THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 6610
YEAR: 1957
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 36mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL 
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

We see many pieces come through the doors at Fathom, but some stand out as particularly special—this watch is certainly one of them.

In historical context, the Explorer 6610 emerged around 1955 as the successor to the inaugural reference 6150. The 6150 itself was a tribute to the monumental achievement of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, who scaled Mount Everest in 1953. The 6610, however, enjoyed only a short production run before being replaced by the 1016 in 1960. This brevity contributes to the 6610’s rarity—especially in examples as well-preserved as this one.

The watch is in tremendous condition overall, with a full, strong case. The dial is the true highlight: its radium markers have aged to a deep pumpkin tone and remain fully intact. The long gilt hands and white seconds hand are also original to the period and retain their lume. The only two elements not correct to the reference are the crown and the bracelet, the latter being a Jubilee from the 1970s.

The movement was overhauled last year with a new mainspring fitted, and it is currently running at +6 seconds per day, with 275 amplitude and a beat error of 0.4 ms.

For the first time, we have both the 5504 and the 6610 in stock—two models seldom seen in their original state, particularly when compared with the more common later 1016.