Rolex Explorer Gloss Lacquer Dial

Rolex

Explorer gloss lacquer dial

6610

circa 1956

1007**

Stainless steel 36mm. case with original screw-down winding button. Reference and serial numbers correctly stamped between the lugs. Case back engraved inside 6610 11/56 Montres Rolex SA Geneva Switzerland Patented Stainless steel.

Superb finish with original lume, signed Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer Officially Certified Chronometer SWISS.

Original gilt Mercedes hour and minute hands with original lume fill, original lollipop seconds.

Movement No. DN680700, calibre 1030

Rolex stainless steel bracelet numbered links 80 4/65

The Rolex Explorer reference 6610 is one of the early Explorer models, and a favourite amongst collectors. Originally introduced in 1959, it replaced the reference 6150. On the outside, the two watches appear nearly identical. However, its flatter back identifies this particular reference. This is due to the watch's use of the calibre 1030 mechanical movement with 25 jewels over the reference 6150's larger movement, which needed a bubble-back case to accommodate it. The 6610 gave consumers the Explorer in its most recognizable form. Made of stainless steel, the water-resistant case measures about 36 millimetres in diameter. Being an earlier Rolex model, the case is waterproof but only up to 50 meters. It accomplishes this through Rolex Oyster technology, which utilizes a screw down crown and case back. All original 6610 dials and hands are classified as “gilt”, marked by gold text (with just a few exceptions), chapter ring, and Mercedes hands. Aside from the rare albino dial, the 6610 dial is typically black, finished with a lacquer coating, and sports luminous baton markers and Arabic numbers. Pulling the look together was a stainless steel Rolex Oyster riveted bracelet with stamped clasp. Because this reference is an early Explorer model and only produced for a short time, they are exceedingly rare. It's speculated that in the five years of production, the amount of 6610s made is merely a fraction compared to the 1016. Furthermore, since the 6610 is an older reference, chances are higher that parts would be replaced during service, especially dials aggressively aged by paint defects and radium degradation. What this leads to is even smaller numbers of original and legitimate 6610 examples available on the market.