Rolex. A stainless steel automatic bracelet watch Explorer, Ref: 5500, Circa 1959

Rolex. A stainless steel automatic bracelet watch Model: Explorer Reference: 5500 Date: Circa 1959 Movement: 25-jewel Cal.1530 automatic, No.30436 Dial: Black, white baton hour markers, Arabic numeral quarters, white outer minute divisions, polished Mercedes hands with luminous inserts, centre seconds Case: Brushed and polished tonneau form, screw down back and crown, inside back stamped IV.1958, No.419842 Strap/Bracelet: Fitted 78350 Oyster link Buckle/Clasp: Signed folding clasp, stamped RS2 Signed: Case, dial & movement Size: 34mm Footnotes: Traditionally, the reference 5500 is associated with Rolex's Air-King design. For a few years in the 1960s however, Rolex also produced a small number of reference 5500 watches with Explorer dials that were almost indistinguishable from the classic Explorer Reference 1016. Instead of 'Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified' the dials would spell out 'Precision' or 'Super Precision' below the hands. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com