Lot 2 | Rolex | Explorer II Cream Rail Dial

ROLEX
Explorer II Cream Rail Dial. Wristwatch.

Origin: Switzerland, Geneva.
Date: 1986.
Clockwork: Automatic, cal. 3085.
Case/Wristband: Steel, oyster strap with oyster clasp, cream-coloured dial, black/cream hands.
Total Weight: ca. 124.2 g.
Measurement: Ø 40.0 mm, length 20.5 cm.
Case-No: 8807619.
Reference-No: 16550.
Movement-No.: 1076112.
Description: Case bottom is engraved. Original box, papers, hangtag and 2 spare links enclosed.

The Rolex Explorer 2 reference 16550 was the successor to the ref. 1655 and the previous lots. Introduced in 1984, the Rolex company made several changes: In addition to a new calibre, the case was slightly enlarged to 40 mm. The dial was tidied up and, with its mixture of dot-shaped and rectangular indices, is reminiscent of the GMT or Submariner models. The bar hand, which still indicated the hours on the Steve McQueen, was replaced by a Mercedes hand. The 24-hour hand became red and could now be adjusted independently as on a GMT watch. The entire dial was protected by a sapphire crystal.
The ref. 16550 was only produced for 4 years, so there are relatively few watches of this reference, especially compared to its successor, the ref. 16570. What underlines the collector's status of the watch offered here is on the one hand the so-called cream dial. Due to a production error, the varnish on the dials of some watches became discoloured. As soon as Rolex noticed this, they offered to replace the dials for their customers. In retrospect, everyone who took up this offer made a big mistake. By replacing the cream dials, there are very few left on the market, and this increased collectability is reflected in significantly higher selling prices. This is reinforced by what is known in collectors' circles as the "rail dial", i.e. the even gap in the lower lettering. In a wonderfully even and warm shade of cream and with the rare rail dial, this Rolex is an absolute collector's item.