Description
| Manufacturer: | Rolex |
| Item Number: | 161963 |
| Nickname: | Rolex Polar |
|
Condition: |
Vintage |
| Model Name/Number: | Explorer II Ref 16550 “Cream Dial” |
| Serial: | 8452XXX |
| Year: |
Circa 1984 |
| Gender: | Men’s |
| Movement: | Automatic 3085 |
| Case: | Stainless steel 40mm case; back of caseback is stamped “16550”. Serial and reference numbers are visible. |
| Dial: | Cream dial with tritium lume hands and hour markers |
| Bracelet: | Stainless steel 78360 Oyster with 12 links and 501 end links. The back of clasp is stamped “CP12” indicating it is a later replacement. |
Vintage Watch Condition Examination:
This 16550 is in overall excellent vintage condition. The case is in great condition with light wear; it appears to have been lightly polished. The bezel is in overall excellent condition with light wear. The dial is in excellent condition and has aged to a lovely creamy color throughout. The lume on the dial and in the hands have developed patina and aged to an attractive creamy, ivory color. The hands and white gold surrounds have developed some patina. The bracelet is in overall great condition with light stretch between the links.
Description: Vintage Rolex Explorer II Ref 16550
Reference 16550 played an integral role in the Rolex Explorer II’s history. When it came to market in the mid-1980s, it was the first reference in the series to feature a larger 40mm case, an upgraded scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and a higher-beat caliber 3085 Perpetual movement. The 16550 was also the first Explorer II to sport the now-standard Mercedes-style hands and dial with dot, triangle, and baton hour markers. It was also the first Explorer II to offer a white dial which is something Rolex still offers today. The reference 16550 was pretty short lived, only available from approximately 1984 to 1989 when it was replaced by the ref. 16570.
This circa 1984 example is referred to as a “Cream dial” because the white dial has aged to a creamy ivory color due to a paint defect. This is something we see with these 1980s white dial 16550s and collectors gravitate towards these because of it. We often see these 16550s with rail dials, but this one does not have that specific text placement at the bottom of the dial which is interesting, we actually see less of this variation. In addition this example features the older style bezel with “box” zeros adding to the overall striking character of the watch.
These 16550’s with the cream dial are some of the most sought after vintage sports watches from the 1980s and we see the demand for them still climbing.
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