Just wanted to run a new-to-me Explorer II by you guys...

[W44NNE]

I've just joined the forum so hope you don't mind me posting this thread. I received an Explorer II this morning and I really like it.

I've had the back removed by a Rolex AD jeweller and he's happy with everything in there.

However, there's just a couple of things bugging me as I've never owned an Exploer of any kind before...

- The cyclopse magnifies the date but not as much as it does on my SubC so does it look "right" in the pictures?
- The dial says "SWISS" at the bottom with no tritium markings etc

Here are the pictures...





I'd love your views on my queries as well as anything else that stands out.

Many thanks :-)

[renfield33]

What is the beginning of the serial number (don't post the whole thing)

[W44NNE]

Originally Posted by renfield33

What is the beginning of the serial number (don't post the whole thing)

No chance of me doing that

The numbers on the paperwork (correspond with the case engraving) are as follows:

Style No. R16570A50B9315
Serial No. N41****

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by W44NNE

No chance of me doing that

The numbers on the paperwork (correspond with the case engraving) are as follows:

Style No. R16570A50B9315
Serial No. N41****

Your Explorer looks good to me. As have been said it is an early 1990's model and it should have a fliplock bracelet as indicated by the reference number. The dial is a fairly unusual replacement dial from circa 2000, the first generation of Luminova dials. It looks like you have Luminova hands too.

The magnification looks like mine, a more recent white Ex II.

It is one of my favourite watches of all times, as indicated in my avatar.

Congrats!!!

Best,

A

[Tools]

Originally Posted by W44NNE

...
The numbers on the paperwork (correspond with the case engraving) are as follows:

Style No. R16570A50B9315
Serial No. N41****

Great looking watch and excellent choice... These numbers tell me this about your watch..

R16570 - It's a Rolex Explorer II

..A50 - It came originally with a white dial

...B9315 - The original bracelet was a diver extension/flip-lock (like the Sub has)

N41xxxx - It hit the market in the 92/93 time frame..

So, knowing all this; we know that it would have originally had a tritium dial, we also know that the "swiss" luminova dial is a proper service replacement and can, therefore, infer that it has been serviced at some point by Rolex...

[mjm800]

N is 91 my N GMT has a T<25 dial so it might be a new dial but it looks good and the mag is good.

I'm not sure on the Exp II if the N had a different dial or not my R Exp II has a T<25 dial also so does my S Submariner.

Here's a quick shot of my N GMT:

[Watchvirgin]

Just looked at mine. It has "Swiss Made" at the bottom and it is K serial. Not sure and I bet someone will know! Love my EXP II

[mjm800]

Originally Posted by W44NNE

However, there's just a couple of things bugging me as I've never owned an Exploer of any kind before...

:-)

You know I wouldn't worry too much.

On my R serial just about everything written on it says it comes with the indicators trimmed in white gold with white gold hands but mine comes with black trim and black hands. I was freaking out turns out this version was made toward the end of the run of the R's. They came out of Rolex here and there but the majority of the Rs are white trim.

[W44NNE]

Thanks for the replies... they've put my mind at ease :-)

Does anyone think, come to resale-time (unlikely for a while!), the value of the watch may be affected by the dial and hands?

[mjm800]

Originally Posted by W44NNE

Thanks for the replies... they've put my mind at ease :-)

Does anyone think, come to resale-time (unlikely for a while!), the value of the watch may be affected by the dial and hands?

Only to a hardcore collector would care most casual buyers want the lume to work so they would be happy to buy an older watch with working lume.

All my T<25 dials have long dead lume.

People who want everything original would shy away just be upfront and explain that it's a replacement dial and you'll be OK but it won't significantly effect the price or anything.

[W44NNE]

Originally Posted by mjm800

Only to a hardcore collector would care most casual buyers want the lume to work so they would be happy to buy an older watch with working lume.

All my T<25 dials have long dead lume.

People who want everything original would shy away just be upfront and explain that it's a replacement dial and you'll be OK but it won't significantly effect the price or anything.

Just what I wanted to hear (well, read).

Thanks very much for all the replies. Happy to read any other opinions and I'm now loving this watch even more

[W44NNE]

Thanks for all the info. It's been really helpful as at first I wasn't sure how "legit" the watch was.

[Mr. K]

It's a good looking piece. Enjoy!

[brkanand]

Beautiful. Enjoy with pride!

[dddrees]

Looks good, Congrats.

[Puffy]

What is the price for this?

[HL65]

Very nice watch- enjoy it! It does have a service dial as Larry pointed out...Congrats!

[Rags]

Congrats..Enjoy you watch....

[mjclark32]

Great, congrats.

[vukotab]

Great looking watch, good choice!
Wear it in a good health and welcome to TRF!

[sea-dweller]

Congrats!

[chicagofan]

Congrats and welcome to TRF.