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Dreamin · 4 September 2021, 09:43 PM

Hi Everyone,

I was hoping to leverage the experience of vintage collectors/sellers here; this is a 16550 exp 2 I’m looking to purchase.

Does anything seem off about it relative to what its original parts should be?

My initial thought at first glance was how the dial itself has no cream color and the hour markers have started to patina.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Dan S · 5 September 2021, 12:00 AM

I don't know if there is a problem with the dial, but the hands are super-luminova replacements and the case has been heavily polished in spots, apparently to address some damage (you can also see some damage on the bezel, the watch probably hit the ground hard at some point). These condition issues do affect the value of the watch.

Richard Carver · 5 September 2021, 12:15 AM

What is the condition of the indices? I can't tell from the pics.Naturally occurring patina leaves the markers in perfect condition, artificial means can cause collapse, pitting, powdering, all sorts of nastiness. Not making accusations just be careful.

swish77 · 5 September 2021, 12:49 AM

Good points above. In general, not an attractive example. The mismatch of dial/hands patina would bug me.

Either way, make sure you get a UV photo of the dial. I'd want to try to confirm that the heavy patina on the hour markers occurred naturally.

saxo3 · 5 September 2021, 02:31 AM

I would not like the dial and hands.
The case I couldn't accept either.
Search for a better watch.

Tavli3 · 5 September 2021, 04:02 AM

Hard pass. Watch looks like it fell into garbage disposer.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BNA/LION · 5 September 2021, 04:19 AM

Pass for me because I'm not a fan of the color of the markers and the hands do not match.

G3Z · 5 September 2021, 04:39 AM

The finish is almost like chrome instead of brushed..

Dreamin · 5 September 2021, 06:01 AM

I really appreciate everyone’s feedback. Can anyone explain what to look for under UV lighting and naturally occurring patina?

BNA/LION · 5 September 2021, 06:09 AM

I set my sights on a Cream Dial Exp II and eventually got one. If you are looking for a 16550 1985-1988 this link might be of help... There are a lot of different looks and color variations. GOOD LUCK and Happy Searching!

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

AJMarcus · 5 September 2021, 10:08 PM

That entire watch looks wrong to me. Even the steel looks odd. Looks like an Asian market special. I’d move along.

swish77 · 5 September 2021, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamin

I really appreciate everyone’s feedback. Can anyone explain what to look for under UV lighting and naturally occurring patina?

You want evenness and a uniform “white-ish” reaction of the tritium on the hour markers, but not an actual glow. If the markers are completely dead under the UV, that’s not a great sign.

If you search UV photos of vintage Rolexes, there are numerous posts here and photos online.

JBZ · 6 September 2021, 07:47 AM

I’m an Exp II fan. The heart wants what it wants, but I don’t see the appeal of a 16550 over a 16570 other than a nice cream dial version (which comes with a hefty price).

My feeling is if you’re looking like for a cream dial 16550, keep looking. If you’re looking for a nice polar dial 40mm Exp II, I’d look for a 16570.

5 September 2021, 12:00 AM	#2
Dan S 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 6,024	I don't know if there is a problem with the dial, but the hands are super-luminova replacements and the case has been heavily polished in spots, apparently to address some damage (you can also see some damage on the bezel, the watch probably hit the ground hard at some point). These condition issues do affect the value of the watch. __________________ @oldwatchdan on IG

5 September 2021, 02:31 AM	#5
saxo3 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: . Posts: 2,774	Any warning signs here? 16550 Exp2 I would not like the dial and hands. The case I couldn't accept either. Search for a better watch.

5 September 2021, 04:19 AM	#7
BNA/LION 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Larry Location: San Diego, CA Watch: ROLEX Posts: 25,269	Pass for me because I'm not a fan of the color of the markers and the hands do not match. __________________ ✦ 28238 President DD 18K/YG ✦ 16610LN SS Sub ✦ 16613 18K/SS Serti ✦ 16550 Exp II Non-Rail Cream Dial ✦ Daytona C 116500 ✦ 126710 BLRO GMT-Master II ✦ NEXT-->? ⛳ Hole In One! 10/3/19 DMCC 5th hole, par 3, 168 yards w/ 4-Iron.

5 September 2021, 06:09 AM	#10
BNA/LION 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Larry Location: San Diego, CA Watch: ROLEX Posts: 25,269	Any warning signs here? 16550 Exp2 I set my sights on a Cream Dial Exp II and eventually got one. If you are looking for a 16550 1985-1988 this link might be of help... There are a lot of different looks and color variations. GOOD LUCK and Happy Searching! https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=459841 __________________ ✦ 28238 President DD 18K/YG ✦ 16610LN SS Sub ✦ 16613 18K/SS Serti ✦ 16550 Exp II Non-Rail Cream Dial ✦ Daytona C 116500 ✦ 126710 BLRO GMT-Master II ✦ NEXT-->? ⛳ Hole In One! 10/3/19 DMCC 5th hole, par 3, 168 yards w/ 4-Iron.

5 September 2021, 12:15 AM	#3
Richard Carver "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: US Posts: 2,237	What is the condition of the indices? I can't tell from the pics.Naturally occurring patina leaves the markers in perfect condition, artificial means can cause collapse, pitting, powdering, all sorts of nastiness. Not making accusations just be careful.

5 September 2021, 12:49 AM	#4
swish77 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Aaron Location: CT/NYC Watch: ing the time! Posts: 6,853	Good points above. In general, not an attractive example. The mismatch of dial/hands patina would bug me. Either way, make sure you get a UV photo of the dial. I'd want to try to confirm that the heavy patina on the hour markers occurred naturally.

5 September 2021, 04:02 AM	#6
Tavli3 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Real Name: Jim Location: miami Watch: GMT II 16760 Posts: 1,676	Hard pass. Watch looks like it fell into garbage disposer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

5 September 2021, 04:39 AM	#8
G3Z "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: United Kingdom Watch: Omega, Rolex etc.. Posts: 316	The finish is almost like chrome instead of brushed..

5 September 2021, 06:01 AM	#9
Dreamin "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: NC Posts: 30	I really appreciate everyone’s feedback. Can anyone explain what to look for under UV lighting and naturally occurring patina?

5 September 2021, 10:08 PM	#11
AJMarcus "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: AJ Location: USA Watch: Swiss Posts: 5,224	That entire watch looks wrong to me. Even the steel looks odd. Looks like an Asian market special. I’d move along.

6 September 2021, 07:47 AM	#13
JBZ "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 227	I’m an Exp II fan. The heart wants what it wants, but I don’t see the appeal of a 16550 over a 16570 other than a nice cream dial version (which comes with a hefty price). My feeling is if you’re looking like for a cream dial 16550, keep looking. If you’re looking for a nice polar dial 40mm Exp II, I’d look for a 16570.

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