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
case set with gen bezel and crystal
with gen dial
dial after some pbdad magic
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!
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
case set with gen bezel and crystal
with gen dial
dial after some pbdad magic
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!
