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Old 15 March 2018, 01:00 PM   #1
mrsentinel
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The Famed Rolex Explorer 5500

I am interested in this watch, but I have read the other rolexforums posts about it. From my reading, the "famed" Rolex Explorer 5500 is technically an Air King case with an Explorer dial. I am obviously skiddish about buying such a watch when have no clue what price is even fair for such an obscure piece. Other Rolex watches seem straightforward with their pricing based on condition. With these watches it seems like the potential for abuse is rampant. I am also new to the way lume ages and whether something is a re-dial or it is the natural method of aging. I have seen some explorer dials labeled as gilt that are the lovely yellow look. Others are labeled as tritium with white paint that don't seem to look aged at all. This dial and hands are really white which kinda dings re-dial to me. The case seems to be scuffed up as if it was never touched. Wouldn't make sense to me to re-dial and put on new hands with a watch case and bracelet that are so scratched. Would anyone be so kind as to look at this dial and condition of this watch and let me know what you think? Seller wants $3500.
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Old 15 March 2018, 01:35 PM   #2
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Can you give us the serial number? Its between the lugs...
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Old 15 March 2018, 01:52 PM   #3
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7247566
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Old 15 March 2018, 02:02 PM   #4
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the scratches and scuffs look right for a watch produced in 1981. I can't really tell if the dial has had a re-lume but I would think that the original lume wouldn't be so bright white on a 37 year old watch.
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Old 15 March 2018, 02:22 PM   #5
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Text looks redone
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Old 15 March 2018, 07:31 PM   #6
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The 5500 is a pretty good deal considering what it’s older brother the 1016 is going for nowadays. Of course, it’s 34mm is not for everyone and the 5504 is a better option for those who want the “classic” Explorer proportions at 36mm. The one image you provided is poor and does not make it easy to judge authenticity. The scratched crystal distorts the text, making it seem uneven. The white tritium is not at all uncommon in matt dial 1016’s and should not be a red flag for the 5500 either. I would be very surprised if this dial turns out to be redone. I would be more concerned about case condition.. would be great to see better photo’s from different angles.
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Old 15 March 2018, 07:34 PM   #7
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very informative thread..

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...=5500+explorer
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Old 15 March 2018, 08:18 PM   #8
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I have a number of these.

I suggest that you have a look at a much better macro photograph of the coronet and upper text on that dial...
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Old 16 March 2018, 01:12 AM   #9
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Best macro shot they had (see attached). Really scratched up dial, case/everything (see other pic). The seller insists that a jeweler check its authenticity. The seller is NOT a watch person though so they are blindly going off a jeweler which could be a good or bad thing. The bracelet looks like it has a 55 on it which I believe coincides with an air king from references I found. Based on the post about 5500 explorers the date range is 1958 to 1967. That serial number I posted puts it in the right range. The only reason I find this watch promising is the fact it is completely scratched up. Perfectly polished bracelets/cases make you wonder about them being a re-dial.
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Old 16 March 2018, 01:37 AM   #10
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I wrote a long reply and it didn't post. Oh well. Attached a macro picture and the picture of the bracelet. The bracelet has the number 55 on it (hard to make out). I believe that corresponds to an Air King. The serial number falls in the proper range of 1958 to 1967. I am not familiar with what an Air King case from that period should look like as SkyKing31 mentioned. I suppose I expected more patina on the dial, but it looks like white painted tritium has various ways of aging. It is possible they replaced the dial and hands at some point, but it had to have been a long time ago with the amount of scratches from daily wear on this piece. I guess the question I have for the old pros here is whether you think this piece is a re-dial/new hands or you think it is original? Without clear photos it is tough of course.
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Old 16 March 2018, 02:49 AM   #11
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The coronet looks so tiny compared to other ones I have seen. Some argue the small coronet is the authentic one since it closely mirrors the 1016. Picture comparison of dials:
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Old 16 March 2018, 05:02 AM   #12
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I am no expert other than a fan. Neat watch.
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Old 16 March 2018, 06:46 AM   #13
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If that is real [and there's nothing to point to it not being genuine] it's a huge bargain, and will be a beautiful piece after a sympathetic service/ gentle refurb.
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Old 16 March 2018, 06:57 AM   #14
dhknola
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Is the one in the red background the one for sale on a large auction web site right now (the one that rhymes with Deejay)?
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Old 16 March 2018, 07:00 AM   #15
1675-David
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Is the serial 7 mil or is this a typo?
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Old 16 March 2018, 07:21 AM   #16
mrsentinel
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Probably a typo the seller made on the serial (extra 6?). And yes, this is a fleabay watch. I don't think anyone is fooled by not checking ebay whenever someone asks about a watch here. I can't post links since my account is new. I am posting this to learn more about this model and why it is so much cheaper than a 1016. It is definitely a gamble. These are 100% Air Kings. Any of them with an explorer dial could possibly be an Air King with an explorer aftermarket dial on it. You can pick those dials up for $100 from a place I found. So when you look at the condition of the watch in terms of it being an Air King it would be worth only around $1k to $1,500 maybe. The only real way to prove it was sold as an explorer is paperwork which hardly any have. After a lot of googling and looking at the other thread, there are a ton of different dial variations with people who claim they are the real deal 5500 explorer. The funny thing is that the TRF member who posted that 5500 thread was plagiarized all around the internet. Seems like you can't prove beyond a reasonable doubt that these are guaranteed original. The dials, hands, movement, case, etc may be original but that doesn't mean it wasn't cobbled together. I think I will steer clear of the 5500 altogether since it is so easy for someone to convert an Air King.
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Old 16 March 2018, 07:32 AM   #17
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^^^This.
It seems that Air King 5500's have been routinely cannibalized to create these 5500 "Explorers".

While Rolex at one point may have made a 5500 Explorer, I would not touch one unless it was a full kit with papers because it seems that 99%+ of the "5500 Explorers" are nothing more than Air King cases with these after market dials and as someone in this thread has pointed out, a molested AirKing case and movement with an aftermarket 'Explorer' dial is worth far less than $3500.
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Old 16 March 2018, 07:40 AM   #18
mrsentinel
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Does Rolex keep data on the watches they sell? Is there a way to run the serial number against a database to prove it is an Air King or an Explorer 5500?
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Old 16 March 2018, 09:08 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrsentinel View Post
Does Rolex keep data on the watches they sell? Is there a way to run the serial number against a database to prove it is an Air King or an Explorer 5500?
If they do, they never have and, likely, never will reveal those data.
Which all points to what the members posted above: buying one is a big risk.
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Old 16 March 2018, 06:18 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dhknola View Post
^^^This.
It seems that Air King 5500's have been routinely cannibalized to create these 5500 "Explorers".

While Rolex at one point may have made a 5500 Explorer, I would not touch one unless it was a full kit with papers because it seems that 99%+ of the "5500 Explorers" are nothing more than Air King cases with these after market dials and as someone in this thread has pointed out, a molested AirKing case and movement with an aftermarket 'Explorer' dial is worth far less than $3500.
An alternative, for anyone interested in this or any other model, is to put the time and research into identifying correct dials.

Haywood
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