Hello folks,
I wanted to ask for some advice on this Explorer II Ref. 16570 with a Creme dial:



The case looks definitely polished, but I would be interested to know what you think about the dial? Aesthetically it looks very pleasing but I wanted to know if there is anything to look out for or be weary of with these creme dials (e.g. backing the dials to get creme effect or something of the sorts)?

Looking forward to hearing your opinions!

Luca

 

the dial looks fine to me and I think the best thing for you to do is just research the years these crème dials came from along with figuring if the markers and everything else matches.

 

The indexes look suspicious. Never seen indexes as dark as those shown here. Maybe the lighting? Unless you get better photos I would be weary of the watch as presented here.

 

It’s my understanding that certain early 16550 dials developed the cream look and that by the time of the 16570 Rolex corrected the defect.

 

Quality of the pictures is very poor.

Cream dial are usually find only on 16550.

Index and hands look like a relume: color (an uniformity) is very strange, especially on a late serial like W.

 

the "cream" doesn't look right to me. Though it could be the poor lighting/ picture

 

they're black. not uncommon.

 

I meant the tritium inside the indexes. But again. Could be just the photograph. Most examples I've seen and handled had a much lighter shade. The ones on this watch look weird.

 

Here’s my 16750 with dark lume plots and a white dial. I, like @Rasputin, thought it was only the 16550, and only in a relatively tight age band, where the dials turned cream. But I’m far from being an expert

 

I have only seen 16550 with cream colored dials/white gold surrounds. Proceed with caution

 

As others mentioned the creme dials were only found on 16550 models and usually ones from 1986. They are now selling for $20,000 so depending on what your being offered I would be cautious.

Its likely that the one you’re showing has been modified to show the creme appearance of the more expensive 16550.

 

Christies sold a 16570 with black surrounds and a creme dial, but the watch was from 1987 so they argued that the color defect wasn´t corrected till then. The watch in my case is from 1995, so yeah that explaination doesn`t really apply.

 

agreed with everyone else here, it should be the 16550 that possibly has the panna dial

 

1987 wouldn’t have black surrounds and btw you can’t trust Christie’s either or any other auction house

 

I’ve been researching this too, as I was interested in the Daytona with the cream or “Panna” dial. As far as I can find the advice given here is correct. Age range from 1985-1989 seems possible although a lot of people say mainly 1986+87. Usually with the gold white gold plot surrounds although has been seen with black surrounds. Then it can get very complex with the alignment of the “chronometer / certified” wording.
I have seen a few nice watches I am considering but being very new to vintage watches I am trying to gather as much information as I can before committing! I think as long as it is in the correct age range, is a 16550 model and the cream patina is not overly “deep” then it’s original.
So I would say the OP watch would look a bit suspect.
Hope that helps a bit and I’m keen if anyone with more knowledge can chip in as it would help with my own search!

 

This is quite possibly the best I've seen (IMHO). Lovely patina!!

 

Wow that is beautiful!

 

That was what i thought too.

 

not saying there's any foul play with that one, as you just don't know. but there are experts out there creating fake age and patina..from tea baths to many other methods

 

did creme dials come in black surrounds or only WG? Or do I have it backwards?