1989 Explorer 2 question

[neilm92]

Hi all,
I'm looking at a 1989 Explorer 2, polar dial. Now from my research the bracelet is not original to that era? Also the SWISS only dial was from the late 90s if I'm.not mistaken? Seller insists bracelet is original to the watch however. Can anyone help me with this?

[RayRay89]

I always though they had the shorter clasp but I’m sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in

[G3Z]

I could have sworn this was posted yesterday.

I’ll reply again.

Bracelet/clasp is too new for the year. Swiss dial is normally a service dial for that age.

Also, the age of the watch - it possibly should have the Mk1 squared font bezel. But i may be wrong and that’s only for the 16550?

[Nowayman1]

You can check the bracelet serial numbers. You can cross reference this to the year of the case serial to see if it matches.

I have a 1999 'SWISS' dial and has the shorter clasp on the bracelet.

There will be a serial on the bracelet near the case and also on the clasp. If it states an S before the number it is a service clasp and so has been replaced at some point...

If this is supposed to be a 1989 I would say this bracelet is not original. Additionally from what I know about the SWISS on the dial this was not introduced till 1999 and so may suggest that this is not original.

SWISS only dials are luminova Vs Trittium that is correct for a 1989 dial.

Hope this helps a little...

[neilm92]

Originally Posted by G3Z

I could have sworn this was posted yesterday.

I’ll reply again.

Bracelet/clasp is too new for the year. Swiss dial is normally a service dial for that age.

Also, the age of the watch - it possibly should have the Mk1 squared font bezel. But i may be wrong and that’s only for the 16550?

You're right it was, but deleted for some reason.

Thanks for that, the dial is a hiccup alright but they do say it was replaced but don't know when. The fact they're passing the bracelet off as original is my concern

[Paul7]

Originally Posted by neilm92

You're right it was, but deleted for some reason.

Thanks for that, the dial is a hiccup alright but they do say it was replaced but don't know when. The fact they're passing the bracelet off as original is my concern

Makes you wonder what else they aren't telling you.

[neilm92]

Originally Posted by Paul7

Makes you wonder what else they aren't telling you.

Yeah I agree. I've backed out of it anyway. Perhaps a bullet dodged. Thanks for the input folks.

[G3Z]

Don’t be disappointed by not being able to purchase it. It’s all about the learning along the journey. You’ve just learned more about the ExpII. I also believe the hunt is better than the purchase. Enjoy the hunt.

[iliketime]

It is not unusual to see a different bracelet, as I have seen explorer 1s with a sub bracelet before. However, Id check the codes to see if they match.

[dpt.calvin]

Could just be the lighting, but that bracelet clasp looks over polished to my eyes.

[Tools]

The Explorer II was available with the 93150 extension bracelet as an option, just like the GMT was.

However, this bracelet appears to have two different types of end-link so there is something wrong there.

A 1989 would have a tritium dial, but a 1998 would have a Swiss dial.

I would need to see more, like clasp codes and serial numbers to determine if this all goes together or not.