How rare are those Explorer 2 Polar cream dials...

[Micha]

well, to answer my own question, since I hardly see any for sale, they must be pretty rare. Is it because the 16570 is not that popular to begin with? Or was it just a particular production run on a few dials that developed the creamy patina? Or both?
ps would love to see some pics...

[lhanddds]

I believe it was 16550s that were mostly involved with the dial problem.

[shane0mack]

The widely accepted cream dials showed up on the early transitional 16550 ExpIIs with white gold surrounds. Being a transitional, and being split up into black and white dials, AND noticing the error in the dial paint, my take is that they are pretty rare.

By the end of the 16550's run, you'll find a switch from the white gold surrounds to the current black surrounds, as well as an apparent correction in dial paint. There have been later 16550s with black surrounds with suspiciously creamed dials, which I don't think many folks here would trust. Then it gets into rail/non-rail cream dials. I've read that the non-rails are actually more rare than rails, but people tend to lean towards rails for general collectability.

The 16550 is a not-quite-as-loved reference for collectors (I know some of you are out there), so the study of cream dials is not to the level of vintage Subs and Daytonas.

[BNA/LION]

Take a look at this link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esWrUy0hx1Q

The white gold hands and the cream color dial are a great combination! My understanding is that a specific lot of dials that at that time were not made in house faded and changed color before the problem was identified and corrected. Perhaps another expert can confirm?

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by BNALION

Take a look at this link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esWrUy0hx1Q

Great link; thanks for posting.

[watchcrank]

I love them. Jedly has written good info on these. I've owned from 8mil through R rail dials and find them very wearable and somewhat unique! M

[Chris B]

I love mine , so hard not to wear it











PS

Researching the "Cream' can be a total nightmare to fully digest , & then you have to find one … so many hotchpotch & sun-bed fakes it can make your head spin

Bought mine from Jed, so don’t have the insomnia

Some great “Cream” info here

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=51708

[vintagehartmann]

Couldn't keep myself away from it!

[omitohud]

All 16550, no 16570, no fun. Lol
Here is mine, a close cousin to yours.

Rare? Don't know, but rarely seen. The explorer is one if not the most comfortable rolex to wear. Cheers



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[lhanddds]

Love these cream dials

[vcnyls]

Wow. Those are gorgeous! Might be my next watch...

[CrownMe]

Originally Posted by Chris B

I love mine , so hard not to wear it











PS

Researching the "Cream' can be a total nightmare to fully digest , & then you have to find one … so many hotchpotch & sun-bed fakes it can make your head spin

Bought mine from Jed, so don’t have the insomnia

Some great “Cream” info here

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=51708

The dial color is just heavenly

Looks great with the hand patina matching the dial. Almost makes them look like skeleton hands.

[NKflyer]

Originally Posted by omitohud

All 16550, no 16570, no fun. Lol
Here is mine, a close cousin to yours.

Rare? Don't know, but rarely seen. The explorer is one if not the most comfortable rolex to wear. Cheers



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Black surrounds with wg hands?? What's up with that?

[omitohud]

Originally Posted by NKflyer

Black surrounds with wg hands?? What's up with that?

Good catch. The place I bought it from told me that's how the owner got it. Go figure. I have a complete black surround hands lying around that I can switch, but I like it as it is. The lume matches nicely.


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[Tools]

Originally Posted by Micha

. . . Is it because the 16570 is not that popular to begin with? Or was it just a particular production run on a few dials that developed the creamy patina? Or both?
ps would love to see some pics...

As mentioned, Creams are 16550s..

It is never because the Explorer II is not popular.. Explorer II owners get their watch to last and keep them; unlike the constant flippers who gravitate towards the Subs...