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Old 21 January 2008, 04:00 AM   #1
Tools
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The Rolex Explorer II

Explorer II Reference Numbers: 1655, 16550, 16570, 216570

Date of production: 1971 until present.

Movement: 1575, 3085, 3185/3186 - 216570, 3187

Case Size: 40mm - 216570, 42mm

Weight: 126 grams

Power Reserve: ~48 hrs

Photographs:


White Explorer II--D series


White Dial - P serial
CurvedHandOmni.jpg

Last of the 16570's, G serial.
EXII6.jpg

reference 1655, 5 mil. 1575 movement, luminous dot on seconds hand.
(Photo curtesy of Mike)


216570 (Rolex Press Kit photo)
EXPLORER_II_03.jpg
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Last edited by Tools; 30 November 2017 at 06:09 AM.. Reason: Contributors Larry, Mike, Mark
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Old 28 August 2009, 12:53 AM   #2
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I'd love me one of those Steve McQueen Explorer IIs.
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Old 26 September 2016, 07:05 PM   #3
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I'd love me one of those Steve McQueen Explorer IIs.
The best one.
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Old 15 September 2009, 04:41 AM   #4
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16570
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Old 11 September 2010, 04:36 AM   #5
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1971 or 1972

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16570
According to the the official rolex web site (http://www.rolex.com/en) is mention that the E2 was launched in 1971.

So now I'm a little confused: 1971 or 1972?
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Old 22 September 2009, 07:16 AM   #6
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I am hoping to get a 16550: and this thread is super helpful! Thanks all!
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Old 28 February 2010, 01:40 PM   #7
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Had one but sold it.
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Old 28 February 2010, 02:59 PM   #8
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Great photos and info.
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Old 14 March 2010, 06:55 AM   #9
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I know the current 16570 is waterproof to 100m, but does anyone know if the Explorer II has had different waterproof certifications throughout its run?

nad
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Old 14 March 2010, 08:17 AM   #10
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I know the current 16570 is waterproof to 100m, but does anyone know if the Explorer II has had different waterproof certifications throughout its run?

nad
The Explorer II has always had a 100meter waterproof Oyster case.
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Old 14 March 2010, 09:29 AM   #11
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The Explorer II has always had a 100meter waterproof Oyster case.
Thanks for the info!
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Old 9 September 2010, 01:36 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by not_a_doctor View Post
I know the current 16570 is waterproof to 100m, but does anyone know if the Explorer II has had different waterproof certifications throughout its run?

nad
It seems that Rolex left this empty!
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Old 14 March 2010, 10:02 AM   #13
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Larry, the Explorer II is a true classic Rolex ......... personally I prefer the white dial.
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Old 14 March 2010, 02:41 PM   #14
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The Explorer II...........the stealth Rolex!
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Old 24 March 2010, 12:15 AM   #15
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Orange Hand

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Originally Posted by Dr. Robert View Post
The Explorer II...........the stealth Rolex!
Dr. Robert, is that orange hand 5 million series? The font on bezel looks thinner than the older version. Correct me if I am wrong.

ron
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Old 3 September 2016, 05:41 AM   #16
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The Explorer II...........the stealth Rolex!
What a watch. Fantastic.
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Old 13 June 2023, 09:22 PM   #17
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The Explorer II...........the stealth Rolex!
Just purchased at 16570 myself and cannot agree more.

Definitely flies under the radar.

A fantastic watch.
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Old 7 June 2013, 12:15 PM   #18
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Yeah. White Dial 42mm...It Glows Blue...Awesome.
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Old 14 March 2010, 05:08 PM   #19
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Thanks Tools for this excellent review, the white dial explorer is really something!
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Old 14 March 2010, 07:12 PM   #20
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I hv 10 Rolex sport, you named it, but just bought Ex II Black yesterday, I feel EX II is the most comfortabe watch to wear and the beauty will gradually shine up to be one of the most beautiful Rolex sport watch, once you look at its dial for 1 minute, this is great watch which I think will be the colletable item in near future. I love ex II.
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Old 14 March 2010, 11:15 PM   #21
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just got the white dial explorer II and loving it. It's my new to me work watch. Amazing fit and finish
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Old 14 March 2010, 11:19 PM   #22
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Everyday I love my polar more and more...
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Old 24 March 2010, 01:13 AM   #23
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Great thread here! I started a recent one for pics and information here if anyone wants to see some good shots...

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.ph...47#post1737747
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Old 24 March 2010, 09:42 PM   #24
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thanks for the nice pictures and reference material!

question: i notice some people refer to the dial being white, and some people say polar....is there a preferred term? a correct term?

TIA....
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Old 24 March 2010, 09:54 PM   #25
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Polar white is the colour of the dial. Some say white and some say polar, its all the same, unless it is cream
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Old 25 March 2010, 11:33 PM   #26
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Link to another forum thread with an informative overview of the Explorers: http://www.rolexforums.com/showpost....3&postcount=71
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Old 21 October 2021, 08:34 AM   #27
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Thanks for clarifying.
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Old 2 November 2021, 05:30 PM   #28
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My newly acquired 1999 16570 Black Dial Explorer 2. I cannot wait to put this on the wrist and I am already looking at trying to add a Polar 16570 as well.

I just love the Classic look of the 16570 over the 216570.
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Old 2 November 2021, 06:42 PM   #29
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My newly acquired 1999 16570 Black Dial Explorer 2. I cannot wait to put this on the wrist and I am already looking at trying to add a Polar 16570 as well.

I just love the Classic look of the 16570 over the 216570.

Nice. I've got its brother. A serial 1999 Polar.



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Old 27 March 2010, 02:58 AM   #30
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You got a great Rolex. The Rolex Expl. 2...............the stealth Rolex! You can swim w/ it....I don't wear watches in bath, shower, hot tub, steam room or sauna......but swimming...fresh or salt water no problems....I have 2 1655 Expl. 2's, both purchased new and they're bulletproof!
Had them renovated in 2005....
1973 Expl. 2 # 1655

1974 Expl. 2 #1655
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