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ebis · 2 February 2023, 08:06 PM

In 2021, I RSC'd my 20 something year old 16570. They did a great job. I contemplated switching to polar, but decided not to and kept the original lume-less dial and hands. I had some regret as having lume is half the fun, but the old 16570 never got too much wrist time anyways.

After adding a 116500 to my collection late last year, I was really impressed with the pop of the white dial and the ceramic bezel. This only made me further regret not going polar.

I was a man on a mission. I went to my AD to swap the dial to polar and ordered a new and overpriced bezel off C24. I then sent the bezel off to a local watch shop that specializes in customization to be DLC'd and painted.

At the time, my expectations were a bit torn. The Explorer II has a bezel with clean radial brushing where the Daytona had a nice glossy ceramic finish. In my head, I really wanted a ceramic bezel on the Explorer II. I was a bit uncertain what to expect from the DLC only to be pleasantly surprised. The radial brushing is still clearly visible keeping that Explorer II's rugged character with the black accents on the polar kit.

thesharkfactor · 2 February 2023, 08:10 PM

I was expecting to look at this from behind the sofa, but hey - I like that, well done! I think you are onto something there!

I was going to say do the PCL too but it's a tool for a spelunker so that would be unnescessary.

Nice work! I think that may catch on. I saw it here first.

DLRIDES · 2 February 2023, 09:50 PM

I think it looks great !

PLUS, you kept the original parts, so the integrity of originality is not destroyed.

Jimmybob · 2 February 2023, 10:07 PM

That looks great, how have you still got the old bits? I thought Rolex just sends the watch back and keeps everything else.

1William · 2 February 2023, 10:14 PM

Very nice.

Daveh777 · 2 February 2023, 10:17 PM

Fantastic! What you envisioned has turned out so well! Kudos to you!

Mo_Mo_86 · 2 February 2023, 10:19 PM

Looks awesome. I want!

ebis · 2 February 2023, 10:37 PM

Thanks all for the kind words!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmybob

That looks great, how have you still got the old bits? I thought Rolex just sends the watch back and keeps everything else.

I don't have the exact breakdown, but RSC will let you keep original parts at about 50% of that part's cost.

For example, if I elect to replace the bezel during service and it cost $300, I would pay $300 for the replacement bezel and about $150 to keep my original bezel.

tifosi · 2 February 2023, 11:17 PM

I actually don't hate this. The bezel looks great with the radial brushing still apparent.

You made two of the same watch, now, though! haha

AF_Rob · 2 February 2023, 11:27 PM

That's pretty damn cool, OP!

slide13 · 2 February 2023, 11:30 PM

Yeah, I was expecting the whole watch and to be horrified….this looks great though, very nice!

Car32 · 2 February 2023, 11:32 PM

Very cool but not a fan, think it would look great on a black dial 16570 though.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

rushca01 · 3 February 2023, 12:01 AM

wow! That looks great, I really enjoy this. Thanks for sharing.

DLRIDES · 3 February 2023, 12:33 AM

This would be a great mod for a 216570 polar ! A simple bezel change, and one would have a different watch for a small expenditure with the option for original.

Newt · 3 February 2023, 12:43 AM

Yeah I gotta say I LIKE that. Not sure I have the guts to do it though. :)

~Ocho1~ · 3 February 2023, 12:47 AM

I normally don't like modifications to my watches, but I have to admit that looks pretty cool.

Nicely done

dafuture · 3 February 2023, 01:05 AM

This is super cool. When I read DLC, I definitely got a bit nervous, but you nailed it. Plus you can always swap back to the normal bezel if you feel like it.

Jealous of your Daytona though!

WBaileyii · 3 February 2023, 01:07 AM

Looks great!

jay_kay · 3 February 2023, 01:12 AM

Looks great, I have a spare new bezel for my 16570 Polar. Very tempted.

Slaybo · 3 February 2023, 02:07 AM

Looks great. First mod I've ever seen on a Rolex that I actually liked. They did a really good job with the bezel.

sub2011 · 3 February 2023, 02:41 AM

If you like it...Lost all of its class imho.
Looks like a cheap Seiko now.

dukie748 · 3 February 2023, 02:44 AM

Looks superb, almost factory - I'd buy it.

tekops · 3 February 2023, 03:08 AM

great post!

cdmorenot · 3 February 2023, 03:13 AM

Looks great! I love that you were able to pull off something unique and fun.

