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Old 19 August 2024, 08:12 PM   #1
gregvisser
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NOS (and new to me) 16570

I was lucky enough to snag this new old stock Rolex Explorer II 16570 with black dial and tritium hands from 1997 just last week. I couldn’t believe my luck. Everything was like the day it was sold from the AD except the the hands which had faded to a very nice even light beige. No peeling or marks on the dial at all.

I had it pressure tested and the seals are great. On top of that it keeps excellent time gaining around 3 secs a day on average on my wrist.

Haven’t had a five digit for a long time and forgot how easy to wear they are compared to the modern references. Light, thin, case has a shape rather than the square chunky block of steel, better proportions.

I’m struggling to put this down…
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Old 19 August 2024, 08:49 PM   #2
aba123
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Congrats! Beautiful cream colour on the hands and markers.
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Old 19 August 2024, 09:08 PM   #3
HERITAGE82
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Nothing like vintage mintiness. Awesome.
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Old 19 August 2024, 09:21 PM   #4
1William
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Congratulations.
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Old 20 August 2024, 12:32 AM   #5
rmagoo57
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Congrats!! Can't beat a 5-digit in original condition! I snagged a stickered polar dial earlier this year - well worth the premium.
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Old 20 August 2024, 12:37 AM   #6
pk552502
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what a great reference.
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Old 20 August 2024, 01:21 AM   #7
0nly5iv3Digits
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Yes!! Long live the 5 digit era!
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Old 20 August 2024, 01:36 AM   #8
dhknola
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Awesome watch, I have been sniffing one of these but can't find one locally.
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Old 20 August 2024, 06:08 AM   #9
gregvisser
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Thanks for the kind words all! So stoked with this piece.
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Old 20 August 2024, 06:16 AM   #10
swish77
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Nice! Congrats! Very underrated reference.

How'd you get an NOS Rolex that's 27 years old? Did it still have stickers? Probably just on the case back, because I don't think they even came with full stickers back then.
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Old 20 August 2024, 11:51 AM   #11
gregvisser
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swish77 View Post
Nice! Congrats! Very underrated reference.

How'd you get an NOS Rolex that's 27 years old? Did it still have stickers? Probably just on the case back, because I don't think they even came with full stickers back then.
Good question. It comes with a story….

The watch was bought in Palma in 1997 by Larry Ellison as a gift for his crew on maxi yacht Sayonara. The watch is engraved Sayonara and the papers named team Sayonara. I would assume everyone on the crew got one. Funny that they didn’t get Yachtmasters 😂

One of the guys was from New Zealand and he put it in his drawer on returning and never touched it since.
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Old 20 August 2024, 12:59 PM   #12
996marty
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gregvisser View Post
Good question. It comes with a story….

The watch was bought in Palma in 1997 by Larry Ellison as a gift for his crew on maxi yacht Sayonara. The watch is engraved Sayonara and the papers named team Sayonara. I would assume everyone on the crew got one. Funny that they didn’t get Yachtmasters 😂

One of the guys was from New Zealand and he put it in his drawer on returning and never touched it since.
Interesting history and great find. As others have mentioned you can’t beat the 5 digits
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Old 20 August 2024, 03:15 PM   #13
Eldad
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gregvisser View Post
Good question. It comes with a story….

The watch was bought in Palma in 1997 by Larry Ellison as a gift for his crew on maxi yacht Sayonara. The watch is engraved Sayonara and the papers named team Sayonara. I would assume everyone on the crew got one. Funny that they didn’t get Yachtmasters

One of the guys was from New Zealand and he put it in his drawer on returning and never touched it since.

I just love those stories.


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