5504 Super Precision
The Explorer ref. 5504 was released in the late 50's, immediately before the more renowned ref. 1016, as an affordable alternative to Rolex certified chronometers line. For this reason, it was marked PRECISION or SUPER PRECISION at 6.
It was also the first to watch sporting the new cal.1530 movement, while the contemporary 6610 (although being certified chronometre) was still using the older cal.1030
For the rest it pretty much anticipated the features to be introduced with ref. 1016.
It had a gilt dial with closed minute track, hands were golden with lollipop seconds hand and the case was 36 mm, pretty big for the time. It was offered with the standard riveted oyster braelet ref. 7206 or the extensible one ref. 6636.
For my build I chose vietnam case set, gen crown, 2824 movement, tiger hands with big ball seconds hand and a gilt dial with nice texture. I preferred a cartel bracelet over the viet 7206 as I find the latter too short for my taste.
BTW gen 5504 are more commonly found with white painted EXPLORER and SUPER PRECISION markings, while 5500 dials with open minute track had all gilt markings. This dial seems to be in the middle, questionable from an accuracy perspective but undoubtedly beautiful imho, and in the end that's my watch
Here are a few pics I hope you can enjoy:
The Explorer ref. 5504 was released in the late 50's, immediately before the more renowned ref. 1016, as an affordable alternative to Rolex certified chronometers line. For this reason, it was marked PRECISION or SUPER PRECISION at 6.
It was also the first to watch sporting the new cal.1530 movement, while the contemporary 6610 (although being certified chronometre) was still using the older cal.1030
For the rest it pretty much anticipated the features to be introduced with ref. 1016.
It had a gilt dial with closed minute track, hands were golden with lollipop seconds hand and the case was 36 mm, pretty big for the time. It was offered with the standard riveted oyster braelet ref. 7206 or the extensible one ref. 6636.
For my build I chose vietnam case set, gen crown, 2824 movement, tiger hands with big ball seconds hand and a gilt dial with nice texture. I preferred a cartel bracelet over the viet 7206 as I find the latter too short for my taste.
BTW gen 5504 are more commonly found with white painted EXPLORER and SUPER PRECISION markings, while 5500 dials with open minute track had all gilt markings. This dial seems to be in the middle, questionable from an accuracy perspective but undoubtedly beautiful imho, and in the end that's my watch
Here are a few pics I hope you can enjoy:
