Hi @all, short question: does Rolex have a model-number of the (vintage, small case) EX 2 with "silver" hands and white dial? Pre 90ies?? So: not the black hands.
Or is it 16550 in general?
atb Jo

 

Hi,

I think indeed it is 16550 in general, but I’ll let specialist confirm!

it was then 16570 with the black hands

 

I always see the 16550 in both variants....

 

As far as I know it is an Explorer II 16550 which can has WG bicchierini and WG hands as well black bicchierini and black hands set. Both variants are possible (I believe black hands set and bicchierini only on last serials but this is my oponion based on the arrival of the new reference 16570).

There is no specific number it is just a 16550.
I can say for sure on a serial 8.4mln you can find black bicchierini and hands original never serviced.

Ciao
F

 

Pretty sure it was on the cream dial explorer 2s. so that would be the 16550. Last time I saw one was at a watch dinner the other week on davidsw's wrist.

edit: they didnt all come that way though, like others have said there were variations. some 16550s had the usual handset.

 

Yes, it’s the 16550 made from roughly 1984 to 1989, and offered in both black and white dials.

The early white dials had white gold hands and hour markers. This made for poor legibility, so Rolex soon started making the white dial with the hands and hour markers painted black.

Some of the white dial versions (in both hand/marker configurations) turned cream over the years, but many, not all, collectors regard the white gold hand/marker version as the true cream dial Explorer II 16550.

The black dial version had white gold hands and markers for the duration of the run.

Cheers,
-GW