{"product_id":"rolex-oyster-perpetual-ref-5501-canadian-explorer-tropical-black-honeycomb-dial","title":"Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 5501 'Canadian Explorer'  - Tropical Black 'Honeycomb' Dial","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf you boil Rolex down to its purest form, what do you get?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rolex Oyster Perpetual. This is truly the genesis for the entire Rolex brand. The very first Rolex models were called ‘Oysters’ which was owed to their innovative three part case that all screwed into each-other. That is where the fluted bezel actually derives from, being screwed down into the top of the case to secure the crystal with a gasket - as well as the grooves on the oyster case back. All makes sense now - right?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe piece that we have here is something as interesting as it is mysterious. While technically an Oyster Perpetual model, it also bears the word 'Explorer' on the dial. This Reference 5501 as well as a handful of other Oyster Perpetual references from this era also bear 'Explorer' on the dial and are believed to have been made for the Canadian market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany of these pieces, however, lack the applied 3, 6, \u0026amp;amp; 9 indices that bring the overall feel all that much closer to their 36mm sibling. This piece, as you can see, has them, along with a trove of other features that make this one of the wildest Oyster Perpetuals we have ever seen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two-tone yellow gold and steel case construction is not incredibly elusive, but finding a piece that retains its correct two-tone 'rivet' Oyster bracelet is. The Ref. 5501 also features a 'fluted' yellow gold bezel, a yellow gold crown, and yellow gold tone applied 'dart' and 'Explorer'-style quadrant indices on the dial with a matching gold-tone 'alpha' handset. The dial itself, beyond the Explorer connection, is simply outstanding. Rather than the usual sunburst or matte surface, this piece features a highly-desirable 'honeycomb' texture. But thats not all... Bring this piece into the sunlight you'll find that the once glossy black dial had changed to an absolutely stunning, rich brown color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is quite simply one of the coolest mid-century Rolex models we have ever come across, and you could say that with its's stunning dial, elusive configuration, and excellent overall condition is exceptional value relative to its siblings from the Professional or an equivalent Day-Date.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oliver \u0026 Clarke","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51616506347837,"sku":"OC3074","price":13250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0765\/6138\/3741\/files\/ROLEX_EXPLORER_BLK_2TONE_TROPICAL_WEB_1_75173cf2-63ee-49a4-a298-36b24793ae92.jpg?v=1776968594","url":"https:\/\/oliverandclarke.com\/products\/rolex-oyster-perpetual-ref-5501-canadian-explorer-tropical-black-honeycomb-dial","provider":"Oliver \u0026 Clarke Vintage Watches","version":"1.0","type":"link"}