Explorer ll 16550

[r shea]

I have a Explorer ll 16550 which I bought new in 1986. I was living and working in Hong Kong and the regional headquarters for Rolex was in my building. Through them I bought my cream colored Explorer ll. I understand now that the cream dials are actually very rare.
anyone know how many cream dial Explorers were sold? I also understand that the cream color was somewhat by accident as they quickly moved to the polar white dial along with the black dial. How long was the cream dial in production?
any other historical tidbits of detail ? What are these watches valued for today?

[RyanPrasad]

Originally Posted by r shea

I have a Explorer ll 16550 which I bought new in 1986. I was living and working in Hong Kong and the regional headquarters for Rolex was in my building. Through them I bought my cream colored Explorer ll. I understand now that the cream dials are actually very rare.
anyone know how many cream dial Explorers were sold? I also understand that the cream color was somewhat by accident as they quickly moved to the polar white dial along with the black dial. How long was the cream dial in production?
any other historical tidbits of detail ? What are these watches valued for today?

Fantastic Watch. Cream dials are very rare and highly collectable. Curious, was it cream when you bought it new or did it transition?

These specific examples only were around for a short while before they transitioned the model, the most accurate examples have the rail and the silver WG surrounds. Here's a bit more info: http://www.woundforlife.com/2015/04/...orer-ii-16550/

Also in terms of value. These are highly fakeable and there are alot of "funny ones" luking about, i would suggest you find the original bracelet and whatever paperwork, boxes, tags you might still have.

If you bought it directly from Rolex in 1986 any receipts would spike the value up tremendously.

[r shea]

I bought this with the cream dial. I have heard stories that white dials turn cream colored over time but this has never changed from the day I bought it in 1986. I liked the cream dial look over the black dial. I guess I made the right choice. I have owned it since new and have all the paper work and original SS bracelet. I took the pictures in my first post while I was changing to a new Rubber B strap.
Thanks for the informative link.

[BNA/LION]

Congratulations! Beautiful 61550 Explorer II Cream "Rail" Dial!

I have a "Non-Rail" Cream Dial and I really love wearing it.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=459841

[RyanPrasad]

Originally Posted by r shea

I bought this with the cream dial. I have heard stories that white dials turn cream colored over time but this has never changed from the day I bought it in 1986. I liked the cream dial look over the black dial. I guess I made the right choice. I have owned it since new and have all the paper work and original SS bracelet. I took the pictures in my first post while I was changing to a new Rubber B strap.
Thanks for the informative link.

Shea if you want to be a champion you should post some pics of the braclet and whatever parts of the fullset you have, you can cover up the parts you want.

Cream dial 16550's are rare and hard to verify as there are so many fakes floating around. We really rely on the community to come in with verified examples that will serve as reference for us

[r shea]

Happy too. I am out of town for a couple of weeks and will do it when I get back.