OVERVIEW

The Rolex Explorer II 16550 is the successor to the 1655 and the first of the Explorer II line to feature an independent 24hr hand. This allows it to be more than just a cave diving watch like the 1655, but also a GMT watch to track two time zones. The earlier dials featured white gold surround markers and steel hands while this example has the later dial with black surround markers and black hands for better legibility over a white dial. While this dial is the same used in the later 16570, the 16550 has a distinct bezel with a much cooler font.

‍In general, I find the Rolex Explorer II Polar dial to be one of the most interesting Rolexes a person would want to wear as their daily watch. As far as a Rolex tool watch goes, it’s the only one that comes in a white dial. And if the markers and hands have aged to a warm yellow as many are known to do, the become even more interesting (and more gratifying) than just a plain ol’ Submariner. ‍‍ ‍

Rolex Explorer II’s up until now have been extremely undervalued in the market and I never understood why. Even at the same price as a GMT-Master or Submariner in the same generation, they still prove to be the more exciting option for those who don’t want the same watch as everyone else.

CONDITION NOTES

CASE: Crisp and sharp with thick even lugs and bracelet in excellent condition. Minor nick on the side of the case near 11:00.

DIAL & HANDS: Excellect polar dial with tritium lume aged to the wonderful warm yellow. Original hands match perfectly and in perfect condtion.

MOVEMENT: Clean movement that’s keeping time and running smoothly.