Explorer II - white dial or black?

[TARDIS]

Hello everyone, I am getting the urge to own another Rolex. I have previously owned a Submariner and a GMT Master II. I just don't know why I flipped the GMT 6 months ago, but hey that is the story of a WIS isn't it?

I like the Explorer II as it would suit my smallish wrist and not look so 'flashy' as the GMT. I don't do any diving anymore (ocean I mean!) so I don't really need a diving watch.
I have gone right off watches with rotating bezels and I like the engraved 24hr markers instead. I love the GMT hand which I would set permanently at GMT of course! It would be my final watch purchase as I have been threatened with all sorts of things including divorce unless I desist. I am of senior years and the prospect of losing the cook for continued watch flipping is too terrible for me to contemplate. (I have flipped 2 Oris, 1 Omega, a Breitling and 2 Rolex in just 2 years)

Before I start the hunt for 'red october' () I have to make the decision about the dial. Black or White? Currently I am really liking the white dial Exp II as I think most buyers prefer the black dial I am hoping that I will find one about 2 or 3 years old at a reasonable price from a trusted seller. AU$6,500 for a newbie is beyond my fiscal and marital equalibrium!

So what do you guys recommend as a last Rolex Exp II to be worn as the ONLY watch day after day for the rest of my natural BLACK or WHITE dial??

I guess I should do a poll on this, but I don't know how. Anyway it's probably been done before.

Steve

[C.J.]

Hi, Steve Where have you been, buddy? I've missed you around here. I, personally, like the white dial one. But, I think Johnny (Atomic) may just have a used black dial one for sale

Steve, as Craig pointed out, I have a black dial K series that gets zero wrist time.

I wore this watch daily for three years and I have to say, I never saw another guy with a black dial. In these geographic parts (and I'd hasten to suggest all of North America) it seems the white dial is by far the more popular. I know in Asia the black dial is the one in demand.

But I went with black because the original ExpII only came with black, because black dial and Rolex are synonomous and I found the black dial was right at home in a tux or in surfing jams.

I say black....

[seros]

Knoc Knoc Heelooooo
This is my first post and sorry for my English (I come from to Spain)
My name is Juan and I like very much the watch ( My wife says too much....)
Congra for this forun
In my opinion, white dial
Why?, because You have Sub ( black dial) Gmt II (black dial), to make change, explorer white, and if you wont ocasionaly yourself can change the dial (300USD) and you have two Explorer in one
I know very wuell the situation......





Please tell us the end of you decision
Regards
Juan

[nikhsub1]

My vote goes for the black dial, as that is my daily wearer. I like looking at pictures of the white dial, but I personally find it to be 'cheap' looking in the Explorer II. To me the black Exp II is ultra classy and you do not see many of them, I would say that 8 times out of 10 when I see an Exp II it is white. Here is a pic on me wrist of mine.

[kakalika]

I say go for the white dial. You have already owned a sub with a black dial. Going with white now will really appeal to your senses.

[mamas]

black dial is more flexible

[ohsixx]

My next Rolex will have a white dial!

[Pete]

WHITE!!! im so jealous lol

Pete

[JJ Irani]

Hi Steve,

Both dials are beautiful. Whereas the BLACK one is more dressy, the white is a bit more casual.

If you already have a black dial Sub, why not go with some variety in the white dial Exp-II?

Ultimately, it's your decision, pal. Try on both at your AD and see which one smiles back at you the most.

Good luck in your final decision.

JJ

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by seros

Knoc Knoc Heelooooo
This is my first post and sorry for my English (I come from to Spain)
My name is Juan and I like very much the watch ( My wife says too much....)
Congra for this forun
In my opinion, white dial
Why?, because You have Sub ( black dial) Gmt II (black dial), to make change, explorer white, and if you wont ocasionaly yourself can change the dial (300USD) and you have two Explorer in one
I know very wuell the situation......





Please tell us the end of you decision
Regards
Juan

Hi Juan,

Welcome to TRF. Both very nice watches you have there. Please post pics more often and enjoy yourself on this forum.

Cheers - JJ

[seros]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hi Juan,

Welcome to TRF. Both very nice watches you have there. Please post pics more often and enjoy yourself on this forum.

Cheers - JJ

Hi
I feel very welcome
To be honest I have been reading your forum for a long time.
Is funny and instrutive
Regards
Juan

[aeroguy]

Only one choice in my book and that's the white dial. The white dial has such an understated elegance and how many sport Rolex's are available with a white face?

[mike]

Steve, as much as I like the white EXP II, if this was to be the only Rolex you will have and it's going to be a watch for all occassions I'd have to say black.
Black can dress up or down very well, and as Johnny said it's the orginal color of the EXP II.
As an only sports watch black just seems to "fit".

[AJC]

Steve,steve,steve.

Your gonna get skinned by your wife.

BTW.

I like the white.

Aaron

[mailman]

I prefer the black dial Steve

[mailman]

Originally Posted by seros

Hi
I feel very welcome
To be honest I have been reading your forum for a long time.
Is funny and instrutive
Regards
Juan

Welcome to TRF Juan. Hope you can stick around and join in on the fun

[TARDIS]

Originally Posted by C.J.

Hi, Steve Where have you been, buddy? I've missed you around here. I, personally, like the white dial one. But, I think Johnny (Atomic) may just have a used black dial one for sale

Craig, thanks for the info and the welcome back. Yeah I have been here there and everybloodywhere.

