Polar or black dial

[rockysw]

I am thinking about getting a 216570 as a daily wearer. But I am confused between the dial colours. The reality is that I like both. Whichever one I look at, I think I quite like it.

I find the white dial just a bit cooler compared to the black dial but then the hands on black dial (part black part silver) feel very cool.

Do people prefer one over the other in terms of having the watch as daily wearer?

[BumbleB]

Originally Posted by rockysw

I am thinking about getting a 216570 as a daily wearer. But I am confused between the dial colours. The reality is that I like both. Whichever one I look at, I think I quite like it.

I find the white dial just a bit cooler compared to the black dial but then the hands on black dial (part black part silver) feel very cool.

Do people prefer one over the other in terms of having the watch as daily wearer?

I have both, if I’m honest I would prefer the polar but it depends what else is in your collection too. As a daily wearer a black dial would be more subtle and polar perhaps a bit louder.




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[Guppydriver]

I mean....

The market gives you a better indication. The white dial commands both a substantial premium on the gray market and a (typically) longer wait from the AD.

There will be plenty black dial fans who are passionate to express their preference on the forum.

I tried on a black dial exhibition yesterday in Park City. It was awesome.

My personal opinion is that the polar preference primarily comes from the diversity it adds to the collection of many Rolex afficionados. There are a lot of black dial Rolex and Tudor SS sport models available, and I bet most collectors have one or two of them. The polar dial really spruces up a collection. It's a special piece to be sure.

I like both but prefer white. Don't sleep on the black dial though! Interestingly enough, my AD told me the the 216570 white dial was probably the watch he would have the hardest time allocating for me of the "usual suspects".

[Wcdhtwn]

Both are great but the black dial as a whole is more attractive to my eye. Then considering legibility the Polar is far and away the better. What’s the point of a cool looking watch you can’t read? White dial for me.

[Rolex1982]

I like the white one more.

[Polarexplorerii]

white

[Tylerlsu2008]

Polar -- it's truly a special piece.

[burnthesehills]

I prefer the polar dial.

[KatGirl]

Polar dial stands out!

Kat


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[DJFanUK]

Heavily biased towards the polar Dial..... As some have said above, it gives a nice alternative to the multiple black dials available.

The polar is a stunning piece

[Brian Page]

Polar, but to be expected on the forum, I have one but it's not my daily - however it is my only white dial so of course it's polar for me too

[PenDelicate]

From BumbleB's photo above, the white dial looks quite flat while the black dial looks wonderfully deep.

[TheDogHouse]

I suggest trying both on and seeing which one gives you that feeling.

[ol' Rex]

Originally Posted by TheDogHouse

I suggest trying both on and seeing which one gives you that feeling.

This is the only way to make an informed decision!

[Ny325]

Polar.

[enjoythemusic]

Polar, as there's plenty of black dial Rolex to add in the future.

[TNT009]

Black!

[Harry-57]

There is no correct answer. Eye of the beholder and all that.



The white 216570 was my first Rolex. Bought in 2018 from my AD on a walk in with a discount. Seems like another world now.

I liked the floating hands of the black version (not carried over to the new model unfortunately) but the black edged hands and indices loaded with blue lume which you can see in daylight against the pure white dial give it a unique aesthetic and makes it the most legible watch I have ever owned. In half light the lumes can impart a blue glow to the dial. The orange GMT hand finishes it off well. You couldn't mistake it for anything else.

[Normunds]

I have only white and it’s awesome, doesn’t look like effing Rolex :)

[Kenny G]

I prefer the black. If you have a huge wrist the Polar would look good though. If not, it’s just too large of a dial for white imo.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

There is no correct answer. Eye of the beholder and all that.



The white 216570 was my first Rolex. Bought in 2018 from my AD on a walk in with a discount. Seems like another world now.

I liked the floating hands of the black version (not carried over to the new model unfortunately) but the black edged hands and indices loaded with blue lume which you can see in daylight against the pure white dial give it a unique aesthetic and makes it the most legible watch I have ever owned. In half light the lumes can impart a blue glow to the dial. The orange GMT hand finishes it off well. You couldn't mistake it for anything else.

Really well said

[rockysw]

thanks all. I am leaning towards the white. As a few people have said that there are quite a few black dial rolexes. Also just thinking if I go for black dial then why not go for the 5 digit submariner (they are quite different yet similar in a rolex-y way).

The pre-owned prices are very good on both of these (I am surprised that even watchfinder has them listed around market prices now which is why I am considering pulling the trigger).

[Jackie Daytona]

I would go white in a 216570.

I’ve always loved the Exp. II line. I had a 216570 however and just couldn’t bond with it. I had preferred the black dial as the orange just popped a bit more on black, however I’m not sure why Rolex put a sort of satin finish on the dial. I wouldn’t say it’s full matte.

However this bugged me a lot, the black part of the ghost hands is gloss and it almost felt like a defect for me not matching. Plus it would’ve looked so much better in gloss IMO.

Still love the aesthetic, but don’t really regret moving it from the collection.

[Navin Johnson]

I recently turned down a black dial to wait for the polar. It was only two weeks waiting before the black dial was offered. Months later and Still waiting for the polar.

[Starhutch]

The polar Explorer is a total stand out in the Rolex lineup. Nothing like it!

[TimeAZ]

both great but the polar is superb!

[B2 Stealth]

Good enough for the British SAS, good enough for me! Polar is the way to go. Rolex last true "tool" watch. Love mine as an everyday!

[DoctorsOrders]

Polar!

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I had the polar 216570 and wanted the set so I bought the black 226570. Within a couple of weeks I no longer cared about the set and sold the polar, the black was that good. The white gold hands, the way the orange pops against the black and the slightly wider bracelet make it far and away better on my wrist. Yes, the Polar is unique but unique wasn’t enough.

[APPRF]

Polar. The only 2 white dials in the Rolex sports lineup are the Panda and Polar. The contrast between the white and black is the main thing on both, they are both so special.