Advice required on watch face clarity

[kanderson1965]

I am looking to buy my first Rolex and am looking for advice regarding clarity of Rolex dials on the various models. As a bit of background, my eyesight is not the best and I have struggled in the past with contrast between the dial, hands and markers on previously owned watches. I have recently been window shopping at my local ADs, however it is difficult to judge clarity due to the glare from the display lights and other watches in the window. I know the best course of action is to try some in the shop but I wish to narrow down the choices to those most suitable to my needs before doing so.
Basically I have around £5k to spend and am looking for an all round watch to use everyday. At work, I wear shirt and tie, sometimes a suit. Out of work, I am a chinos/cords and butten down shirt type of guy. I tend towards dressier types of watches but I will not turm my nose up at a sportier type if it meets my primary need of clarity. Any advice of a good conbination of model and dial combination would be appreciated.

[padi56]

Any watch with say a Arabic or Roman number dial black or white dial.

[joe100]

Go with dark dials or a 16570 white dial. These have black hands contrasted against a white dial. Gorgeous and easy to read

[Boothroyd]

DJ II black dial (white stick markers). A little larger and very good contrast. The white dial could work for you also.

[kanderson1965]

Many thanks for the advice so far, how does the Explorer fare for readability as although I like the contrast on the white Explorer II dial, it looks a bit busy with the extra hour hand?

[mike]

Originally Posted by kanderson1965

Many thanks for the advice so far, how does the Explorer fare for readability as although I like the contrast on the white Explorer II dial, it looks a bit busy with the extra hour hand?

It's excellent, and the white expII might be a bit of a problem in dim light. I have both the white and the black EXP II and find-for me- the black gives better readability in all conditions.

The Explorer might well suit you as a watch that can dress up or down as well.

[MrSimba]

Originally Posted by mike

It's excellent, and the white expII might be a bit of a problem in dim light. I have both the white and the black EXP II and find-for me- the black gives better readability in all conditions.

The Explorer might well suit you as a watch that can dress up or down as well.

Surprised about that Mike, I also have both black & white dial Explorer's & find the white dial probably the easiest to read dial not just out of the two but out of any watch I can think of!

The phantom hands of the black dial whilst beautiful don't have the contrast that the Polar's do!

Love both though & here they are!

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by kanderson1965

I am looking to buy my first Rolex and am looking for advice regarding clarity of Rolex dials on the various models. As a bit of background, my eyesight is not the best and I have struggled in the past with contrast between the dial, hands and markers on previously owned watches. I have recently been window shopping at my local ADs, however it is difficult to judge clarity due to the glare from the display lights and other watches in the window. I know the best course of action is to try some in the shop but I wish to narrow down the choices to those most suitable to my needs before doing so.
Basically I have around £5k to spend and am looking for an all round watch to use everyday. At work, I wear shirt and tie, sometimes a suit. Out of work, I am a chinos/cords and butten down shirt type of guy. I tend towards dressier types of watches but I will not turm my nose up at a sportier type if it meets my primary need of clarity. Any advice of a good conbination of model and dial combination would be appreciated.

I'm wondering if a larger watch, 42mm vs. 40mm, would be better for you. For Rolex that's really just the Explorer II. I also don't have great eyesight and sometimes struggle to read my 40mm GMT. However my 42mm Seamaster doesn't present any problems. I've looked at the Explorer II's and find the white face easier to read, but I think the black face is a bit better looking. But here I'd have to side with functionality and choose the easier to read watch, the white face. Which is still a great looking watch...

[up2nogood]

I have a feeling my 42mm polar Explorer II is the watch I'll be wearing with failing eyesight....

[MrSimba]

Originally Posted by up2nogood

I have a feeling my 42mm polar Explorer II is the watch I'll be wearing with failing eyesight....

You will absolutely love it for many years to come I'm sure!

[watchwatcher]

I think if you're looking for clarity and you tend toward dressier watches, something like this...

[J!m]

Not a Rolex but my planet ocean is very easy to read in all lighting conditions.

The crystal is double ar coated, which can pick up exterior scratches (mine has plenty) but it makes a big difference cutting glare. The flat rolex crystals do you no favors in the glare department either.

Older omegas have ar inside only, and better than none but dual is really the easiest to read, particularly on the domed sapphire.

Plus you save a lot of money.

More dressy would be the Aqua Tera but I don't own one.

I had a great white gmt omega before and I found the lack of contrast a big problem when the light was low and the markers were not glowing. Under the same conditions the polar explorer would have the same issues I suspect. And it has a flat crystal whereas the older omega was also domed.

Plenty of options but maybe I gave you some food for thought for what to consider.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

I think if you're looking for clarity and you tend toward dressier watches, something like this...

Yup, this would be my choice, beautiful blue and a little dressier for you.

[Old Expat Beast]

For ultimate clarity, the Tudor Ranger.

[AzHadEnuf]

If you can step over to Tudor, my weak eyes can read this half way across the room. It also comes in at about half your budget.

[AzHadEnuf]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

For ultimate clarity, the Tudor Ranger.