Seems the black dial has the majority vote. I might have to go to my nearest AD down in Surfers Paradise and try both on my wrist and then just for fun try a big haggle.

BTW. welcome to this forum Juan. Your English is definately better that my Spanish, amigo!

Hey Aaron, that's not the case with the wife. Yes, conditons will apply

Condition #1 is if I get this Rolex, I have to have it engraved on the case back making personal so I won't flip it ever.

Condition#2 through 12 are not up for discussion.

Steve

[TARDIS]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Steve, as Craig pointed out, I have a black dial K series that gets zero wrist time.

I wore this watch daily for three years and I have to say, I never saw another guy with a black dial. In these geographic parts (and I'd hasten to suggest all of North America) it seems the white dial is by far the more popular. I know in Asia the black dial is the one in demand.

But I went with black because the original ExpII only came with black, because black dial and Rolex are synonomous and I found the black dial was right at home in a tux or in surfing jams.

I say black....

I don't see it advertised Atomic.

Questions:
1. Did you buy it new from an AD?
2. Month/year of purchase?
3. Papers & Box?
4. Condition of watch (10/10 scale is a newbie)
5. Condition of bracelet " "
6. Photo's?
7. Asking price?

I can't PM you???
email me - steve.kirbymiller39@gmail.com
Cheers

[slim]

Hi Steve, Black is Beautiful. But if your having trouble get both!

Originally Posted by TARDIS

I don't see it advertised Atomic.

Questions:
1. Did you buy it new from an AD?
2. Month/year of purchase?
3. Papers & Box?
4. Condition of watch (10/10 scale is a newbie)
5. Condition of bracelet " "
6. Photo's?
7. Asking price?

I can't PM you???
email me - steve.kirbymiller39@gmail.com
Cheers

Hi Steve, okay, here goes:

1. Bought 'used' at a reseller, exactly 30 days after it was purchased BNIB from an AD in Toronto. The buyer bought without his wife's buy-in, and took a bath on it.
2. Purchased Nov. 30th, 2002, it's a K-series
3. Boxs and papers all present and accounted for
4. I would rate it an 8.5 out of 10. Some swirlies that go with being a daily watch but I take very good care of my stuff.
5. Bracelet is same as the watch.
6. Photos at bottom
7. No asking price yet. But given you're in Oz, you'd likely get a better price than what I'd want. Canada is a brutal market and I paid CDN$5750 for it all in, which was about $1,000 off list. You can get similar watches off TZ or fleabay for US$3K or so.

[GerardoG]

White!

[eltonbalch]

I have several black dial watches so I went with white myself. If it was going to be my only watch I would have gotten black for sure. My advice is to go to the AD, try both, and buy the one YOU like most. BTW the white has grown on me and most people don't even realize it's a Rolex which is just fine by me!! I see Explorer II's routinely for $3000-3500 US. It seems to be much less popular than the GMT II. Good luck!!

[Arthur Daley]

You'll be wearing the watch, so pick something you like. Forget about resale. Plus, it's a Rolex so you're bound to find someone who'll buy it..

Also remember that white dials usually make watches look bigger, than similar watches with black dials. Same with cars etc...

[TARDIS]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Hi Steve, okay, here goes:

1. Bought 'used' at a reseller, exactly 30 days after it was purchased BNIB from an AD in Toronto. The buyer bought without his wife's buy-in, and took a bath on it.
2. Purchased Nov. 30th, 2002, it's a K-series
3. Boxs and papers all present and accounted for
4. I would rate it an 8.5 out of 10. Some swirlies that go with being a daily watch but I take very good care of my stuff.
5. Bracelet is same as the watch.
6. Photos at bottom
7. No asking price yet. But given you're in Oz, you'd likely get a better price than what I'd want. Canada is a brutal market and I paid CDN$5750 for it all in, which was about $1,000 off list. You can get similar watches off TZ or

Thanks for showing it Atomic. You are right that I would find one cheaper on this side of the planet.

I still feel the white dial model is calling me louder than the black. I read somewhere that the white dial, sometimes referred to here as a the "Polar Explorer II" (got this from an AD in Sydney) became associated with the Norwegian Explorer Erling Kagge (NatGeo ads) after he had walked alone and unassisted to the S.Pole. I don't know if he had to walk all the way back again or manage to get a lift home with the USAF! Anyway this guy also did it in the N.Pole and I'm told he also climbed Everest without oxygen. Nordic Genes seem to be mighty strong!

Can't see how a white dial would stand out in snow

Is it a lumi dial?

Steve

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by TARDIS

Is it a lumi dial?

Steve

Most certainly is, Steve!!

[mike]

The white has as much lume as the black.
Only pic I currently have,

[karwath]

get the white dial, it is one of the things that makes it unique (as someone else said how many Rolex watches have a white dial).

As someone who ones a white dial Exp. II, I guess I am a bit biased.

[Hammer]

Yep, I've got the white dialled Explorer II, so it will always get my vote.

One day I get the hang of putting pictures on my PC and I'll post a few up for you guys!

[TARDIS]

Thanks guys. Your input is as always great to get. I think this forum, more than any other, has more folks who actually READ other folks threads and post constructive replies. Makes great reading.

I plan on getting the white dial Exp II by Christmas. Only thing is I have to think hard how to get sanction from my wife. I already bought her a 1 carat solitaire ring last year. What do I do to get the OK for an Explorer II?? Any ideas??
\
\Steve

Hey JJ that photo of yours is fab. Looks almost a golden color.