POLL - Black or WHITE dial on Explorer II 42mm

[WatchingTime]

POLL - The Explorer II 42mm 216570 in black or white, Two beautiful watches... but there can only be one! Which one would YOU choose, if you could only own ONE!

Choose wisely... your vote counts!


Note: Choose as if you do not already own a black faced Rolex Sports watch (i.e. sub, GMT, Deep Sea)

[Kobayashi]

Polar!

[Time Exposure]

Black.
I've always had a watch with a black dial: Sea Dweller to IWC Ocean 2000 to Sub to Omega Speedy Broad Arrow. Then recently I bought a Polar EXPII from 1998. I love it. But the purchase had more to do with price/trade than the watch.
Put the Polar on the table with a Noir, or Sub, or GMT, and I'll walk away with another black dial watch.
I just don't get bored with black. I'm nearly bored with white.

[patek.wis]

Owned both - white is my preference by a mile. I mean, its not even close.
I tried to love the black but it was a) bland and; b) the floating hands didn't work.

The white however, harmony IMHO

[AmbSteve]

Love my white dial

My Explorer.jpg

[subkrawler]

Originally Posted by patek.wis

Owned both - white is my preference by a mile. I mean, its not even close.
I tried to love the black but it was a) bland and; b) the floating hands didn't work.

The white however, harmony IMHO

I agree, the phantom hands don't work for me either...they just look awkward. Now if Rolex had made the hands white, and the surrounds white, then it would be a different story.

So, with that said, it's white all the way for me.

[sea-dweller]

Black

[WatchingTime]

I just noticed that the last photo I posted of the EXP II w/black dial (in the string of photos up top) has all orange hands! This is NOT standard for the 216570, but it does look like the new 42mm??? is this the older version EXP? I actually like the all orange hands better!

[WatchingTime]

Nope... I answered my own question. It's NOT the older 16570, but I cannot find the all orange hands anywhere??? I pulled this photo somewhere off the forum... it must be photo shop?

[patek.wis]

Orange hand is 42mm explorer only. Red hand is 40mm (old style) only.
The white dial 42mm has the whole 24h hand in orange, whereas the black dial has part of the base painted gloss black to make a phantom "floating" effect. None of the blacks have an "all orange" hand as it would go against the floating theme.

[WatchingTime]

So this EXP II pictured below is courtesy of Photoshop?

[Hairdude1]

Polar!!!!

[TSW]

Black

[mmmk604]

The white dial makes the watch so much cleaner!

[Flyjet601]

I just picked up a white dial.
IMO without a doubt, the best watch in the Rolex line up to date.

[acce1999]

White for me. I have always preferred the white since I first saw the 16550, although the late night legibility is better on the black dialled Explorer II.

When it comes to the 216570, I find them too big for me. Possibly I would go for a black dialled, since it appears slightly smaller on my wrist ... but my preference, and my vote, is for the white.

Best,

A

[AH0RSEY]

I have both but polar is now my daily driver. The black is still nicely wrapped in plastic awaiting Xmas day for my present to me......

[The Waddler]

I'd actually say white for this watch (a daytona for example, I'd say black)

[aboen]

Same dilemma a few months ago…until I saw them side by side. Both are great though

[SeaDweller50]

[Psmith]

Black for me

@WatchingTime - you have researched the Exp II more thoroughly than I believe anyone has ever researched a watch on TRF. Good luck with your final decision

[travisb]

White!
I've had both but the white just takes the cake.

[Cru Jones]

[Singslinger]

White for me. It's cleaner and more eye-catching.

Black is very handsome though - the orange/black contrast is very appealing.

But I've heard that in Singapore at least, black commands a slight premium (estimated to be around US$300) over the white. It was the same with the previous model - black was perceived to be either harder to find and/or more popular.

[Bangel]

I voted white this time. I think the last time I was asked this, I chose black. I'm not sure what I'll say the next time I'm asked!

Just shows that choosing between white and black for the Explorer II is quite difficult for me. They are both great.

[Eric88]

Originally Posted by WatchingTime

So this EXP II pictured below is courtesy of Photoshop?

Nope, that is just reflections making all the hands look orange.

[warrior]

White...IMO it's a) the more distinctive and unique looking Rolex and b) more legible. The black, however, is handsome also!

[mailman]

White. The hour hand on the black dial is too stubby for me.

[Psmith]

Prince Harry has asked me to vote for white on his behalf

[crowncollection]

I like the white