timepieces out there. But, the Rolex Yacht-Master II is ideally a complicated example. Why? This is because the watch merges its flyback complication with a Programmable countdown timer. However, if you are looking to ‘sell watches’ or ‘sell Rolex’ watch with flyback functionality, you must choose a reliable dealer to make the process smooth. Professional watch buyers like at The Luxury Hut have substantial knowledge and experience in dealing with all kinds of luxury watches. You are likely to receive the most competitive price of your pre-owned watch, be it is a standard Rolex Daytona or a Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback. Thus, begin the process by filling up the online form and receive an initial price quote right away. Unlike the Rolex’s Submariner, GMT-Master or Daytona, Rolex Air-King receives less attention and is forgotten often among the more famous Rolex collections. However, the Air-King is one of the oldest collections of Rolex watches that come with a compelling history, spanning over 70years of continuous production. The Rolex Air-King is one of the most coveted Rolex watches, especially among the vintage watch aficionados or seekers out there. Nonetheless, the Air-King that is worthy of your attention is the iconic Reference 5500.
Thus, whether you are looking to sell your Rolex Air-King or ‘sell my Rolex’ of any other collection, today let’s take a close look at the longest running watches of the collection – Rolex Air-King Reference 5500. Rolex Air-King History – Dates Back to World War II Rolex manufactured many ‘Air’ iterations for the British Royal Air Force during and after World War II. The story goes like that British pilots of World War II rejected their standard-issued field timepieces in favour of Oyster Perpetual watches. Thus, Hans Wilsdorf, the co-founder of Rolex, decided to introduce a series of aviation watches, especially to pay homage to the brave RAF pilots. The first official ‘Air-King’ watch launched in 1945 was the Reference 4925. While the watch came in 34mm watch case, it was named as ‘King’ as the case size was regarded substantial during that time. The Rolex Air-King became a part of the ‘Air’ watch collection that included Air-Giant, Air-Tiger and Air-Lion. But, the Rolex Air-Kings outlasted the others. However, the first Rolex Air-King Ref. 4925 is now rare to find that features a cream dial along with even-numbered Arabic numerals. Also Read: The History of Rolex Cosmograph Daytona While the brand continued to upgrade the design, the Air-King collection started to achieve their aesthetic with the evolutionary Reference 6652. Launched in 1953, the Rolex Air-King Ref. 6652 housed the Calibre 1030 movement. However, the watch even debuts the creamy silver dial and stick hour markers that turned out to be an iconic complication in the succeeding Reference 5500. In 1957, Rolex introduced a brand-new version of the Air-King in the reference 5500. The Air-King Reference 5500 In 1957, Rolex launched the Air-King Reference 5500 to define the line for the next 37years. The watch featured an Oystersteel case of 34mm and a matching Oyster bracelet. However, the 34mm size of the watch case was even pretty small for the vintage era when the Explorer Ref. 1016 was available at 36mm. Depending on the production year, the Air-King 5500 was equipped with Calibre 1520 or 1530 movement. Nonetheless, the Rolex Air-King was not ever chronometer certified. Thus, the vintage Air-king watches do not have the words ‘superlative chronometer-certified’ engraved on the dials. Instead, you will notice the terms ‘precision’ and ‘super precision’ etched at the 6 o’clock position for the Calibre 1520 and Calibre 1530 respectively. In fact, one of the most coveted Air-King watches among the collectors is the one that flaunts the words ‘Air-King’ as well as ‘Super Precision’ in red. However, all watches of the reference 5500 do not certainly follow this nomenclature rule. Also Read: New Rolex Day-Date 36: The Watch of Prestige Additionally, in some rare Air-King ref. 5500 timepieces, no text appears on the lower half of the dial, and sometimes collectors call them as ‘Pre-Precision’ dials. With no additional features like a rotational bezel, date complication or chronograph registers, the Rolex ref. 5500 boasts one of the simplest and most underrated designs of all time. The watch sports a creamy, silver dial housed below an acrylic crystal and stick markers at the 12 o’clock position. The Reference 5500 stayed in production for nearly 37years and its rugged durability, and classic look remained significantly unaltered the entire time. Although the watch has always been regarded as one of the ‘entry-level’ Rolex, its superior build quality and timeless design have made it a popular choice for politicians and celebrities. Also Read: How to Verify the Authenticity of a Rolex watch? The Rolex Air-King ref. 5500 comes with all trademark complications of a Rolex watch but with no unnecessary features. Moreover, the watch’s modest 34mm size makes it a versatile choice for men as well as women. However, for those who are looking to ‘sell Rolex’ or ‘sell Rolex watches’ for instant cash, get in touch with trusted watch buyers who apprehend the real significance of the watches manufactured by elite brands like Rolex. With reliable watch dealers like at The Luxury Hut, you are likely to obtain the best possible price of your Rolex watch, be it is a vintage Rolex Air-King or any contemporary Rolex model. To get started with the process, fill up our online form and get an initial price quote right away. |