I came across this in one of my local shops the other day - was in a rush so didn't have time to take the bracelet off. As far as I know the open date was 16550 only, but white hands with black marker surrounds never happened
(but maybe they did). Then there is the bezel...which to my eyes looks like 16570. Going back today, but would appreciate some input as to what this may be.

 

Bezel looks like it has too thin a font on the numbers for a mid 80's reference.

 

Here's my 16570, from 2005, for comparison.

 

Thanks - bezels look to be the same.

Were WG hands ever accompanied by black marker surrounds?

 

I'd be a little concerned about hand alignment-----it's 2 minutes after 9, and the hour hand hasn't reached 9 yet. Unless it's just the angle of the photo.

 

Some of the first 16570s in the R series range had open 6s and 9s, I just had one recently.

 

What about the 12 o'clock marker? Is it just me, or does the top black line of the upside down triangle not completely close? Is that just a distortion from the crystal?

 

You can tell from the photo the watch is wrapped in plastic, it looks like a wrinkle in the wrap.

 

Ok, thanks, need to turn up my screen brightness so I can see these things better!!

 

Transitional piece. Rolex will use up old stock before replacing with new ones.


I blame it on the autoconnect.

 

The bezel is a service replacement--Rolex uses the 16570 bezels for service replacement.
The handset are service replacement, but the dial looks like it's original based on the lume patina.
Yes, the earliest 16550's (i.e. cream dials) had the white gold surrounds on the plots and hands
The open 6 and 9 date wheel is a classic feature on the 16550...I wish I can get one for my 16570.

 

Too many questions for me to go bother going back for a closer inspection. Any single issue would have been permissible, but experience has taught me to avoid too many question marks!