Rolex Explorer 5500

The Rolex Explorer 5500 is one of those wild little twists in vintage watch history that you almost miss if you blink—technically an Air-King case, but built with Explorer DNA, making it a seriously cool crossover piece. Produced in the 1950s, it’s rare, a little understated, and somehow even more charming because of it. At Tropical Watch, we’re all about celebrating these low-key legends, sourcing the pieces that make collectors do a double take.