White Dial, White-Gold Surrounds
Explorer II Cream Dial 16550 — White Dial, White-Gold Surrounds
The first white “Polar” Explorer II dial, with polished white-gold surrounds on the markers and hands. A paint defect makes most of these dials turn ivory or cream (“panna” in Italy), from light ivory to tan depending on UV exposure; Rolex replaced many at service. Dated example: case 9'421'983; see the rail sub-type for more.
Made in smaller numbers than the references either side. Dated case numbers run from about 8.4M (1985; one sold new in January 1985) through 9.1M–9.7M (1986–1987) to R serials (1987–1988). The bezel exists with a fat, square font and a slimmer font.
Identifying details
- Independent hour hand
Local hour hand jumps in one-hour steps independently of the 24-hour hand.
- 24-hour hand
Fourth, 24-hour hand read against a 24-hour bezel for a second time zone.
Variants of 16550
Reference overview →| Variant | Production |
|---|---|
| Black Dial | Undated |
| White Dial, White-Gold SurroundsCurrent | Undated |
| White Dial, White-Gold Surrounds · White Dial, Rail | Undated |
| White Dial, Black Surrounds | Undated |
Case & movement
- Reference
- 16550
- Production
- Undated
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case diameter
- 40 mm
- Water resistance
- 100 m
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Movement
- Automatic
- Chronometer
- Yes
More specifications (2)
- Date
Movement
Rolex 3085
First Rolex GMT caliber whose local hour hand jumps in one-hour steps independently of the 24-hour hand, without stopping the watch. Used only in the ref. 16760.
Automatic · Introduced 1983 · 27 jewels
Read more
- Rolex Explorer II 16570Read more at aBlogtoWatch (opens in a new tab)
- Vintage Rolex Explorer II 16550Read more at Bob's Watches (opens in a new tab)
- Rolex Explorer II Ref. 16550 – Cream ‘Rail’ Dial With Box & Service PapersRead more at Oliver & Clarke (opens in a new tab)
- Rolex Polar Explorer II Ultimate Buying GuideRead more at Bob's Watches