126 - ROLEX REF. 16550, OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE EXPLORER II “CREAM RAIL DIAL”, STAINLESS STEEL A rare stainless steel automatic dual-time wristwatch with cream “rail” dial, date, 24-hour indication and Oyster bracelet.

ROLEX REF. 16550, OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE EXPLORER II “CREAM RAIL DIAL”, STAINLESS STEEL A rare stainless steel automatic dual-time wristwatch with cream “rail” dial, date, 24-hour indication and Oyster bracelet. Year: Circa 1986 Dial: Cream-coloured “rail” dial with luminous dot, baton and triangular hour markers, Mercedes hands, centre seconds, red-tipped 24-hour hand and date aperture at 3 o’clock with Cyclops magnifier. The chronometer text displays the characteristic symmetrical “rail” configuration, signed Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Explorer II Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified. Calibre: Rolex automatic calibre 3085, 27 jewels, numbered 1’693’006. Case: Stainless steel Oyster case with fixed engraved 24-hour bezel, screw-down crown and screw-down case back, serial numbered 9’160’396, inner case back stamped 16550. Diameter: Approx. 39 mm Gross Weight: Approx. 122 g Bracelet: Rolex stainless steel Oyster bracelet, ref. 78360, clasp code K10, approx. 185 mm. Accessories: Accompanied by original Rolex presentation box, Official Chronometer Certification and literature. Signature: Dial, movement, case, crown, bracelet and clasp. Produced for a relatively short period during the 1980s, the Rolex Explorer II ref. 16550 is a fascinating transitional reference between the original 1655 and the later 16570. Among its most desirable variations is the celebrated “Cream Rail Dial”. Originally manufactured with a white dial, certain examples gradually developed a distinctive ivory colour due to the ageing of the dial lacquer, an unexpected characteristic that has since become particularly prized by collectors. The term “Rail Dial” refers to the symmetrical alignment of the chronometer certification text, creating a distinctive vertical separation between the words. Dating from circa 1986, the present example combines these two sought-after features with an attractive, warm cream patina, and comes with its original box and papers, making it a particularly appealing example of one of the most collectible Explorer II references.