Jump to content
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
  • Current Donation Goals

Creme Explorer II 16550


grifter

Recommended Posts

Been reading up on 16550 Explorer II's.

Hard core collectors consider the rail 16550 as the only true "creme dial" Explorers. This is because the paint defect which causes the white dials to change over time was on these dials that had rail writing and white gold markers.

However, I've discovered after reading page after page that the defected paint did run over into the early 16550 non-rail dials that used black markers.

Although not considered a "true" creme by purists, I was delighted by the fact that non-rail creme dials with black surrounds do exist! Also, purists can kiss my @ss..

So my build began. Picked up some parts like a "gen construction" Explorer II case, a CHS movement (which btw is running perfectly), and some other parts. Most important pick up was a gen 16550 white dial with black markers.

The dial I picked up obviously didn't have the paint defect because it was white as snow.

Everything was sent to pbdad for lug holes and some pbdad-magic on the dial.

Check it out :)

Reference I used taken from Rolex book

3829D27F-904A-4A1A-9AFD-6A9FBF12D056-740

case set with gen bezel and crystal

e9c722ea.jpg

with gen dial

8347bb2b.jpg

dial after some pbdad magic

AD492D75-C7D1-4292-94A0-45DD264710B6-376

Once the watch is back in my hands I'll update with completed pics. The dial pic pbdad sent me got me so excited I had to post something.

Thanks for looking!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...
Please Sign In or Sign Up