16570 vs 16550

[harrjaso]

I got a 16570 yesterday, so I thought I would post a side by side comparison between the two. I enjoy older watches, so I am partial to the 16550 (patina, fat font on bezel, open 6 and 9) but they are both nice and way under priced imho. Which one do you guys like?








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[HogwldFLTR]

Patina must be an acquired taste; give me a working lume any time.

Here's mine...

[captkevin]

SEL and flip lock

[ExplorerChris]

http://s1266.photobucket.com/albums/...xplorerChris/?

I have a 1986 16550 and love it
I went with the black dial because I'm legally blind and for me the contrast against the black dial is better to see but the polar is awesome

[joe100]

550 all day, every day! Love them

[slim4511]

Big 16570 fan hence gets my vote.

[jcd]

I prefer the 550. One of them is high on my want list.

[tkerrmd]

Very nice, congrats, and maybe the first time I have ever seen someone say a Rolex is under priced!

[ExplorerChris]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

Very nice, congrats, and maybe the first time I have ever seen someone say a Rolex is under priced!

Totally agree
The Explorer II 16550 or 16570 is the most undervalued and underrated watch in the Rolex Professional Watch line up.

I got mine and it was just serviced by Rolex Canada less than a month before I purchased for under 4k all in. Due to my OCD I had Rolex Canada replace the crystal due to some small scratches that were causing sleepless nights and I had the hands replaced because there was no lume left but those were my choices to have done the watch would have been fine as is.
The bracelet is pristine with no stretch, and the numbers on the bezel were faded but I redid them myself and it was a very easy process.

http://s1266.photobucket.com/albums/...xplorerChris/?

[incontrol]

I really like both. The subtle differences don't make me want one more than the other. I have a late 16570 and there is lume although it is weak. I like having a Rolex in a little smaller size for a change from my new Submariner!

[harrjaso]

Originally Posted by ExplorerChris

Totally agree

The Explorer II 16550 or 16570 is the most undervalued and underrated watch in the Rolex Professional Watch line up.



I got mine and it was just serviced by Rolex Canada less than a month before I purchased for under 4k all in. have been fine as is.



http://s1266.photobucket.com/albums/...xplorerChris/?

Yep, I check sport model prices daily and get several listings from sites pushed to me on email, I rarely see any models (sports) under $5k (not to say they can't be found) and 16550 & 16570 are routinely available for under $4k and can be found all day long between $4k-$4500 (16550 cream, rail dial is the exception). They are excellent watches and a relatively great deal right now.

On the same subject, I just saw a SS Daytona zenith, circa 1991 for $8900, to me that's a heck of a deal and there are more Daytonas out there at great prices. Exciting times.


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[thomaspp]

Nice and interesting

[ExplorerChris]

Originally Posted by harrjaso

Yep, I check sport model prices daily and get several listings from sites pushed to me on email, I rarely see any models (sports) under $5k (not to say they can't be found) and 16550 & 16570 are routinely available for under $4k and can be found all day long between $4k-$4500 (16550 cream, rail dial is the exception). They are excellent watches and a relatively great deal right now.

On the same subject, I just saw a SS Daytona zenith, circa 1991 for $8900, to me that's a heck of a deal and there are more Daytonas out there at great prices. Exciting times.


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$8900 for a Daytona!!! As long as its in good shape that's a great deal
I'd expect to see $9500 to 10k for a decent one
I torn between a SS Daytona and a Sub 16613 Sunburst dial

[harrjaso]

Originally Posted by incontrol

I really like both. The subtle differences don't make me want one more than the other. I have a late 16570 and there is lume although it is weak. I like having a Rolex in a little smaller size for a change from my new Submariner!

I hear yah. irl the differences are much more noticeable.

The bezel font and patina stand out the most but here's some other small differences that add up.


16550: the white dial has a slight matte finish, 16570: the white dial is smoother and more glossy

The minute markers are thicker at the dial markers (5, 10, 15...), which is a nice contrast
End link differences

Very slight difference between minute marker thickness, hard to see without magnification


The date wheel font is much more interesting on 16550, open 6 and 9 give more classic look


Rolex crown is heavier on 16550



16570: The lack of patina in the hour markers makes them blend in with the white dial and gives the black surrounds even more thickness


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[ExplorerChris]

Love the open six and nine on the date wheel one of the features that attracted me to purchase the 16550.

[fishingbear]

I would go with the 16570

[Stewartu]

My 16550 has white gold hands and white surrounds on the face. Yours does not seem to. Or is it a photo issue?

[Rolexpharm]

I would take the one with a flip lock clasp

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Stewartu

My 16550 has white gold hands and white surrounds on the face. Yours does not seem to. Or is it a photo issue?

The white gold was painted black from about 1989, as I recall. I think the white gold markers and hands tend to be more sought after.

[harrjaso]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The white gold was painted black from about 1989, as I recall. I think the white gold markers and hands tend to be more sought after.

I am just learning about them, but I too believe that the WG were produced in fewer numbers and sell for a bit of a premium.

This one estimated to sell for $19k is cream, rail dial but has the black WG markers and hands, so what do I know?

Line on crown, which indicated WG but painted black. My 16550 and 16570 both have it.
http://thewatchlounge.com/vintagewat...ii-circa-1987/


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[Old Expat Beast]

This one belonging to Chris B is the style I would aim for if I didn't already have two 16570s.

[harrjaso]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

This one belonging to Chris B is the style I would aim for if I didn't already have two 16570s.

Nice. The white gold looks great, better to have good eyesight. I would go for the cream, rail dial too. I saw one in the forums listed at $6850 last week, totally missed that opportunity. Gotta check these forums a couple times a day if you want something rare otherwise it will be gone, no matter what the price.


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[Eric Chan]

16570. SEL's, working lume, no lug holes and flip lock. That is enough for me. My 16570 also has the 3186 movement which seals the deal for me. Although I think the larger numbers on the 16550 look better, the improvements on the 16570 are hard, if not impossible to beat.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Eric Chan

16570. SEL's, working lume, no lug holes and flip lock. That is enough for me. My 16570 also has the 3186 movement which seals the deal for me. Although I think the larger numbers on the 16550 look better, the improvements on the 16570 are hard, if not impossible to beat.

My Polar has the 3186, too. Black is a couple of years older, but both get about the same wrist time. Neither has lug holes, which is fine with me because I have gone right off NATO straps recently anyway.

[soho]

Interesting thread. 16550 for me. Really like the patina.

[HORNBLOWER]

Like both.

[princewampire]

Neither!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by princewampire

Neither!

So why are you looking for one in the Want To Buy section?

[Juggernaut]

Reserecting an old thread...
Another difference is that ALL 16570's have the notch to accept an SEL bracelet (78790A) making more bracelet options available. Correct me if I'm wrong, but none of the 16550 have the notch limiting it to hollow end link bracelets only.

(Photo borrowed from another thread)

[Juggernaut]

But man, I would love to fit my 16570 with an open 6/9 16550 date disk the I would have it all!...I'm a greedy SOB, I know!