I want to buy a watch for my Dad Black dial or Cream?

I went with the black mostly because the contrast between the numerals and black dial make it easier to read. 

Cream’s nice. It‘s a little less obtrusive…a little more mellow.

Same here, the contrast of the black is better for readability and closer of what I think when you say Explo 1.

Does he have any other watches with black or cream colored faces?

If he likes mostly black then stick with that. 

Maybe get him a Smiths if you can find one?  

I think you’d minimize risk by asking him directly or having someone else ask. Maybe not the watches themselves but how he feels about cream dials. To parrot @Matt84, that’s a common complaint in older collectors for silver or cream dials that the legibility’s low

Even though it’s cream and not stark white, i still think it’s more open to matching anything than the black dial, but the black dial is more legible 🤷

Black for better versatility and legibility. Though I believe the black is currently sold out. Should be back by next June though. 

Let legibility be your watchword 

Black dial will be easier to read and he'll feel like the badass he is!

I totally get what you're saying, and that's my thinking if it was for me. But it's for the old guy and well maybe the cream would work better in more situations he is likely to be in? 

Thanks for your help though 👍🙏

That is very true.👍

Very salient point.

Yes I'm sure there will be a restock before next June.

I voted cream because I think it's more elegant and would look nicer on leather straps.

The Cream will be his go-to when he wants to wear his OP but is wary of it on that occasion. 

Or maybe he deserves both. 😜

Get him the one that you like more. If he doesn't end up liking it, keep it for yourself, and then buy him the other one. Win-win! 😂 Just kidding. The cream dial one is classy, where the black is a safe bet. I'd personally pick the cream. 

Variety is the spice of life. Go with the cream dial!

I am leaning heavily in that direction despite the poll going the other way. I expected the black to be most popular.

Your dad looks already set with a black dial Seamaster and white dial OP.

Go for cream dial, it will be meaningful for him that way.

I think you are absolutely right. That's what I thought to start with. But having done this Poll the results are as I expected but the advice and comments have helped me to fix the decision as right for Dad. Thanks for taking the time to vote and give me your thoughts.

May I just say thank you to everyone who has voted on my poll and or taken the time to pass on their thoughts and advice.

I really appreciate all of your help and comments 🙏.

I have come to a decision, based on what I know about my Dad and his current collection of watch's and how he uses them.

I will be getting him the Cream Dial. Which was my initial idea and with the help of everyone here I have confirmed that is the right one for the occasion. 

So thanks again guy and gals, this was a very interesting experience.👍🙏

When I glanced at the poll - I only read the title and saw a couple of rolex explorers (pics I think are partially cut off on the main page).  My dads watch for 50 years was a '67 black explorer - so clicked the black one before realizing it was something else.  Was thinking you were getting him quite a nice but pricey gift!

Ah no not Rolex, something a bit more everyday, but nice non the less.

He has a few nice watches and a white dial  OP is one of of them. But it doesn't get worn often these days.  Thanks for voting.

Ok well that's thrown a spanner in the works. 

Well I just spoke to my Dad and casually threw a random question into our non watch related conversation. Based on the advice of @K.evin that it might be best to ask him what he likes best, I kind of did just that. 

Transpires he likes Black best! So thanks Kevin , good advice. But I think I like the Cream one best now, so I am going to have to get one of each! As I said thanks Kev.⌚😆🤷🙏😉👍😂

Happy to help! Your dad is lucky to have you

I am 61 and quite frankly am sick of black dial watches ( probably due to my time on the planet ) White watches always were on my chilled Uncles and all my serious crotchety old dude relatives had on black or champagne sunburst dials . My decision was based on subjective experience I suppose .

Well I am right with you in this respect. I am going to get my Dad a black dial, because I asked him what he preferred in the end. Kind of killing the surprise a little but safer too.

However I'm gonna get me a cream dial because I think it's really awesome and a change from my usual black dial's.

And goddamit I have just found out today that my wife really likes the Ice blue version they do which comes with a jubilee style bracelet. Going to be an expensive year.🤷😆👍

Thanks for your vote.

Thanks to everyone for their opinions and helping me make a decision. Which is a good thing as I would have gone the opposite way with out your input.

I have ordered Dad a black dial as that what he said he preferred ( I asked) and a cream dial for me😅👍