Vintage Rolex?

[Gaijin]

Why does the white Explorer seem to be so much more popular here than the black one? Anybody?

[CPTL]

I can't speak for anyone else, but the white Exp-II just stands out. It's classic Rolex, with just the right amount of "flair" in the colored 24-hour hand to make it a standout without overstating anything. The brushed stainless steel and modest steel bezel make it an excellent dress watch. It just stands out among the sport models, IMO.

The white face completes the look. It separates the Exp-II from the sub, SD, and GMT. It makes the watch a perfect compliment to your other sports. I personally couldn't see getting the Exp-II with a black face--then it would be just like all the others.

Just one man's opinion. That's one fine watch. Somebody hide my credit cards.

[widespreadpanic]

Originally Posted by mike

My humble group,

Wow, very nice Mike.
What are the differences between the Gilt dial and others on the GMT you have?

Ryan

[mike]

Originally Posted by widespreadpanic

Wow, very nice Mike.
What are the differences between the Gilt dial and others on the GMT you have?

Ryan

Thanks Ryan!

In the early years of the GMT (and other sport references) Rolex used a "gilt" style dial. The printing on the watch was a "gold" color. Generally, it's felt "gilt" left the stainless arena in the mid to latter 60s (of course with a certain transitional period). Some collectors feel circa 1967-68 as the magic time.
What does seem to be the case in general is that with the 1675 the small pointer hand was tied to the gilt dial.
Sadly over the years gilt dials were replaced at service by the white writing style we have today.
The 1675 has undergone several changes over it's run from the use of the 1565 movement (around 1965), the use of pointed crown guards (early 60s examples), to the inclusion of the hacking feature (circa 1970-71). The 1675 never had a quick-set date feature, that comming along with the advent of the 16750 and it's fast beat movement.
As has been mentioned before, the 1675 was the first (and only) sport model to have a jubilee bracelet fitted as a correct option--this occurring in the early 70s.

Minute markers have gone from long to short, as well as placement of the hour markers, and inclosed minute rings. I think a lot of this is dependent on the dial maker at the time. Rolex has used various dial makers over the years with Singer, Beyler, and Stern being the most common.

In any of it's variations the 1675 represents a wonderfull era in the history of the Rolex tool watch!

[jac67]

Always nice to see your collection Mike.


John.

[widespreadpanic]

Mike thanks for the history lesson.
As I am still new here.. What is this hacking feature you refer to?

Thanks again
Ryan

[mike]

Originally Posted by widespreadpanic

Mike thanks for the history lesson.
As I am still new here.. What is this hacking feature you refer to?

Thanks again
Ryan

I believe hacking is actually a military term. It refers to the ability to freeze the second hand of the watch when the crown is pulled out in order to set the exact time to a know reference or sync several watches to each other.

Early sport references did not have this feature, but strangely enough it is possible to "hack" some watches by applying a slight bit of back pressure to the winding crown when in the setting position. This will freeze the second hand allowing the watch to be synced.

I should note this does not seem to work on all watches. It works on my gilt 1675, but for the life of me my white 1675 will not freeze.

I should add that while this sounds as if it may damage the movement it does no harm at all.

[timebroker]

Now that is what I call a good explanation, thx a lot Mike!
'Writing this all down"

[widespreadpanic]

Thanks Mike

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

Why does the white Explorer seem to be so much more popular here than the black one? Anybody?

Probably 'cause that's the only affordable WHITE sports Rolex in the line-up!!

PS: And probably 'cause one BKL called JJ recently bought one!!

[padi56]

1924 case hallmarked silver Rolex,and all still running and keeping good
time and on a full wind runs for 36 hours.




1922 case hallmarked but movement is later,quite common in these days,silver Rolex Unicorn same movement as above but not tested, very similar like the COSC testing today.And in these times only about 1 in 5 watches leaving the factory had the Rolex name on dial.Some were blank some with other names that Rolex used in these times.







Unicorn movement scan.




Another Rolex Unicorn but in the very new metal for the time Stainless steel.

[timebroker]

Very nice ones, the first one is my favorite, seems this case was used by a lot of other brands too like Longines (had 1 a long time ago identical), always loved the look of them.
When you say other names used by Rolex, you mean Marconi?