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philr_1@hotmail.com · 13 April 2008, 07:10 AM

Could someone tell me what the deal is with the Explorer II 16650. I bought it in early 1987 from Bailey Banks and Biddle and have worn it ever since.

I was astonished to find that someone was trying to sell an 16650 Explorer II with a white "cream" face for $18,000.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ROLEX-EXPLORER-I...QQcmdZViewItem

I was in Manhattan last October with my wife looking at some jewelry on 47th street and a jeweler noticed my watch, asked to look at it and informed me I have a cream face Explorer, I thought nothing of it at the time. I just thought he wanted to sell me a new ring for my wife.

Needless to say, my curiosity has peaked. Some internet articles I've found mention things like Rolex never made a cream faced watch or that there was something wrong with the pigment.

The serial number for my watch is 8957xx which was made in 1985.

daveathall · 13 April 2008, 07:29 AM

Just found this, may help a little, the experts will be along shortly to help a lot more than I can.

http://www.wannabuyawatch.com/indpages/33770.html

philr_1@hotmail.com · 13 April 2008, 11:35 PM

As you can see, my Explorer II is well worn. I didn't buy it to baby it. I wear it daily whether I'm working on my farm, working on equipment or in the office. I has functioned flawlessly for more that 21 years. The die in the numerals around the Bezel came off when I had the watched cleaned at a Rolex dealer in the early 90s.
thanks

SPACE-DWELLER · 13 April 2008, 11:55 PM

Welcome to TRF, Phil!

Nice to see a Rolex that's been really used. What a shame a Rolex dealer polished out the numbers, though. Anyway, RSC can make it look like new again, but would probably fit a completely new bezel to your Explorer II.

frostie · 13 April 2008, 11:58 PM

Welcome to the Forum

finance21 · 13 April 2008, 11:59 PM

The 16550 is a great piece with an interesting background. As the story goes there was a defect in the paint and over time UV, moisture, age caused the paint to turn a cream color. Your serial, rail dial and SWISS T<25 puts her in the correct range for a cream.

Beef · 14 April 2008, 01:20 AM

Welcome to the forum. Love the EXP II.

Octopus · 14 April 2008, 01:51 AM

Another difference is that your reference has white gold surrounds on the markers where later versions have black paint. The unofficial cream explorer was manufactured between 1984 and 86 so it looks like you have got yourself a good investment there.

etp095 · 14 April 2008, 02:07 AM

that a real hard workin watch you have there,welcome to the forum.

f16570 · 14 April 2008, 06:42 AM

This is how I picture my watch in 21 years. What an absolute pleasure to see someone who has worn their watch as intended. Sir I salute you.
Welcome.

vukotab · 14 April 2008, 07:50 AM

Welcome to TRF!
Your watch still looks great,despite the signs of wear.I wouldn`t sell it in a world!

philr_1@hotmail.com · 14 April 2008, 08:23 AM

Here is another picture of my 1985 Explorer II, taken this afternoon outdoors. Thank you for all the comments. Should I send it off to Rolex in Dallas or NYC to be reconditioned and the bezel replaced?

thanks

Phil

philr_1@hotmail.com · 14 April 2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vukotab

Welcome to TRF!
Your watch still looks great,despite the signs of wear.I wouldn`t sell it in a world!

I haven't thought once about selling it. At the time I bought it I had been looking for a SS Oyster Datejust with the Engine bezel and the jubilee bracelet. What I have always loved about this watch is the fact that I can where it every day and it doesn't look like a "Rolex".

I am just very surprised to find out that I happened to be able to obtain and be the proud owner of an unusual Rolex.

thanks

Phil

BiG JeEzY · 14 April 2008, 09:47 AM

What a beautiful watch Phil!!!

Welcome to the forums! Glad to have you aboard.

That is my favorite dial in all of Rolexes! You just never see that shade anymore.

Your Explorer II looks so beautiful from the pics, the worn out look makes it

look even better IMO. It gives it a more of a vintage, classic look.

You should service the watch but not replace anything on the watch. Keep it

all original, it will be much more valuable that way.

I'm speechless, amaaaazing watch!!

philr_1@hotmail.com · 14 April 2008, 10:40 AM

I have always been proud to wear a Rolex. I've been called crazy for this picture. As you can probably tell I like my beer. As well as my Nikons.

thanks again

Phil

13 April 2008, 07:10 AM	#1
philr_1@hotmail.com Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: KCMO Watch: Rolex Explorer II Posts: 16	Explorer II 16650 Could someone tell me what the deal is with the Explorer II 16650. I bought it in early 1987 from Bailey Banks and Biddle and have worn it ever since. I was astonished to find that someone was trying to sell an 16650 Explorer II with a white "cream" face for $18,000. http://cgi.ebay.com/ROLEX-EXPLORER-I...QQcmdZViewItem I was in Manhattan last October with my wife looking at some jewelry on 47th street and a jeweler noticed my watch, asked to look at it and informed me I have a cream face Explorer, I thought nothing of it at the time. I just thought he wanted to sell me a new ring for my wife. Needless to say, my curiosity has peaked. Some internet articles I've found mention things like Rolex never made a cream faced watch or that there was something wrong with the pigment. The serial number for my watch is 8957xx which was made in 1985.