Wear it in good health!

rmagoo57 · 3 February 2023, 03:15 AM

Interesting. How does it look with the black dial??

shredace · 3 February 2023, 03:16 AM

I really like that Explorer 2 / Daytona / GMT / Panda / Polar! Whatever!!!

TimeLord2 · 3 February 2023, 03:25 AM

That does look cool and somewhat factory! Would be even cooler if you could add luminescent material to the numbers on the bezel given they are now white. Well played.

sinkholeninja · 3 February 2023, 04:07 AM

Very cool look

gnardex · 3 February 2023, 04:09 AM

WOW!
this new polar looks great indeed
At Rolex they should look at TRF and take inspiration

it's really cool
well done and congrats!!

GrantD · 3 February 2023, 04:10 AM

Like it a lot.

2 February 2023, 08:06 PM	#1
ebis "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Japan Posts: 95	16570 Explorer II - A touch of DLC for a modern look In 2021, I RSC'd my 20 something year old 16570. They did a great job. I contemplated switching to polar, but decided not to and kept the original lume-less dial and hands. I had some regret as having lume is half the fun, but the old 16570 never got too much wrist time anyways. After adding a 116500 to my collection late last year, I was really impressed with the pop of the white dial and the ceramic bezel. This only made me further regret not going polar. I was a man on a mission. I went to my AD to swap the dial to polar and ordered a new and overpriced bezel off C24. I then sent the bezel off to a local watch shop that specializes in customization to be DLC'd and painted. At the time, my expectations were a bit torn. The Explorer II has a bezel with clean radial brushing where the Daytona had a nice glossy ceramic finish. In my head, I really wanted a ceramic bezel on the Explorer II. I was a bit uncertain what to expect from the DLC only to be pleasantly surprised. The radial brushing is still clearly visible keeping that Explorer II's rugged character with the black accents on the polar kit.

2 February 2023, 09:50 PM	#3
DLRIDES 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Real Name: Don Location: NC/WY Watch: Me Posts: 4,662	I think it looks great ! PLUS, you kept the original parts, so the integrity of originality is not destroyed. __________________ *Purchasing your first non HOA home on a 3 acre lot DOES NOT equate to owning a “farm”.*

2 February 2023, 11:17 PM	#9
tifosi "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Russ Location: Southern NJ Posts: 5,760	I actually don't hate this. The bezel looks great with the radial brushing still apparent. You made two of the same watch, now, though! haha __________________ Russ

3 February 2023, 12:33 AM	#14
DLRIDES 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Real Name: Don Location: NC/WY Watch: Me Posts: 4,662	This would be a great mod for a 216570 polar ! A simple bezel change, and one would have a different watch for a small expenditure with the option for original. __________________ *Purchasing your first non HOA home on a 3 acre lot DOES NOT equate to owning a “farm”.*

3 February 2023, 01:05 AM	#17
dafuture "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: NYC Posts: 1,944	This is super cool. When I read DLC, I definitely got a bit nervous, but you nailed it. Plus you can always swap back to the normal bezel if you feel like it. Jealous of your Daytona though! __________________ Current Rolex Submariner 126610LN \|\| Cartier Tank Americaine

2 February 2023, 08:10 PM	#2
thesharkfactor "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Scotland Watch: GMT Posts: 3,635	I was expecting to look at this from behind the sofa, but hey - I like that, well done! I think you are onto something there! I was going to say do the PCL too but it's a tool for a spelunker so that would be unnescessary. Nice work! I think that may catch on. I saw it here first.

2 February 2023, 10:07 PM	#4
Jimmybob "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Uk Posts: 29	That looks great, how have you still got the old bits? I thought Rolex just sends the watch back and keeps everything else.

2 February 2023, 10:14 PM	#5
1William 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: North Carolina Watch: Rolex/Others Posts: 47,472	Very nice.

2 February 2023, 10:17 PM	#6
Daveh777 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Australia Posts: 220	Fantastic! What you envisioned has turned out so well! Kudos to you!

2 February 2023, 10:19 PM	#7
Mo_Mo_86 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Wales Posts: 138	Looks awesome. I want!

2 February 2023, 11:27 PM	#10
AF_Rob "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2012 Real Name: Rob Location: Virginia Watch: Sub/Polar/OP/BB Posts: 4,659	That's pretty damn cool, OP!

2 February 2023, 11:30 PM	#11
slide13 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Here Posts: 999	Yeah, I was expecting the whole watch and to be horrified….this looks great though, very nice!

