Explorer II 216570 vs 226570

[wuyeah]

Its been a while since the release of 226570 and I have seen multiple of ppl already bought them through AD. I am owner of 216570 but looking at multiple sources comparing the two differences in detail, I still prefer the 216570. I like polish black hands better than matte black hands and other changes. I didn't had a chance to go for 226570 but if I were able to choose, I prob will still pick 216570. Am I in the few prefer previous release better?

Do you prefer the overall 226570 or you prefer 216570 just curious.

[DDDan]

I prefer the shiny hands on the 216570 and also the floating hands on the black dial version. There’s not enough difference in the case and bracelet to really prefer one or the other with any specificity, so for me those two points alone sway me to the 216, but I’d be happy with either to be honest.

[wuyeah]

There aren't many videos doing head to head comparison. Besides the obvious handset, Lugs are shaved and bracelet is resized. Then there are AR coating applied on underside of main crystal and on cyclops.

Some are talking about bezel is slightly resized made dial looks bigger but to be honest I don't know if this claim were true. They look the same to me.

[wuyeah]

226570 poll is coming strong!

[rmwill]

22 - Better proportioned case, better movement. Mine is accurate to under 1 second a day and power reserve for days.

[mailman]

I prefer the 226570. I know the hands on the previous version are a tip of the hat to the 1655. I prefer the hands on the newer one which is why I voted the way I did. No wrong answer as both are great watches

[MrMercedes]

Originally Posted by rmwill

22 - Better proportioned case, better movement. Mine is accurate to under 1 second a day and power reserve for days.

100% agree! Mine is under 2 seconds a week! The best movement of all my watches.

[peterp]

Anyone owns 225670 with wrist ca. 6,5-6,8 ?

[Manamana]

Special only for Explorer II movement on 216570, not available on any Rolex reference, thinner bracelet much nicer on the hand, and lacquered hands, dial that may change in the future for a special look.

[1William]

I prefer the older model because I already own it and think it is great. Why mess around with searching for the new model if you already have what you like.

[wuyeah]

Originally Posted by 1William

I prefer the older model because I already own it and think it is great. Why mess around with searching for the new model if you already have what you like.

No particular reason, just curious forum members’ preference. Often we discuss variations of Subs or Green Subs, EXP1, now we got 3 generations of EXP2, just curious what everyone’s preference are. Yes, I bought mine but maybe some members are on the fence. Hopefully once they are well informed, then can make a judgment what they prefer to own.

[TheVTCGuy]

I know the differences are subtle, but to me they are noticeable and preferable. I would choose the 22.

[rmagoo57]

Here's my vote. It's great to look at and comfortable to wear.

[wuyeah]

Originally Posted by rmagoo57

Here's my vote. It's great to look at and comfortable to wear.

congrats to you!

[DD58]

I have always wanted the polar 216570. I was on a waiting list for 2 years and finally found another ad to pick me up so now being the new model is the 226570 that’s what I will get. But I do prefer the 216570 because of the movement it uses and the way it looks. If I could find new old stock from and ad (not going to happen) I would do that.


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[RobJohnFL]

I had the polar 216570 about a year ago but never really connected with the white dial. At the beginning of this year I purchased the 226570 with the black dial. Proportionally speaking there is a slight improvement imho. It is more balanced now. I also never liked the phantom hands and Matt dial on the 216570.
Movement wise, except for the power reserve, there wasn’t a huge improvement for me to be felt. The 3187 movement was definitely on par with the 3285, in terms of accuracy and reliability.

[norcalctr]

The 226570 with the newer movement and shaven lugs is my pick.

[TheVision]

New polar differences is minimal (to the naked eye).
New black dial differences is more noticeable.

New black dial has jet black dial, AR coating, full length white gold accent hands/accents so it appears more upscale. New lugs also give it better proportion.

So basically, if u want polar, I'd just get the prev gen. If u want the black dial, I'd pick the new gen as the changes are more notiecable.

I'm on the AD waitlist for the new black dial.

[Annan]

I have not seen the 226570 so cannot compare it directly to my 216570 black dial. I was excited to hear about the updated models but was not enthused about the new movement. I've had issues with two DJ41s with 3235 and did not want to risk a 32XX again.

On the positive side, I do like the look of the new hand style on the 226570 black dial and think it makes it slightly easier to read the time. For now, I'm just fine with the phantom hands on my 216570 and am impressed with the phenomenal accuracy/precision of the 3187 movement.

[Malum]

Love the Polar and now with the changes to the black dial it is much nicer looking .

[Napoleon]

Right now I’d go 216570. Parts are available for independent watchmakers to service. Also I like the slightly thinner bracelet.

[Recondope]

I love all versions of the Explorer II and wish my 6.75 inch wrist could handle either of the 42s. I like the 225670s dial, handset and slimmer cases and conversely, I like the 216570s bracelet and perhaps movement as well since I've heard of some issues with the 32x movements. All in all, both are pretty awesome in my book and don't think you can go wrong with either. They're both amazing watches, especially if you have the wrist to handle them.

[TunaTuna]

Really almost no difference, the right call is to buy the one you can get the best deal on

[ChronoHog]

I'd have been very happy with either but was quite pleased with the subtle changes but mainly the wider bracelet.

Here's a photo of the watch from a different angle.

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[ltmgeller]

My vote is for the 22

[butchcoolidge]

They're trading for the same price in the secondary market. So if you're starting fresh, definitely get the 226570. The 72 hour power reserve is awesome.

[Jackie Daytona]

I would go with the 226570.

I had a 216570 black dial and it never sat well with me the gloss paint on the floating hands versus the matte dial. Granted you are speaking specifically of the white dial, I do like that the lugs are tapered a bit more and all the watches I have with a longer power reserve, I do tend to appreciate that they are still running after a couple days.

[Rolex fan 61]

Either are an excellent choice.......

[Cauhauna]

I was on the waitlist for the 21 polar
Ended up getting the call for the 22 polar

Imo - the difference is negligible but I will say the power reserve on the 22 is nutty

[Chadridv]

I honestly didn’t realize there were cosmetic changes. I thought it was just the movement. While it’s really not a big deal the 72 hour power reserve is a nice luxury to have.