Rolex Explorer II 1655 and GMT-Master among luxury watches at auction in Lichfield
June 25th, 2021
Rolex Explorer II 1655 and GMT-Master among luxury watches at auction in Lichfield
A LITTLE-SEEN and unmistakably 1970s Rolex is amongst the luxury watches featuring in Richard Winterton Auctioneer’s sale on Monday, July 5.Lot 139, a 1973 stainless steel Rolex Explorer II reference 1655, calibre 1570, comes to auction from a private collection.
Less popular commercially when launched as a companion to the venerated Explorer model, the Explorer II has the distinctive orange 24 hour hand, originally intended to help the intrepid wearer keep track of day and night in lieu of the sun – or in places where there is no nightfall.
This model has ‘floating’ hour and minute hands – straight rather than the Mercedes style adopted on subsequent incarnations of the Explorer II – and the sections nearer the centre are coloured black to match the dial, which is edged with a checkered motif similar to the racing flag design found on some Omega Speedmasters.
A large triangle marker at 12 o'clock, cyclops eye for the date aperture at 3 o’clock and ‘frog foot’ coronet mark this model out as a watch which is somehow simultaneously atypical of the brand and quintessentially Rolex.
The 1973 stainless steel Rolex Explorer II has a distinctive orange 24 hour hand, originally intend to help the intrepid wearer keep track of day and night in lieu of the sun.It is in fine functioning condition and comes on the original Oyster bracelet, also in good condition. Estimated at £10,000-£12,000.
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This sale also features a 1985 Rolex GMT-Master model number 16750 calibre 3075 (Lot 138 est. £9,000-£12,000), other vintage Rolex and Omega timepieces plus a range of military wristwatches to include ‘Dirty Dozen’ models by Eterna and Record.
A 1985 Rolex GMT-Master with the iconic blue and red 'Pepsi' dial and red arrow 24 hour hand.Going under the hammer on the same day are a mysterious set of rare Manx 10p coins which may be the only mint examples left in existence, a large collection of silver and an array of gem set jewellery including diamond rings worth thousands of pounds.
Left: Lot 137, an Omega Constellation chronometer (est. £400-£600). Right: Lot 146, an Omega Seamaster Cosmic (est. £200-£300).There is also an impressive collection of prestige Royal Doulton figures replete with rare colourways and limited editions, further ceramics by Lladró, Beswick, Border Fine Arts and Disney and a fine selection of vintage Corgi toy vehicles.
Left: Lot 141, a lady's Ebel Beluga steel and diamond wristwatch (est. £600-£800). Right: Lot 142, a lady's 18ct gold Jaeger-LeCoultre Hermes watch (est. £300-£400).Day Two of the sale features antique and modern design furniture.