Rolex Explorer ref.6610 radium

Rolex built the Explorer for one purpose: to prove reliability where everything else fails. Born from the 1953 Everest achievement, the reference line quickly evolved into a tool engineered for precision under extreme conditions—clean design, high legibility, zero nonsense. By the mid-1950s the Explorer reached one of its purest expressions: the Ref. 6610, a transitional icon that bridged early Oyster heritage with the modern 1016 philosophy.

This 6610 from 1957, serial 26x.xxx, is the type of watch serious collectors chase for decades. The gilt radium dial is nothing short of extraordinary: perfectly aged, with a deep, rich tropical transformation that only authentic radium chemistry can generate. The glossy surface still reflects light with that unmistakable vintage Rolex depth, while the gilt printing remains sharp and luxurious. The radium plots have matured into a warm, cohesive tone—exactly what you want to see on an untouched Explorer from this era.

The case tells the rest of the story: unpolished, strong lugs, original geometry, and the correct iced plexiglass, showing the natural distortions and edge reflections collectors obsess over. Even more compelling is the provenance—purchased new by a famous Italian tenor, kept by him as first owner, and preserved with surprising integrity over nearly 70 years. The watch comes with its original box, completing a historically loaded setup. The riveted steel bracelet is a 7206/58 reference (4-64).

This is not an Explorer you find twice. It’s a reference-level 6610 with the dial, condition, and provenance that define top-tier collecting.