Rolex
Explorer, Reference 6350 | A stainless steel wristwatch with honeycomb dial | Circa 1953
Auction Closed
May 10, 02:36 PM GMT
Estimate
10,000 - 20,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Dial: black, honeycomb pattern
Calibre: cal. A296 automatic, 19 jewels
Movement number: 45'532
Case: stainless steel, screw-down case back
Case number: 955'521
Size: 37 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: none
Anitquorum, New York, April 2008, Lot 90
The Rolex Explorer reference 6350 holds a pivotal place in the history of Rolex as the first model to bear the Explorer designation on its dial. Introduced in 1953, the same year Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest, it followed earlier references 6150 and 6098, which were Precision models.
The reference 6350 was predominantly fitted with a honeycomb dial, as seen on the present example, featuring the correct chapter ring and OCC designation for Officially Certified Chronometer at 6 o’clock. Its robust case was engineered to withstand extreme conditions, protecting the calibre A296 movement within.
More than a technical achievement, the 6350 represents the genesis of Rolex’s professional watch lineage, paving the way for models such as the Submariner, GMT-Master, and Daytona.
The present example has aged beautifully, with its gilt signature echoed by the warm patina of the indexes, while the honeycomb dial plays elegantly with the light, adding depth and character to this rare and historically important timepiece.