Vintage
Emmanuel, known as 'quattro' on WatchProSite, delves into the rare Patek Philippe Ref. 2441, affectionately dubbed the 'Eiffel Tower.' This article explores the watch's distinctive case design, historical significance, and the subtle nuances that captivate discerning collectors. Emmanuel's personal reflections on wrist fit and aesthetic appeal offer invaluable insights into the practicalities of collecting such a unique vintage reference.
Rolex Air-King Reference 5500
The Reference 5500 represents the black dial steel variant within the Air-King model range. Produced from 1972 to 1989, this reference spans nearly two decades of Rolex's catalog, offering the Air-King configuration in stainless steel construction with contrasting black dial presentation.
The 34mm stainless steel case houses the automatic Caliber 1520 movement, providing 42-48 hours of power reserve. The watch features a fixed bezel, acrylic crystal, and 100-meter water resistance. The black dial is paired with a steel bracelet, creating a monochromatic steel and black aesthetic throughout the watch.
This reference appeals to collectors seeking vintage Rolex pieces from the 1970s and 1980s production era. The 34mm case size and automatic movement position it as an accessible entry point within vintage Rolex collecting, while the extended production period means examples can be found across various condition grades and price points.
Fine difference between the tower and pagoda. Although a shaped watch with ractangular features, the differences (such as lugs) are huge vs your gondolo. Not all shaped ractanguar pieces evolve similar emotions !
from what I've seen online, the Pagoda is a little larger than the Eiffel (29,2 x 40,3 mm vs 25 x 41 mm) and, of course, the dial is different. And, yes, this case shape is completely different from my 5098P and it really speaks to me less (which is a good thing ;-) ). Best, Emmanuel
I am not sure if this is the Rose gold or just Yellow gold but the hue of the gold is very appealing as is the dial layout and case shape which altogether add up to a very beautiful watch. Thank you for your detailed post with all the information about these watches. Marc
Do you know why is this called the Eiffel Towerβ¦is it due to the four corners of the case?
Love at first sight, of you will. At the same time the shape is such that I would most certainly need to try whether it translates to an acceptable fit on the wrist ππ»π€π» Thanks for sharing this beauty ππ»ππ»ππ»
The YG model on that brown strap looks very modern, shockingly so!
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