Explorer II 216570 Black Dial - "Floating Hands" Question

[Onikage]

At a guess I'd imagine it's to make the hands easier to distinguish when they overlap.

[Ravager135]

Look if someone offered me the 1655, I'd take it in a second. I think the consensus is that the white dial Explorer II is now the popular favorite and really has been since the 1655 was discontinued. In many ways I think the explanation is simple, Submariners and GMT Masters (unless you have access to a really rare Pan Am corporate version) do not come in a white dial. If you want a white dial Rolex that's more sporty you're getting a Daytona or an Explorer II (yes I know the Milgauss and DJ come in white dials but I'm throwing them in the dressier category).

The hands on the black dial bother me and affected my decision to go with the white dial but the number one reason I got the white dial was because I already owned a Submariner. Also the Explorer II has been redirected as more of an outdoor, cold weather watch. The white dial seems to reflect that spirit a tad more. Just my opinion on why the white dial has become more popular.

Before my black dial brothers get all up in arms, I have said over and over, if I were getting an Explorer II for my first Rolex, I would likely go with the black dial. It's a still a beauty in its own right.

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by BJHofkin

Was hoping you'd show up in this thread (given your passion for this particular watch)!

Seems like you understand the question exactly—on the 1655, the "floating hands" are executed flawlessly with an equal amount of black on the stem of each hand (not to mention matte paint to match the matte dial, but that's not my concern here).

Clearly Rolex had the 1655 in mind, so why did they deviate from that design with respect to the amount of black paint on each hand? There must be some positive reason, right? Obviously no one here will KNOW, but we can all SPECULATE and THEORIZE.

Why do I care so much? Because I'm enamored with the watch but am having a hell of a time deciding between black and polar dials!

You're 100% correct, we will never know why the good folks at Wildorfs house decided on the gloss hands on the Noir dial, general consensus on TRF choose the white dial over the noir and to me that let's me know I made the correct choice in going Noir. I think you should take a strong look at both side by side and go with the one that moves you... I have never been concerned with what other folks deem as popular or cool, I am a fan of abstract and quirky timepieces. A part of me hates it when everything works and is in order

After years of owning my 216570 I'm still very happy with my purchase!



I'm not typing what I really want to say, however, good luck with your choice!

[BJHofkin]

Originally Posted by FremStar

You're 100% correct, we will never know why the good folks at Wildorfs house decided on the gloss hands on the Noir dial, general consensus on TRF choose the white dial over the noir and to me that let's me know I made the correct choice in going Noir. I think you should take a strong look at both side by side and go with the one that moves you... I have never been concerned with what other folks deem as popular or cool, I am a fan of abstract and quirky timepieces. A part of me hates it when everything works and is in order

After years of owning my 216570 I'm still very happy with my purchase!



I'm not typing what I really want to say, however, good luck with your choice!

Any thoughts on the uneven amounts of black?

And what, exactly, do you REALLY want to say but aren't saying?

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by BJHofkin

Any thoughts on the uneven amounts of black?

And what, exactly, do you REALLY want to say but aren't saying?

Taking a closer look at my 216570 I don't notice the unevenness you're mentioning. I personally feel the gloss works perfectly on it... Matte on the 1655 and gloss on the updated 216570 looks good to me.

[BJHofkin]

Originally Posted by FremStar

Taking a closer look at my 216570 I don't notice the unevenness you're mentioning. I personally feel the gloss works perfectly on it... Matte on the 1655 and gloss on the updated 216570 looks good to me.

Apologies—my language wasn't clear.

When I say unevenness, I mean the LENGTH of the black part of each hand is different on each hand (longest on the 24-hr hand, shortest on the hour hand). With the Freccione, there was the same LENGTH of black on each of the three hands, as you can see in your photos.

Any thoughts on the question I'm asking, now that I've explained it better?

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by BJHofkin

Apologies—my language wasn't clear.

When I say unevenness, I mean the LENGTH of the black part of each hand is different on each hand (longest on the 24-hr hand, shortest on the hour hand). With the Freccione, there was the same LENGTH of black on each of the three hands, as you can see in your photos.

Any thoughts on the question I'm asking, now that I've explained it better?

The only explanation I can conjure up is the stubby hands on the 216570 vs. the rail thin 1655 hands. The length of the applied markers on the noir dial still don't detract from the watch for me. I think you might be better off with the polar, if you go noir you may have a few resentments and that is the worst thing you can have when you want to enjoy your timepiece!

Here are some parting pics, I have to be up at 4:30am

[Nidal]

Originally Posted by mattcantwin

They did it so I would buy the white dial.

This is a stunning NATO strap color

[Nidal]

I think the current exp would have been a home run if they used retro hands on the watch with nine glossy finish on them

[strafer_kid]

The debate could go on forever here - in any event, both versions of the 42mm are very nice and as always, it comes down to personal preference. Super watch all in!

[Rashid.bk]

This is the bad part about TRF, the indecision.....
Threads come up with little details and all the sudden you now see it too.
Before I would walk into an AD and just pick what I like, now it's like an OJ Simpson trial trying to decide which one.

