Rolex 16550 1991 service dial??

[Burrost1]

Looking at a Rolex explorer 16550 dated 1988 based on its serial number.It has the fat font bezel, full Rolex service in 2008 but the dial is very white and has 'Swiss Made' in the bottom. From other watches i've seen most have the Swiss T <25 dial.
Does this mean that the watch has a service dial??
Presume that lowers the cost!

[Woody]

Swiss Made is a super luminova dial which was available from around 2000 (after the tritium dials marked T-25 they had a couple of years with dials just just marked "Swiss"). To complicate matters service replacement dials are normally also marked "Swiss". Are you sure this is a 16550 and not just a late model 16570? Might be an idea to check the serial number again. If it is a 16550 then perhaps someone just switched a later dial in at some stage - if that is the case then it will have an impact on the value to a collector but ultimately it is worth whatever you are prepared to pay for it.

[Burrost1]

Originally Posted by Woody

Swiss Made is a super luminova dial which was available from around 2000 (after the tritium dials marked T-25 they had a couple of years with dials just just marked "Swiss"). To complicate matters service replacement dials are normally also marked "Swiss". Are you sure this is a 16550 and not just a late model 16570? Might be an idea to check the serial number again. If it is a 16550 then perhaps someone just switched a later dial in at some stage - if that is the case then it will have an impact on the value to a collector but ultimately it is worth whatever you are prepared to pay for it.

Price is 2.4gbp.
Service paper from Rolex states it’s a 16550 R636xxx serial number. One owner from new!

[Woody]

Well that is not the correct dial for a 16550 so it has been changed at some stage but the bonus is that you should be able to read it in the dark!!. I guess the price (which is low in relative terms) reflects this. Down to you really. If you trust the seller and are looking to use this as a proper tool watch then it could be a good buy. If you can stretch your budget a little further then there will be better examples out there. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Burrost1]

It’s going to be a daily wearer to keep the ‘miles’ off my red 1680!

[swish77]

Nothing wrong with the dial, and it's not "incorrect." It's a Rolex service replacement.

[Burrost1]

Anyone else have any comments???

[springer]

Originally Posted by Burrost1

Anyone else have any comments???

If the watch is circa 1988, your suspicions are correct and the dial has been replaced - probably at a service at some point in the past. Tritium dials were correct used through up to 1997.

[Burrost1]

Originally Posted by springer

If the watch is circa 1988, your suspicions are correct and the dial has been replaced - probably at a service at some point in the past. Tritium dials were correct used through up to 1997.

Thanks! I presume this would drastically reduce the value of the watch?
Could you buy an old dial to put in??

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by Burrost1

Thanks! I presume this would drastically reduce the value of the watch?
Could you buy an old dial to put in??

Yes,It hurts the value pretty significantly.You could source an original dial but expect to have a Heart Attack when you see the price.

[Burrost1]

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

Yes,It hurts the value pretty significantly.You could source an original dial but expect to have a Heart Attack when you see the price.

It’s all about the patina!!! The watch hasn’t cost me much at 2.4k GBP so with a good overhaul for around 350gbp it’s happy days!
Though rather it was original!

[05carbondrz]

I think you did good,I would be a buyer at that price and I’m not even in the Market for a new Watch.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Burrost1

It’s all about the patina!!! The watch hasn’t cost me much at 2.4k GBP so with a good overhaul for around 350gbp it’s happy days!
Though rather it was original!

Tritium Explorer II dials are not that hard to find. They are probably priced around $500-$700.

[Burrost1]

Originally Posted by springer

Tritium Explorer II dials are not that hard to find. They are probably priced around $500-$700.

Really!! That’s some good news!!

[swish77]

If you're going that route, you might as well try to get a set of tritium hands too, ideally with matching (or close) patina. Presumably, the hands were also changed at service.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by swish77

Nothing wrong with the dial, and it's not "incorrect." It's a Rolex service replacement.

Just to clarify, what I was trying to say (perhaps not very well) is that the dial is not "incorrect" but it is not the dial that would have been on this watch when first sold. Most of the service dials I have seen are just marked "Swiss" but others on here have far more knowledge than me.

OP - You can source a correct dial and handset, just depends how much effort and cash you want to spend. Sometimes it is a better option to search for another example that fits your requirements.......but sourcing parts and getting the watch how you would like it can also be a lot of fun. Good luck.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Woody

Just to clarify, what I was trying to say (perhaps not very well) is that the dial is not "incorrect" but it is not the dial that would have been on this watch when first sold. Most of the service dials I have seen are just marked "Swiss" but others on here have far more knowledge than me.

OP - You can source a correct dial and handset, just depends how much effort and cash you want to spend. Sometimes it is a better option to search for another example that fits your requirements.......but sourcing parts and getting the watch how you would like it can also be a lot of fun. Good luck.

Maybe just semantics, but a dial that Rolex installs in any watch is not wrong or incorrect. It’s just a service replacement, like the one in the OP’s watch. Sure, we all prefer the original dial, but tracking down an original-style dial is doable for the Explorer IIs without breaking the bank.

[Burrost1]

Originally Posted by swish77

Maybe just semantics, but a dial that Rolex installs in any watch is not wrong or incorrect. It’s just a service replacement, like the one in the OP’s watch. Sure, we all prefer the original dial, but tracking down an original-style dial is doable for the Explorer IIs without breaking the bank.

Thanks! Took the watch to my Rolex dealer, all checks out and service inscribed on case back. Pressure checked so good to go. At 2.4k gbp that's one cheap Rolex sports!!
Thanks again guys!!

[RichardF]

The Rolex Explorer II had problems with some of the early dials not glowing. Rolex did replace a lot of them with the luminova. This could be the reason you have this dial. I wouldn’t worry about it.

[Tools]

Looks like a nice watch..

The 16550 was only made for a few years and so any of them have excellent potential.

If it had an original cream-dial, then it is a shame to have changed it although there is little that could be done now. One of those would be difficult and expensive to find.

[Jocke]

If I was looking for a 16550 so should it have a Tritium dial, that is the difference from a 16570. If I want a Luminova dial so is the 16570
a better option IMHO.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by Burrost1

Thanks! Took the watch to my Rolex dealer, all checks out and service inscribed on case back. Pressure checked so good to go. At 2.4k gbp that's one cheap Rolex sports!!
Thanks again guys!!

Hope you enjoy the watch