THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 16550
YEAR: 1987
CASE DIAMETER: 40mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

Despite its short four-year production run, the 16550 went through several dial variations. Early examples featured white-gold surrounds (WGS) on the hour markers, while later ones switched to black surrounds. By far the most desirable are the “cream dial” versions. 

What we have here, however, is something of an anomaly. At first glance, the watch displays the lovely creamy tritium markers and hands that collectors prize on the 16550. But look closer, and you’ll notice the dial itself has remained pure white with no colour shift at all. Instead, it presents a satin-like finish, seemingly lacking the usual top layer of lacquer. Only a handful of examples are known to exist, and while information remains scarce, it does not stop us from appreciating the quirky variations within this reference.