Help with Explorer II 16550 Bezel

[jtgonzalez2]

I bought this Explorer II 16550 some time ago unfortunately with no box or papers. The seller claimed everything was original, with the only exception being the bezel which he was not sure about, as he was not the original owner. I have since had it looked at and everything checks out but I have not received a definitive answer regarding the bezel.

The serial dates the watch to 1984 and as can be seen, it is a spider/rail dial. Due to unforeseen events, I am forced to sell the watch but I have gotten mixed responses on the bezel. Some claim that the "fat numbers" is the correct one and others have told me this is the correct one.
I have seen both examples even on reputable sites like Bob's watches if you do a google search for 16550 you can see some that have been sold.

I also found online this Rolex catalogue from 1984 showing what appears to be the same bezel on a 16550 Explorer II

https://en.calameo.com/books/002325141d119739a28d9

Can anyone clarify if this is the correct bezel or a service bezel?
(Also not sure if this is considered vintage??)
Thank you,

[dhknola]

I can not confidently chime in on the bezel, but I love it! These early exp2's are as cool as they get!

[Sherbie]

Page out of 1 want a good watch brochure, England, published july 1984




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[Toronto Soup King]

Weird. Mine has the fat numbers and I always associated the thinner ones shown in the catalogue above with the 16570. If someone were to show me your watch previous to my seeing that catalogue pic, I'd've confidently told you the bezel was later. Anyway the bezel makes no big difference here, GLWS

[jtgonzalez2]

Thanks! The more I look into it, the more confused I get. I've seen people claim both versions to be original so that may actually be the case.

[Essthetix]

I have a couple 16550's from the mid to late 80's. Both have fat-font bezels. But the accompanying booklets include the 16550 with what's normally regarded as a 16570 bezel.