Intro - Black or White?

[R. Francis]

Hello TRF!
First off I'd like to say I'm thankful for finding such an awesome forum to discuss my newfound recent obsession. For years I've been into watches but my interest in Rolex began a couple of months ago with vintage Rolex watches, namely the Explorer I 1016. I enjoy reading articles and scouring the internet about obscure references. So I stumbled upon the vintage Rolex section here at TRF after reading about it from another forum (so much eye candy...) and I've remained here since. Took me a couple weeks of lurking and reading to finally make an account, but here I am. First thread

Buying a vintage Rolex from what I understand can get pretty hairy for a newbie like me. So after doing some digging and finding a picture of an Explorer II 216570 submerged in ice water on the main Rolex website it was love at first sight. Going to go for a newer model.



It's taken me a LONG time to to break it down to this last one. Had to rule out the black dial GV Milgauss, the GMT BLNR, and even the stunning new 214270.

I know these threads have been done before (I've read them all), but I'm in desperate need for someone to push me from either side of the fence for my first Rolex. Initially, I thought I was set on the polar dial, but wow the black dial is amazing in person. I like them equally, and finally wised up after several trips to my local Rolex boutique to take pics of them on my wrist. And I know it's no thread without pics, so here's mine. What say you, black or white?
P.S. Sorry if this is in the wrong forum.

[adawil2002]

Polar, always polar on an Explorer II. Best Rolex pound for pound in my opinion. I've had one for 30 years.

[DeltaRol]

I was in love with the Polar 216570 and had planned to purchase UNTIL I tried on the black dial. Had to have it. No regrets. IMO it looks better with a suit, even though I dress casually for work. It is my only watch.

[TonyD]

+1 for Polar. Should have made this a poll......

[R. Francis]

I had a lot of trouble finding the poll option, and am still looking for it. Maybe I need to have my eyes checked.

Although, I appreciate all of your responses!

[grnbean]

+1 for Polar
Let us know what you end up getting!

[R. Francis]

Originally Posted by adawil2002

Polar, always polar on an Explorer II. Best Rolex pound for pound in my opinion. I've had one for 30 years.

Shoutout to the cream dial, and hope you have 30 more years with that beauty.

Originally Posted by DeltaRol

I was in love with the Polar 216570 and had planned to purchase UNTIL I tried on the black dial. Had to have it. No regrets. IMO it looks better with a suit, even though I dress casually for work. It is my only watch.

The black dial is easy on the eyes when it's on the wrist. I've looked at so many pictures and videos, but it's still totally different when you're wearing it. Maybe because of the white gold indices and hands catching the light?

[DeltaRol]

Yes those white gold hands. The detail of the black dial set it apart for me.

[ap1]

White pops on that one

[usood89]

I also have always liked the polar but black in person is off the charts. If it's your only fine watch then black. If you have another black dial watch or plan on getting one soon, then polar.

FWIW it looks pretty big on your wrist. I also have small wrists so I know the struggle.

[AK797]

Black for me, the orange really pops against it, and it also wears less wide than white.

[MrGMT]

I really don't like white face watches but for some reason I really love the explorer 2 polar my brother in law has one and it's very nice on

[R. Francis]

Originally Posted by usood89

I also have always liked the polar but black in person is off the charts. If it's your only fine watch then black. If you have another black dial watch or plan on getting one soon, then polar.

FWIW it looks pretty big on your wrist. I also have small wrists so I know the struggle.

I can see myself getting the Explorer I as a second watch so you make a fair point.

And does it? I have 6" wrists This will be my first purchase >40mm so I knew I was stretching the limit. I wear my watches higher up on my wrist and fairly snug so I felt the Exp II was a little bit more wearable. Especially since the thinner curved lugs hug my wrist so comfortably.
I've toyed with the idea of a 36mm 114270, but the I can't pass up chromalight, especially how it looks on an Exp II despite the size.

[Speed]

I prefer the older 40mm Polar model. Both newer 42mm watches seem out of proportion. The stubby hour hand looks cartoony to my eyes.

On the black dial, the base of orange hand is painted glossy black - while the dial is matte! Oof. I think the idea was to make the hand look like it was floating around the dial...but the mismatch in paint seems careless and negates the effort.

If you are set on a new watch so be it...but the classic version deserves a look.

[watchwatcher]

Really, you can't go wrong with either one.

I started with the white one, but over the years, my tastes (and collection) has evolved to where the black is the one for me.

[mastersub]

Get the Polar. It's incredibly legible and the white dial is unique. You'll probably end up with (or own already) other black dial Rolex sports watches.

[hallidc]

I owned the black dial in the past and definitely wished I went with polar. Its' just something about the white dial and the orange hand that screams out to me.

[FremStar]

Love these types of threads! I used to own a 1655, however, felt that tracking down a complete birth year set from the 80's would have been fun so moved it...





Fast forward to today the 216570 is one of my absolute favorite modern references. Both watches to me are nice and significantly deviate from our traditional Sub and GMT watches. I went Noir first then decided to add the white later... Can't really go wrong with either!



Good luck!

[Castiel]

Black dial for me.

[travisb]

I've had both but white wins out for me.

[darwin95]

I had white one. I would do black if I do it again. Sorry no help for you.

[weeone]

Another vote for polar.

[218225]

Originally Posted by usood89

I also have always liked the polar but black in person is off the charts. If it's your only fine watch then black. If you have another black dial watch or plan on getting one soon, then polar.

FWIW it looks pretty big on your wrist. I also have small wrists so I know the struggle.

Black and black!



Best combo ever

[wuyeah]

Polar. Then you can be Prince Harry's watch buddy for life!

[218225]

A lady at the AD once remarked that people bought then black becauae it was more masculine.
A grey dealer at tne same time told me that the polar had initially sold like crazy, but after two years a lot were traded for black dials.

[R. Francis]

Originally Posted by Speed

I prefer the older 40mm Polar model. Both newer 42mm watches seem out of proportion. The stubby hour hand looks cartoony to my eyes.

On the black dial, the base of orange hand is painted glossy black - while the dial is matte! Oof. I think the idea was to make the hand look like it was floating around the dial...but the mismatch in paint seems careless and negates the effort.

If you are set on a new watch so be it...but the classic version deserves a look.

I hear you there. I've definitely considered the 40mm. Looking at the dial, it feels more restrained with the smaller indices. And more minimal, with it's 24hr hand similar to the GMT models.
Unfortunately, it's because of beautiful pics of the 1655 like the ones Fremstar and 218 posted that I can't yet rid my infatuation with that orange hand.

[datejust24]

I'd go black personally...I dig the white and all but the black just looks at home...surprising the size difference bt the modern and the 1655...sure as hell looks bigger than 2mm difference.

[218225]

You could try to mod an older 40mm model with the 42mm hands.

[RamyAshour]

I definitely thought Polar at first, but in person I think the Black dial is much cooler and better looking. However, I am slightly annoyed at the "phantom" effect on the hands on the black dial, as I dont think it is as well executed as you would expect from Rolex. Still not sure if that is a dealbreaker for me ;)

[WAK4]

White.

The black hands and lume surrounds really pop on the white. The newer black models have the "floating" 24 hour hand that doesn't match the dial and sticks out vs blending in and bugs me a bit. White dials are not common on Rolex sports models (Subs, GMT, etc) and if you plan to add Rolex in the future, it'll be different in that regard.