Reply With QuoteA great pair of Explorers, congratulations!
Been thinking of picking up a tritium white dial version for a while, don't think I can justify the extra either of these would command for an occasional wear. But that 1655 is stunning :drunken:
Ant
Hi All,
After a bit of a long search I've finally managed to track down a very scarce Cream 'Rail Dial' Rolex Explorer II - Model 16550.
These seem to be fetching a load of cash these days because of their rarity, but often they're in fairly 'average' condition - in my opinion this one is in exceptional 'nick'. The plots have white gold surrounds and the hands are also white gold.
Typically, whilst searching for the 16550, I came across the arguably even more rare late series (1977 / 1978) Rolex Explorer II 'Orange Hand' Model 1655. This one has a brilliant 'patina' with the plots having become a deep creamy / brown.
After digging deep into my pockets whilst trying to ignore the Euro 'kerfuffle' - Both have become welcome additions to my collection.
I hope you like them as much as I do (please forgive the poor photography skills).
A great pair of Explorers, congratulations!
Been thinking of picking up a tritium white dial version for a while, don't think I can justify the extra either of these would command for an occasional wear. But that 1655 is stunning :drunken:
Ant
The two most beautiful explo II !
The cream dial is gorgeous and pretty rare in such a stunning condition.
The second example is stunning - Well done !
Si
Cracking pair indeed. Lovely cream dial, I do love them. congratulations. Lets see the rest of the collection then 8)
Two wonderful acquisitions. I haven't seen the cream dial one before
Both lovely watches, I'm a sucker for the 1655 though, such a unique watch for Rolex, shame they're so blooming expensive.
You must have raided the piggy bank for this pair.
That 16550 is out of this world!
The 16550 is great, I love the dial.
Couple of awesome watches there nice pics also :D
That cream dial is very sweet. I hope you did not have to sell too many vital organs to fund those two!
Love that 16550 the creamy colour dial is gorgeous. It does indeed look in amazing condition too. Good catch.
Andy
Both gorgeous, can't make up my mind which one I like best. :D
Cheers,
Neil.
bl**dy hell, these are fantastic looking! What a purchase! I can safely say that I would sell a large part of my watch collection for these two.
Wear them in good health!
Menno
I'm with Tony on this, the cream dial is beautifully rare and rarely beautiful.Originally Posted by learningtofly
I'm sure you'll enjoy them. Deep pockets - I'm sure!
Good luck.
David
David
Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations
Very nice, always been a fan of the 1655 (just a shame that current values mean there are more in existence than left Rolex).
Stunning. Every time stuff like this pops up I wonder how it's possible that somebody had these lying around :drunken:
That cream dial is gorgeous.
Love them both, congrats, but that cream dial is lovely! Did it leave the factory like that?
I still keep on coming back to look at this post. That cream dial Exp II is just fab 8)
Two very nice examples indeed.
Congrats.
Nice additions Dick !!
Once again your latest purchases have stirred up a decent reaction from the cognoscenti.
Personally .. these Explorers are not my preference - but always glad to hear of those finding their 'top of my list' watches.
Enjoy - are they keepers .. or keepers for now ?
Wowsers, they are beautiful.
Excellent watches, I love the cream dial version a lot! I should put this on my wishlist 8) .
Nice pair!
Where did you manage to find the cream dial?!
I just acquired a tritium explorer II and can see myself adding a cream dial.
Are you sure that the gold surrounds are supposed to be "white" and not black?
Two beauties,
Have to say that the cream dial is just stunning, absolutely stunning. Have always loved the 1655 but given a choice I'd be taking the 16550 home.
Enjoy them both.
Michael.
Fantastic watches - for me its the 1655 everytime in terms of looks.
Do they both "wear" the same?
Two superb watches. My favourite is the cream dial and that looks like a lovely example.
The cracking pair Dick, the 16550 Rail is a snoorter. One question, do you find its difficult to read because the hands are such a good match to the dial and the white gold indexs do not exactly help - I can see why some many were replaced at service.
I find it a bit if pain on mine however I would not change it for anything. here is mine
Notice mine is not a rail like yours - mine is the uber rare :D non-hyphen version, which also have the white gold indexs.
However if I need rail I still have a black dial.
Andy
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Just answering a couple of questions.
Current opinion seems to be divided:-Love them both, congrats, but that cream dial is lovely! Did it leave the factory like that?
One camp is of the opinion that the cream dial was offered as a colour option.
The other view is that the original white paint quality was 'off' and suffered discolouration resulting in the cream.
Either way - I love the colour.
I've been searching for a 'cream' dial Explorer II for a while, it just happened that a friend of a friend mentioned that he knew the whereabouts of one.Where did you manage to find the cream dial?!
I just acquired a tritium explorer II and can see myself adding a cream dial.
Are you sure that the gold surrounds are supposed to be "white" and not black?
I wanted the 'rail' dial version in top condition and this one ticked all the boxes.
I understand that the plot surrounds and the hands should be white gold on the cream rail dial model.
For me there is absolutely no problem in reading the dial.One question, do you find its difficult to read because the hands are such a good match to the dial and the white gold indexs do not exactly help - I can see why some many were replaced at service.
Mind you, I've been wearing it for the last couple of days and keep looking at it - not to read the time - but just taking in how nice it looks !!!
Both lovely.
I'm a sucker for the 1655 so it is always great to see one of these turn up on TZ on the very rare occasions that they make an appearance.
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