Rare 1953 Rolex Explorer 6298 Black Gilt Dial Large Bubbleback

  • Sale
  • Regular price $0.00


Extremely rare and beautiful 1953 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer reference 6298 released the same year Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary first summited Mount Everest.  Also of the same year the first Explorer with the famous 3-6-9 dial configuration was produced, model reference 6350 (sold here by Phillips Auctions, consigned through Meticulous Watches in December 2020).  A truly important piece of Rolex history, this example features a gorgeous matte black stepped dial with gilt printing, fantastic applied Rolex coronet at 12:00 with missile shape hour markers and inner minute track, signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Explorer, Shock-Resisting, Swiss. The large 36mm bubbleback case is virtually identical to the 6350 and in excellent condition, lightly polished in its time but with light surface wear from gentle wear since. A truly stunning Explorer in wonderful honest condition from one of the most important years in Rolex history.

Circa: 1953

Style: Sport

Case:  Solid stainless steel case measuring 36mm in diameter excluding the original signed Rolex Brevet + crown which screws down nicely to the case.  Stamped between the lugs at 12:00 Brevet + 6298, then at 6:00 with the serial number 974XXX, Modele Depose.  The case has been refinished (polished/brushed) at some point and now shows light surface wear from gentle use, no major imperfections and looks gorgeous on the wrist.  Stamped inside the case back Geneva, Swiss, Montres Rolex SA, 6298, IV 53, 18.  Comes on a nicely matched black genuine leather 20mm strap.

Dial: Gorgeous factory original black dial with beautiful light even patina giving it that perfect subtle tropic feel.  Outer applied missile shape markers and fancy coronet at 12 have aged to a lovely bronze colour which matches the condition of the dial to perfection.  The Rolex logo is also applied with gilt printed minute track and signature.  The original alpha style hands are also in excellent condition although not as aged as the markers on the dial.

Movement: Rolex in-house designed and manufactured calibre A296 automatic movement in excellent working condition, freshly serviced and keeping great time.  Some brassing is visible on the movement plates where the rhodium finish has come off during services in the past, but this does not affect performance.