Explorer II - Black or Polar?

[travisb]

Had that dilema for years in the past and have owned both. Polar is the one.

[madsitalia]

Originally Posted by londondude

I personally prefer the black, closer to the original Explorer II. I find the black dial looks more proportioned to the watch as it looks smaller.

That’s exactly why I prefer the polar. The white dial pops out.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by londondude

I personally prefer the black, closer to the original Explorer II. I find the black dial looks more proportioned to the watch as it looks smaller.

Agree, now a Polar 40mm that could be out next month would be nice.

[londondude]

Originally Posted by madsitalia

That’s exactly why I prefer the polar. The white dial pops out.

Oh yeah, the white dial pops a lot more. Both are great watches and they look dramatically different.

[madsitalia]

Originally Posted by londondude

Oh yeah, the white dial pops a lot more. Both are great watches and they look dramatically different.

Yes they seem like two very different watches.

[madsitalia]

Originally Posted by AK797

Agree, now a Polar 40mm that could be out next month would be nice.

I think many hopes for this Personally I love the 42mm.

[londondude]

Originally Posted by AK797

Agree, now a Polar 40mm that could be out next month would be nice.

Yes, that would be very nice!

[Tylerlsu2008]

Originally Posted by madsitalia

I think many hopes for this Personally I love the 42mm.

I’m not a big wrist guy, but I’d have no desire to swap my 42 for a 40 either. Just feels like the DNA of the watch works for the bigger size IMO.

[wuyeah]

The modern ExpII, Polar. The best ExpII black dial is the one and only 1655. It is above all ExpII till today.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

The white is just special. I don't agree that it is a "hype" watch whatsoever. For the vast majority of it's life, the 16570 was the dog of the Rolex sports range.

Having owned a variant of nearly every Rolex model, the 16570 Polar stands out as being a favourite. It is unlike any other, in a world where black dials and polished white gold hands and indices dominate the sports range.

Funny enough, when I began collecting, the 16570 was not at all on my radar. But having seen one in the flesh and on wrist changed my perspective immediately. A fantastic piece. If you want a white dial sports piece, the only other model with such a configuration are the daytonas - to this day that is the case. This is (to me) the unique position of the EXP II polar in the sports range.

I'm adamant that you need to have owned one to appreciate it for what it is.

[madsitalia]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

The white is just special. I don't agree that it is a "hype" watch whatsoever. For the vast majority of it's life, the 16570 was the dog of the Rolex sports range.

Having owned a variant of nearly every Rolex model, the 16570 Polar stands out as being a favourite. It is unlike any other, in a world where black dials and polished white gold hands and indices dominate the sports range.

Funny enough, when I began collecting, the 16570 was not at all on my radar. But having seen one in the flesh and on wrist changed my perspective immediately. A fantastic piece. If you want a white dial sports piece, you only find them on Daytona's - to this day that is the case. This is (to me) the unique position of the EXP II polar.

My favorite is the 226570 polar and the old 1655 Freccione. The Freccione made me look at the explorer II.

[agriculture&watches]

White dial is the way to go. In my opinion Explorer II is made to look the best with white dial and Explorer I is made to look the best with black dial.

[wilsonpepper]

I got my polar just after COVID and loved it, but it didn't fit my wrist. I ended up gifting it to my friend. Fit perfectly on his wrist.

Love the watch, just didn't fit me comfortably.

[Tqmb79]

Polar. Not sure we needed a poll. Polar is the more popular and that’s a known fact. Both great watches.

[NiJaRo1225]

Black dial for me - I prefer the contrast against the case/bracelet, and how the orange hand in turn pops against the black dial.


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[Watchdog]

These two are the most underrated Rolex watches, and the ones--I think--that are the hardest model colors to choose between. I go back and forth. But I have reached a conclusion. I prefer . . .

Black in the smaller Explorer II
White in the larger version

[shalako]

I owned both the White and Black 226570 but ended up selling the Black and keeping the Polar - but it was a tough choice as the Black in the latest variant really pops and is a much nicer watch than people give it credit for.
The Explorer 2 is not a ‘hyped’ watch and appeals to the more genuine watch collectors as the new breed of ‘Rolex investors’ won’t go near it as there is no profit or bragging rights to be had which makes the Explorer 2 an even better choice IMHO.

[egamos]

Go Polar you'd love it.

[B2 Stealth]

Polar is a special watch--unique. How many black dial watches do you own? The Polar will be the only white dial watch I will ever purchase.

[madsitalia]

Originally Posted by B2 Stealth

Polar is a special watch--unique. How many black dial watches do you own? The Polar will be the only white dial watch I will ever purchase.

Well I do have my eyes one the white dial Panerai Submersible with green rubberstrap

[jacowestt]

White for me.

[Flipmarine2k]

40mm polar; 42mm black

[TimeRookie]

When I spoke to the AD, I said I would take either dial colour but I kind of wanted a polar as the rest of my watches have dark dials. When the watch came in, it was a polar and I’m very pleased with it. I still would have gladly taken the black dial as I think it looks great.
I have the polar and I’m not going to trade it so I guess white is my real choice. I’ve hardly had this watch off my wrist since I got it.

[Sgb020]

Easy polar all day long. Picked mine up two weeks ago.


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[madsitalia]

Originally Posted by TimeRookie

When I spoke to the AD, I said I would take either dial colour but I kind of wanted a polar as the rest of my watches have dark dials. When the watch came in, it was a polar and I’m very pleased with it. I still would have gladly taken the black dial as I think it looks great.
I have the polar and I’m not going to trade it so I guess white is my real choice. I’ve hardly had this watch off my wrist since I got it.

I got my polar in september and as you it has been on my wrist almost every day. Not much rotation

[madsitalia]

Originally Posted by Sgb020

Easy polar all day long. Picked mine up two weeks ago.


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Awesome. Congrats

[Gazoak]

I love the floating hands!

Originally Posted by BogdanS

Got both and prefer the black by far. The white lacks contrast against the steel case.


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[tlbarrs]

I went for the Black and have been very pleased with it over the last 6 years I find the white looks better in photos and the black pops more in person


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[londondude]

Originally Posted by tlbarrs

I went for the Black and have been very pleased with it over the last 6 years I find the white looks better in photos and the black pops more in person


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I agree, the black is a stunner on the wrist!

[Deacon]

Polar for sure


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