226570 Polar Lume vs 216570 Polar Lume

[calpenguin]

I wanted to ask a quick question that has been on my mind ever since I’ve wanted a 216570 polar (now 226570)

One reason I didn’t buy the 216570 Polar was the (unlit) color of the lume plots. Under indoor lighting it seemed like the lume plots were off-white, they didn’t match the dial at all and looked ever so slightly yellow compared to the stark white polar dial. This is especially apparent under 2700K-3200K LED lighting.

Since the 226570 came out, I think Rolex has tried to rectify the situation by using a Chromalight/SuperLuminova mix that more closely matches the stark white dial of the Polar.

I wanted to ask those who’ve had extensive time with both: does the 216570 polar lume look off-white to you? Does the 226570 polar lume match the dial?

Pictures below as an example:
https://imgur.com/1SHfuo8

[GreatScott]

It is still a little different, but it never bothers me and trust me I would be bothered if I thought it were off. Maybe the black rings break it up enough to keep my eyes from being drawn to it. I actually think it is a little bit of the glow coming through. It is a fantastic watch.

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[calpenguin]

Originally Posted by GreatScott

It is still a little different, but it never bothers me and trust me I would be bothered if I thought it were off. Maybe the black rings break it up enough to keep my eyes from being drawn to it. I actually think it is a little bit of the glow coming through. It is a fantastic watch.

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To be clear, you're talking about the 216570 right? I recently saw it at a grey dealer and under their lighting the lume plots were extremely mismatched, I guess it really has to do with the lighting huh? doesn't help that I spend so much of my time indoors :/

[CarlOver]

I prefer the 22 series because of exactly what you stated. The 21 just looked off. The current polar Explorer II is my favorite modern Rolex. Color,size and lug width is such a great package for me.

[TimeRookie]

3 handed Explorer II? 😁.
I’m really happy with my 226570. I think the lume plots look good. I’ve only had it for 2 weeks.

[calpenguin]

Originally Posted by TimeRookie

3 handed Explorer II? 😁.
I’m really happy with my 226570. I think the lume plots look good. I’ve only had it for 2 weeks.

Great photo, well-lit shots of the 21-series have a similar contrast to this photo, but it's really when the watch is under less than ideal lighting and the lume isn't pushing out too many photons is when the 21-series looks... off.

How about yours TimeRookie? when you take your 22 out of the watchbox, how does the dial look in your eyes? also, did you go grey or did you get the call from the AD?

[ErichKeane]

One of the reasons I picked the 216570 actually was the slight 'creme' tint to the lume pots. I assumed it was age related, but I think it provides a gorgeous contrast that the 226570 I handled lacked. I love the slight mismatch in color, it complements the dial really nicely in a way the 226570 looked 'too close but not close enough' for.

[77T]

The lume on either reference using Rolex’s formulary of Super Luminova could vary a bit from year to year. They don’t mean to have that happen - it’s just the chance of the chemistry for a batch.

Once you buy it, the color is very stable so I don’t see a reason to be concerned.


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[WalterE]

I find the 226 lime plots match the dial very well, actually. The "cream" look does not do it for me, but that is not a problem with the most modern iteration.

[nighthawk77]

Interesting point you raise OP, not something I’ve ever considered.

However, it looks like under daylight or bright light, the lume plots on the 226570 closely matches the dial colour, but in anything less than perfect lighting, there is a slight colour difference. I’ve tried to capture below, but the lume plots in the low lighting are ever so slightly off white.



I guess it also depends on how much ‘charge’ the plots have. One of my favourite things about this watch is how good the lume is, so if the lume is charged, it will glow in anything other than 100% daylight. You can see below a slight blueish hue. This could also give the appearance of the lume plots being slightly different colour:

[Harry-57]

My 21 lumes can look cream in some lighting conditions and match the dial in others. They charge so easily and glow for so long that in lower light conditions they often emit some blue glow even if very faint.

[TimeRookie]

Originally Posted by calpenguin

Great photo, well-lit shots of the 21-series have a similar contrast to this photo, but it's really when the watch is under less than ideal lighting and the lume isn't pushing out too many photons is when the 21-series looks... off.

How about yours TimeRookie? when you take your 22 out of the watchbox, how does the dial look in your eyes? also, did you go grey or did you get the call from the AD?

I haven’t noticed the lume plots looking off at any time. I purchased mine at an AD. I was on the list for only3 weeks. It’s the first Rolex I’ve purchased in 8 years.

[Doood]

My 216570 plots can look cream in certain lighting settings, giving it a vintage look.

New from ad in 2020. I guess I am not the only one that has noticed this.

[1William]

I prefer the 21 for the dial and hands. The lume plots make no difference to me. The hands are amazing in the 21, to me.

[GreatScott]

Originally Posted by calpenguin

To be clear, you're talking about the 216570 right? I recently saw it at a grey dealer and under their lighting the lume plots were extremely mismatched, I guess it really has to do with the lighting huh? doesn't help that I spend so much of my time indoors :/

No, the 226570

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[dba]

My 216570

[Mausbiber]

I own and prefer the BD 216570 because of the Hands.

[calpenguin]

Originally Posted by Mausbiber

I own and prefer the BD 216570 because of the Hands.

Black Dial thankfully doesn't suffer from this lume/dial mismatch, the black makes any tint of luminova look pretty white due to the dramatic contrast