That's so funny Adam. Just saw that.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by AzHadEnuf

That's so funny Adam. Just saw that.

It's the obvious choice Ralph.

[sutats]

Try an Explorer II. The high contrast black hands on white dial is really easy on the eyes. Failing that how about a Panerai?

[SemperFi]

All of the above is excellent advice. All I can add is that for me, silver dials are the most difficult to read because of lack of contrast between dial and watch hands. Black and white dials seem to offer the most clarity.
Have fun deciding and enjoy the hunt.

[mike]

Originally Posted by MrSimba

Surprised about that Mike, I also have both black & white dial Explorer's & find the white dial probably the easiest to read dial not just out of the two but out of any watch I can think of!

The phantom hands of the black dial whilst beautiful don't have the contrast that the Polar's do!

Love both though & here they are!

We're all different. For me it's in conditions that little light and the lume is weak. The contrast of the black dial and we hands seems to cure that.

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by kanderson1965

I am looking to buy my first Rolex and am looking for advice regarding clarity of Rolex dials on the various models. As a bit of background, my eyesight is not the best and I have struggled in the past with contrast between the dial, hands and markers on previously owned watches. I have recently been window shopping at my local ADs, however it is difficult to judge clarity due to the glare from the display lights and other watches in the window. I know the best course of action is to try some in the shop but I wish to narrow down the choices to those most suitable to my needs before doing so.
Basically I have around £5k to spend and am looking for an all round watch to use everyday. At work, I wear shirt and tie, sometimes a suit. Out of work, I am a chinos/cords and butten down shirt type of guy. I tend towards dressier types of watches but I will not turm my nose up at a sportier type if it meets my primary need of clarity. Any advice of a good conbination of model and dial combination would be appreciated.

Unfortunately the only place that Rolex watches treat the crystal with anti-reflective coating is where the cyclops is. If that glare bothers you keep in mind that NO rolex has AR. Just saying....maybe not the best option.

[BBQ BOY]

My eyes are getting poorer and poorer each passing year. I had the polar Exp2(42mm) and sold it. I am looking to obtain the watch again. It is a fantastic watch and soon legible. However, it is on the sporty side but I wore the watch in dress slacks, button downs and blazers. It wore just fine. The DJ2 may be an option too.
Someone did bring up a valid point about Omega using AR coating on both sides of their glass. It certainly looks clearer than Rolex, although I never felt the negative effects of no AR coating on my Exp2 for some reason. With that being said, i think you should look at the Omega Aqua Terra as well.

[Fiddler]

Polar Exp. II

[Tri-Tip]

Exp II Polar is extremely easy to read.

[kanderson1965]

Thank you all for the advice, I think I have narrowed down my search to the DJ II and the Explorer II, I asume the polar refers to the white dial. I also like the look of that Tudor Ranger and as it happenes I will be walking past my local Tudor AD later today. I have also spotted the new Tudor North Flag which also seems worth a look

[springbar]

Originally Posted by kanderson1965

Thank you all for the advice, I think I have narrowed down my search to the DJ II and the Explorer II, I asume the polar refers to the white dial. I also like the look of that Tudor Ranger and as it happenes I will be walking past my local Tudor AD later today. I have also spotted the new Tudor North Flag which also seems worth a look

The white dial Explorer II will be better. The hands are painted black, so they always contrast against the dial.

The Datejust and black-dial Explorer II have mirror-finish hands, so they look like whatever they're reflecting. If you're wearing a dark outfit in a dim room, the contrast will go down.

Also, 42mm Explorer IIs have much more lume area on the hands and markers than the Datejust.

[VinnieVegas]

The clearest watch in my collection is the polar explorer ii so I'd say a white dial is optimal.

[kanderson1965]

Having seen the 216570 in the flesh I have descided that it is just a bit too much despite the excellent visibility. I have however seen the older 40mm 16570 model in my local SH dealer at what seems reasonable prices . They have several examples dating from 1996 to 2007. I find the clarity good without the "shoutiness" of the present model (almost like what would be my grail, a white dialled GMT Master). My question is what are the cons of purchasing an older model as an inexperienced purchaser, are there any specific things to look out for.

[new2rolexforums]

Buying an used watch is a great way to save a few bucks but there are many cons if you are not buying from a reputable dealer. The watch may be a fake, (water) damaged, overpolished, etc.

The key is to "buy the seller" not the watch. I would say that people on this forum are watch enthusiasts / novices who often buy and sell watches out of interest. This is generally not the case on sites like ebay or craigslist where profit is the motivation. You can research the buyer/seller here whereas you only have limited info on ebay and none on craigslist.

If you are buying the used watch from an AD, you are basically good to go. Just remember to inquire about the warranty.

[Annan]

By far, the most legible Rolex I have owned was the EXPII (216570) white dial. A close second is my GMTII-C and I'm sure a Sub would be similar. The least legible Rolex I had was a Date with champagne dial. IMO the best choice is any model with a maxi dial and with a white or black dial. I would avoid any dial with a pattern or in a color that's close to the color of the hands.