The Rolex Explorer II

[iliketime]

how did you guys decide, between black or white, its such a tough choice! i bought it in black, and had to return it cause of its sketchy origins. now im leaning towards the white dial

[capote]

Originally Posted by iliketime

how did you guys decide, between black or white, its such a tough choice! i bought it in black, and had to return it cause of its sketchy origins. now im leaning towards the white dial

I like them both but when I was in the market to buy one I went with white. It does set it apart from the common black dial sport watches.

[iliketime]

Originally Posted by capote

I like them both but when I was in the market to buy one I went with white. It does set it apart from the common black dial sport watches.

indeed, thats probably why I want to get the white dial, all of my other watches, have either black or grey dials except the Norman which is more champagne colored.

[Ru4scuba]

Went black b/c I believe it's more versatile (easy to wear with a suit or jeans), but love them both and it's a tough call. In fact, as I seriously contemplate a LVc sub next, I occasionally get the idea to buy whitey instead...

Good luck and post pics!

[stabilizer81]

Hi Folks -- this is my first ever post and after scouring the site I've still not found the answer, so here's to hoping this is additive for the community. Pics are attached, and my question is...

I've got an 888* serial number 16550 cream/rail dial (believe ~1985), and since acquiring it, it's become my absolute favorite watch, but I've noticed the 24hr hand is whiter than the other hands (and markers, the lume of which match the hour, minute and seconds hands perfectly). It's the only component that glows (green) which has led me to believe it's not tritium (the glow color appears to be luminova). This initially caused me to believe it is not original.

HOWEVER, every pic I can find of cream dial 16550's (including many in threads in forums here) has a 24hr hand that looks whiter or having less patina than the other hands and markers. So THIS has led me to suspect that MAYYYBE, in particular because this is a transitional piece after all, that the 24hr hand could have *originally* been luminova or some other formula besides the tritium used for the other hands and markers at the time (that has remained white). For this watch or any GMT in the past, does anyone know if Rolex could have used 24hr hands with lume that differs from the others, in original production?

Is this a crazy thought? Before you slap me silly, double check pics of other 16550's. And owners of them, take a look at your 24hr hand lume in good light to compare, and see what you think. And if you still think I'm crazy, feel free!

I would really appreciate any and all guidance here. Thanks for such great information and maintaining a thriving community.

[stabilizer81]

Originally Posted by stabilizer81

...So THIS has led me to suspect that MAYYYBE, in particular because this is a transitional piece after all, that the 24hr hand could have *originally* been luminova or some other formula besides the tritium used for the other hands and markers at the time (that has remained white). ...

Clarification: I'm aware Rolex did not begin using luminova until the 90's. Sorry for any confusion. Any insight you all may have would be much appreciated!

[socali90802]

Good evening all,
I have a question that I'm having issues getting answered. I just bought a 16570 with a black dial that has the Rolex symbol and line on the crown (indicating SS). What I can't understand is there is a circle in the first point of the Rolex symbol and a circle or square at the beginning of the line indicating SS. Has anyone come across this?
Thanks!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by socali90802

Good evening all,
I have a question that I'm having issues getting answered. I just bought a 16570 with a black dial that has the Rolex symbol and line on the crown (indicating SS). What I can't understand is there is a circle in the first point of the Rolex symbol and a circle or square at the beginning of the line indicating SS. Has anyone come across this?
Thanks!

The line doesn't signify Stainless Steel, but that it is a Twinlock crown..

The "circles" that you see are where the crown has been overpolished and burned through the Stainless Steel cap that is formed around the inner solid core.

[socali90802]

Thanks for the reply. This is my first Rolex (and very excited). Is there anything that I should be worried about? Or should I have the crown replaced? Thanks again!

Originally Posted by Tools

The line doesn't signify Stainless Steel, but that it is a Twinlock crown..

The "circles" that you see are where the crown has been overpolished and burned through the Stainless Steel cap that is formed around the inner solid core.

[G-Web]

Jared,

First off, congrats on your 16550, it's a real beauty.
Given that the manufacture of your watch precedes the introduction of Luminova by a good few years, I think your 24 hound is almost certainly tritium, unless it's a Luminova replacement that someone installed during service.

For what it's worth, the tritium lume on my last 16550 still glowed faintly at night. So maybe yours still has some juice left.

All the best,
-GW

[stabilizer81]

Thank you GW!

[stabilizer81]

Originally Posted by G-Web

Jared,

First off, congrats on your 16550, it's a real beauty.
Given that the manufacture of your watch precedes the introduction of Luminova by a good few years, I think your 24 hound is almost certainly tritium, unless it's a Luminova replacement that someone installed during service.

For what it's worth, the tritium lume on my last 16550 still glowed faintly at night. So maybe yours still has some juice left.

All the best,
-GW

Thank you sir!

[skydriver]

Absolutely one of the most beautiful and subdued watches every made. Like the curves of a beautiful woman, the curves and lines of this watch have never been matched.

[Richard Carver]

I thought I had posted in every EXII thread on the internet yet here's another. Love my 1991 X serial. It has become my daily because of comfort and legibility, just a great watch. I wear it on leather and Natos exclusively.

[Submariner*]

Next on on my list . Thanks for the info

[Nsx_23]

That display case bask is cool.

[DECR]

Just back from RSC. Good as new.

[ched]

i had one but lost it.am hoping to buy a new one,i really miss my watch

[socali90802]

Here is a photo

[henrikh]

I have heard that some of the latest 16570 got an AR-coating under the cyclops. In particularly on the versions with the thinner hour indices. Anyone know this to be true and if there is a reliable way to know if the cyclops has an AR-coating?

[douglasf13]

Coming from a DateJust and SubDate, among other watches, I finally feel like I've found the right combination of fit, size and under-the-radar looks. I love the 16570.

[218225]

This is explorer country for me. 15cm of snow here in Kista sweden.

[relaxer7]

Really useful thread... learning a lot here!

[Pharaoh_83]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNcOokwBaw-/

This is a post on how to use the watch as a solar compass. NEAT!

[KrismanX]

That jubilee though

[FTE2014]

I like the jubilee :)

[Thrasher36]

[Ragu]

This has been my go to daily watch since I purchased it over 10 yrs ago, what's not to love about it?
My GMT is for special occasions.

[shawndww]

What drives me crazee about this watch

Is that no matter what watch I put on it always last less than a day. This one is always back on my wrist.

I don't know how to describe it. When you put it up against the other watches, imho it is the ugliest of the bunch. Put it on my wrist and it becomes my favorite???

I have some sort of love / hate relationship with it. Definitely a daily beater :)

[Gerardus]

Originally Posted by shawndww

What drives me crazee about this watch

Is that no matter what watch I put on it always last less than a day. This one is always back on my wrist.

I don't know how to describe it. When you put it up against the other watches, imho it is the ugliest of the bunch. Put it on my wrist and it becomes my favorite???

I have some sort of love / hate relationship with it. Definitely a daily beater :)

x2