2 February 2023, 11:32 PM	#12
Car32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: USA Posts: 396	Very cool but not a fan, think it would look great on a black dial 16570 though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

3 February 2023, 12:01 AM	#13
rushca01 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Indiana Watch: GMT BLRO Posts: 1,750	wow! That looks great, I really enjoy this. Thanks for sharing.

3 February 2023, 12:43 AM	#15
Newt "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Bumpkin, USA Watch: 1971 GMT Pepsi Posts: 172	Yeah I gotta say I LIKE that. Not sure I have the guts to do it though. :)

3 February 2023, 12:47 AM	#16
~Ocho1~ "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Central Florida Posts: 342	I normally don't like modifications to my watches, but I have to admit that looks pretty cool. Nicely done

3 February 2023, 01:07 AM	#18
WBaileyii "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Real Name: Will Location: PacNW, USA Watch: 16610/126610LV Posts: 360	Looks great!

3 February 2023, 01:12 AM	#19
jay_kay "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Barrowford Watch: Tudor Black Bay 54 Posts: 1,699	Looks great, I have a spare new bezel for my 16570 Polar. Very tempted. __________________ Rolex Explorer 214270, Omega Speedmaster '1957 Relaunch' 3594.50.00, Panerai Luminor 1950 PAM00127-E, Panerai Radiomir 1936 PAM00249-I, Panerai Mare Nostrum PAM00716-T, Panerai PAM00785-Q Set, Panerai Luminor Black Seal PAM00594-Q, Panerai Luminor Daylight PAM00604-Q, Tudor Black Bay 54 79000N, Heuer Carrera Re-Edition CS3113, Hamilton Military W10 & TAG Heuer F1

3 February 2023, 02:07 AM	#20
Slaybo "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Maryland Posts: 30	Looks great. First mod I've ever seen on a Rolex that I actually liked. They did a really good job with the bezel.

3 February 2023, 02:41 AM	#21
sub2011 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Earth Posts: 159	If you like it...Lost all of its class imho. Looks like a cheap Seiko now.

3 February 2023, 02:44 AM	#22
dukie748 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Here + There Posts: 750	Looks superb, almost factory - I'd buy it.

3 February 2023, 03:08 AM	#23
tekops "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Miami\Boston Posts: 115	great post!

3 February 2023, 03:13 AM	#24
cdmorenot 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Real Name: Carlos. Location: NNJ - MDE Watch: = Want them all. Posts: 3,678	Looks great! I love that you were able to pull off something unique and fun. Wear it in good health! __________________ \| Breguet \| Cartier \| Casio \| Hublot \| Omega \| Oris \| Rolex \| Seiko \|

3 February 2023, 03:15 AM	#25
rmagoo57 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Real Name: Ron Location: Detroitish Watch: GMT II/Sub/Exp II Posts: 2,527	Interesting. How does it look with the black dial??

3 February 2023, 03:16 AM	#26
shredace "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Real Name: Mark Location: Florida Posts: 242	I really like that Explorer 2 / Daytona / GMT / Panda / Polar! Whatever!!! __________________ Rolex DateJust 41 126333 \| Explorer II 216570 \| Submariner 114060 \| Submariner 116613LB Omega Seamaster Pro 2264.50 \| Seamaster Pro 300M 210.30.42.20.03.003 Panerai Radiomir PAM574

3 February 2023, 03:25 AM	#27
TimeLord2 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Valencia, CA Watch: GMT Master 1675/3 Posts: 2,186	That does look cool and somewhat factory! Would be even cooler if you could add luminescent material to the numbers on the bezel given they are now white. Well played.

3 February 2023, 04:07 AM	#28
sinkholeninja "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Real Name: Zeus Location: London Watch: Ocean 2000 Posts: 1,032	Very cool look __________________ Lange (ref. Saxonia Thin RG); Vacheron C. (ref. 3110v); Ressence (ref. Type 8); Rolex Explorer (ref. 124270); Rolex Sub (ref. 126610LV); Porsche Design IWC (ref. Ocean 2000); Seiko (ref. SLA039)

3 February 2023, 04:09 AM	#29
gnardex "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: ITALY Watch: 16610LN - 126600 Posts: 335	WOW! this new polar looks great indeed At Rolex they should look at TRF and take inspiration it's really cool well done and congrats!!

3 February 2023, 04:10 AM	#30
GrantD "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: England Posts: 415	Like it a lot.

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