I liked the black, then 100% white because the hands thing, now after Sam's classic pictures, the Polar's orange hand looks sterile and unfinished, never even considered this but now I kind of think the black makes more sense visually and historically. Just wish the paint matched the dial.

[HRC-E.B.]

All I know is that the dial/hand design works well for me! The watch is super easy to read, looks balanced and very swell, both in general appearance and in when looked at in detail.

It looks different in different kinds of light, and I woudn't judge the watch based on pictures only.

Based on pictures, I thought I wanted a white-dial version, and as soon as I saw the watch in person, it became clear to me that they are two VERY different watches, intended for different purposes and tastes.

The black looks 10 times better in the flesh than it does in pictures, is very versatile, and I keep thinking that the design is very well thought through.

Super happy with mine!

[BJHofkin]

Originally Posted by HRC-E.B.

All I know is that the dial/hand design works well for me! The watch is super easy to read, looks balanced and very swell, both in general appearance and in when looked at in detail.

It looks different in different kinds of light, and I woudn't judge the watch based on pictures only.

Based on pictures, I thought I wanted a white-dial version, and as soon as I saw the watch in person, it became clear to me that they are two VERY different watches, intended for different purposes and tastes.

The black looks 10 times better in the flesh than it does in pictures, is very versatile, and I keep thinking that the design is very well thought through.

Super happy with mine!

Agreed—although some of the photos posted here do a pretty good job.

It's a really, REALLY tough call between black and polar. It's not out of the realm of possibility that I would choose…BOTH. Is that nuts?

[KINGROLESAR]

Yes it's crazy. Pick the white dial and be done with it. Later on get this-

[Flyjet601]

There are bigger things in life to worry about then this.....assuming one has life

Buy what you like and move on.....

[DCgator]

I looked at both at an AD and in two minutes I knew the one with the polar dial was what I wanted. So clean, crisp, and easy on the eyes day or night.

[HRC-E.B.]

In my opinion, the gloss black on the hands is to reflect the glossy finish of the rhodium plated gold hands. The matte black used in the earlier version was to fit with the matte white finish of the bâton hands.

Got my 216570 (black) back from RSC last week and I had forgotten how much I enjoy wearing that watch. It looks so good and is such a pleasure to wear!

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by HRC-E.B.

In my opinion, the gloss black on the hands is to reflect the glossy finish of the rhodium plated gold hands. The matte black used in the earlier version was to fit with the matte white finish of the bâton hands.

Got my 216570 (black) back from RSC last week and I had forgotten how much I enjoy wearing that watch. It looks so good and is such a pleasure to wear!

^ This is a good observation

It's worth mentioning again that the black dial of the 216570 is a satin finish (not a true matte) and appears brownish in certain light. I think this would look a bit odd for the base of the hands, and the glossier black finish works better overall with the hands. Btw, I believe the hands are white gold, at least according to the spec sheet I have (below)
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OYSTER PERPETUAL EXPLORER II

CASE
Type: OYSTER (monobloc middle case, screw-down case back
and winding crown)

Diameter: 42 mm

Material: 904L stainless steel superalloy, polished and satin finished
Case back Screw-down with Rolex fluting

Bezel: Fixed, 24-hour graduated, sun satin finished, polished bevelled edge

Winding crown: Screw-down, TWINLOCK double waterproofness system
Shoulders to protect the crown

Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire
CYCLOPS lens (2.5 ×) over the date, double anti-reflective coating Waterproofness 100 metres (330 feet)

MOVEMENT
Calibre 3187, Manufacture RolexPrecision Officially certified Swiss chronometer

Functions:
. 24-hour hand GMT with independent rapid-setting of the hour hand
. Instantaneous date at 3 o’clock
. Stop-seconds for precise time setting
. Oscillator Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour (4 Hz)
. Non-magnetic blue PARACHROM hairspring
. Breguet overcoil
. Large balance wheel with variable inertia
. High-precision regulating via four gold MICROSTELL A nuts
. Traversing (full) balance bridge
. High-performance PARAFLEX shock absorbers
. Jewelling 31 rubies
. Winding Bidirectional self-winding via PERPETUAL rotor
. Power reserve Approximately 48 hours

DIALS
- White lacquered
CHROMALIGHT display with long-lasting luminescence
Hands White gold, wide, hollowed, black lacquered
Orange 24-hour hand

- Black, satin finished
CHROMALIGHT display with long-lasting luminescence
Hands White gold, wide, hollowed, “phantom effect” (black base on black dial)
Orange 24-hour hand, “phantom effect” (black base on black dial)
Hour markers Highly legible white gold appliques

BRACELET
Type OYSTER, three-piece solid links
Material 904L steel superalloy, satin finished, polished edge
Clasp OYSTERLOCK folding clasp with safety catch
EASYLINK 5 mm comfort extension link
REFERENCE (CASE – BRACELET): 216570 – 77210

[iclick]

Originally Posted by Tools

...and why in the world do they use a bar at the 6 and 9 positions and a triangle at the 12... and that triangle is up-side down for some crazy reason..

Tradition?