13 April 2008, 07:29 AM	#2
daveathall "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Dave Location: England. Watch: Various Posts: 7,304	Just found this, may help a little, the experts will be along shortly to help a lot more than I can. http://www.wannabuyawatch.com/indpages/33770.html __________________ KINDEST REGARDS DAVE

13 April 2008, 11:35 PM	#3
philr_1@hotmail.com Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: KCMO Watch: Rolex Explorer II Posts: 16	Photo of my watch. As you can see, my Explorer II is well worn. I didn't buy it to baby it. I wear it daily whether I'm working on my farm, working on equipment or in the office. I has functioned flawlessly for more that 21 years. The die in the numerals around the Bezel came off when I had the watched cleaned at a Rolex dealer in the early 90s. thanks Attached Images

13 April 2008, 11:55 PM	#4
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	Welcome to TRF, Phil! Nice to see a Rolex that's been really used. What a shame a Rolex dealer polished out the numbers, though. Anyway, RSC can make it look like new again, but would probably fit a completely new bezel to your Explorer II. __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

13 April 2008, 11:58 PM	#5
frostie 1,000,000th PostMember Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 14,048	Welcome to the Forum __________________ GMT - Master II C - 116710 LN

13 April 2008, 11:59 PM	#6
finance21 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: U.S.A Posts: 363	The 16550 is a great piece with an interesting background. As the story goes there was a defect in the paint and over time UV, moisture, age caused the paint to turn a cream color. Your serial, rail dial and SWISS T<25 puts her in the correct range for a cream.

14 April 2008, 01:20 AM	#7
Beef "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,824	Welcome to the forum. Love the EXP II. __________________ "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." "So you have enemies. Good. You must have stood up for something, sometime in your life." Winston Churchill

14 April 2008, 01:51 AM	#8
Octopus "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 93	Another difference is that your reference has white gold surrounds on the markers where later versions have black paint. The unofficial cream explorer was manufactured between 1984 and 86 so it looks like you have got yourself a good investment there.

14 April 2008, 02:07 AM	#9
etp095 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: rudolph Location: chicago burbs Posts: 2,026	that a real hard workin watch you have there,welcome to the forum. __________________ tt date circa 69' 5513 circa 81' ss sub w/date (z) pepsi gmt for dad(D) polar expy II(z) 1675 gmt circa 68' ladies datejust on jubilee for mom (z) sea dweller16600(M) SS Sub-C(g) Omega Planet Ocean,45.5 on mesh(2500D)

14 April 2008, 06:42 AM	#10
f16570 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: F Location: Scotland Watch: Exp II White Face Posts: 4,272	This is how I picture my watch in 21 years. What an absolute pleasure to see someone who has worn their watch as intended. Sir I salute you. Welcome. __________________ Why have what's new when you have what's best. f

14 April 2008, 07:50 AM	#11
vukotab "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Real Name: Vukota Brajovi Location: Belgrade,Serbia Watch: ing movies! Posts: 3,812	Welcome to TRF! Your watch still looks great,despite the signs of wear.I wouldn`t sell it in a world! __________________ My fashion blog and Instagram: https://stylebyvukota.com/ https://instagram.com/vukotabrajovic/

14 April 2008, 08:23 AM	#12
philr_1@hotmail.com Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: KCMO Watch: Rolex Explorer II Posts: 16	Another Picture of My Explorer II 16550 Here is another picture of my 1985 Explorer II, taken this afternoon outdoors. Thank you for all the comments. Should I send it off to Rolex in Dallas or NYC to be reconditioned and the bezel replaced? thanks Phil Attached Images

14 April 2008, 09:47 AM	#14
BiG JeEzY "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Jerome Location: N. California Watch: GMT I/EXP II/DJ Posts: 3,352	What a beautiful watch Phil!!! Welcome to the forums! Glad to have you aboard. That is my favorite dial in all of Rolexes! You just never see that shade anymore. Your Explorer II looks so beautiful from the pics, the worn out look makes it look even better IMO. It gives it a more of a vintage, classic look. You should service the watch but not replace anything on the watch. Keep it all original, it will be much more valuable that way. I'm speechless, amaaaazing watch!! __________________ -Rolex Explorer II Black dial 16570 (circa 2001) -Rolex GMT Master I Pepsi 1675 (circa 1978) -Rolex Datejust TT Champagne 16233 (circa 1991) -Vintage Longines Automatic La Grande Classique -Vintage Seiko 6138 Automatic Chronograph with "Kakume" Dial

14 April 2008, 10:40 AM	#15
philr_1@hotmail.com Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: KCMO Watch: Rolex Explorer II Posts: 16	Proud of my Rolex I have always been proud to wear a Rolex. I've been called crazy for this picture. As you can probably tell I like my beer. As well as my Nikons. thanks again Phil Attached Images

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