Rolex 16550 dial variations - white/cream dial

[Jorssen]

I’m trying to learn more about the 16550, white dial versions. From the photos I can find there seem to be 4 white dial variants:

White gold surrounds:

*T SWISS < 25 T non rail
*SWISS - T <25 non rail
*SWISS - T <25 rail

Black surrounds:

*SWISS - T <25

The SWISS - T <25 rail dial seems to be the most collectable yet most of the 16550’s have that dial. From what I found they are not the rarest dial variant. In my opinion the most beautiful though.

Is that dial version the only one that changed to the known cream/panna/ivory color?

I think the other dial variants could be more interesting (for me) since they seem to be more rare.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[rgwarden]

Photos of each please someone


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[Jorssen]

1. T SWISS <25 T - non rail



2. SWISS - T <25 non rail



3. SWISS - T <25 rail



My conclusion:

From all I have found it seems that the most wanted dial is the rail cream/ivory/panna dial. Yet, this seems to be the most common one.

Which makes it more interesting to collect the other dial variations, in my opinion.

What are your thoughts?

[Jorssen]

This would be the 4th dial variation with black surrounds and hands, least collectable:

[rgwarden]

I love them all. But on balance do prefer the white golf surrounds to the black. Sounds weird I know but I’ve never liked how my eye is drawn to the ‘symmetry’ on the Rail dials!


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[rgwarden]

So I’d probably vote for number 2


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[V.lats97nsx]

I love the cream

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[dmb359]

Any thoughts on this dial, doesn't seem to be enough discoloration for a 1988 Explorer2 does it?

Appears to be the non-rail, Swiss-T<25, white gold marker 16550 (version 2 above)

[millsubxxx]

Just been turned on to a model I've shunned for years -reminds me of an '80's Heuer for some odd reason !

[cpefy3]

Pardon my ignorance, but what constitutes a Rail dial?

[V.lats97nsx]

Originally Posted by dmb359

Any thoughts on this dial, doesn't seem to be enough discoloration for a 1988 Explorer2 does it?

Appears to be the non-rail, Swiss-T<25, white gold marker 16550 (version 2 above)

Looks as white as the date wheel

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[albaserver]

Originally Posted by cpefy3

Pardon my ignorance, but what constitutes a Rail dial?

non rail:

SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER
OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED

rail:

SUPERLATIVE  CHRONOMETER
 OFFICIALLY  CERTIFIED

[cpefy3]

Originally Posted by albaserver

non rail:

SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER
OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED

rail:

SUPERLATIVE  CHRONOMETER
 OFFICIALLY  CERTIFIED

Awesome, thanks for the information!!

[albaserver]

Originally Posted by cpefy3

Awesome, thanks for the information!!

[dmb359]

Originally Posted by v.lats97nsx

Looks as white as the date wheel

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right. shouldn't it be a little discolored if it's all original, like the other pictures of this version, or could it have held up this nice?

Just curious as it is one that I've considered buying.

[Erpin]

Does each dial correspond to a certain serial number renge?

[edhahn44]

Hi,

bumping up this thread again.
I'm currently also in the market for a 16550. There are still some open questions I could not get a firm answer on yet:

- At what year / serial number range they change from white to black surrounds?
- Do dials with black surrounds (SWISS - T <25 non rail) normally also show the creamy patina or only the ones with white surrounds?
- Is there a good overview of the dial - patina - serial number variants?

Thanks

[FrenchBigCrown]

Mine...

I like it, that's what's important.