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GradyPhilpott · 29 June 2012, 10:01 AM

I was just up at Applebee's and was seated by the manager, who happened to be wearing an Explorer II Polar.

We got to discussing his watch, which he said he bought nine years ago from Ben Bridge.

I asked if I could take a closer look at it.

The watched looked good to me in almost every respect, except that the watch had solid end-links and lug holes and the beat rate was slow, probably 5 beats per second. The crystal was chipped along the edge in one spot and the magnification was a little small.

The watch has never been serviced.

I know that there were transitional models with both solid end-links and I have seen models in the showroom that have a date magnification that is not as big as some other models and I think the Explorer II is one of those. The crystal is probably sapphire, as I've seen these chips before on sapphire crystals, but never on mineral crystals.

That leaves the beat rate as being the most suspicious of the features of this watch.

Can anyone speak to this issue?

GradyPhilpott · 29 June 2012, 01:42 PM

No experts?

Perhaps, if I boil it down to when the 8 beat movements were put into service that would help.

azguy · 30 June 2012, 12:29 AM

Maybe try the tech section

mbuckley · 30 June 2012, 01:32 AM

ceratinly not an expert but read this onlin from a rolex history website

By 1977, Rolex movements were rated at 28,800 beats per hour (BPH) from 19,800 BPH during the 1960s and 18,000 BPH during the late 1950s. Never satisfied, Rolex watchmakers continue to set the bar for both precision and qualitative standards.

GradyPhilpott · 30 June 2012, 01:52 AM

Thank you, Mr. Buckley!

That's a help.

I knew it must have been a long time ago.

I'll go over to the tech section for some clarification.

Thanks to you, as well, John!

mbuckley · 30 June 2012, 02:44 AM

you are welcome my friend
your avatar always brings a smile to my face!

kilyung · 30 June 2012, 06:04 AM

The Explorer II's precursor 1655 was only produced for a few years before transitioning to the 16570 but retaining the same 1575 (19800 bph) movement. It wasn't until around 1985 when sapphire crystal and 3185 (28800 bph) movement were introduced to the model. If the watch is over 25yrs old, then it would have 5.5bps.

It sounds odd that it would be such an older model with sapphire and SEL. More likely it's a fake with an eta 2146/clone with 21600bph.

29 June 2012, 10:01 AM	#1
GradyPhilpott 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Mexico Watch: Seiko #SRK050 Posts: 34,449	Question for the Experts I was just up at Applebee's and was seated by the manager, who happened to be wearing an Explorer II Polar. We got to discussing his watch, which he said he bought nine years ago from Ben Bridge. I asked if I could take a closer look at it. The watched looked good to me in almost every respect, except that the watch had solid end-links and lug holes and the beat rate was slow, probably 5 beats per second. The crystal was chipped along the edge in one spot and the magnification was a little small. The watch has never been serviced. I know that there were transitional models with both solid end-links and I have seen models in the showroom that have a date magnification that is not as big as some other models and I think the Explorer II is one of those. The crystal is probably sapphire, as I've seen these chips before on sapphire crystals, but never on mineral crystals. That leaves the beat rate as being the most suspicious of the features of this watch. Can anyone speak to this issue? __________________ JJ Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner

29 June 2012, 01:42 PM	#2
GradyPhilpott 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Mexico Watch: Seiko #SRK050 Posts: 34,449	No experts? Perhaps, if I boil it down to when the 8 beat movements were put into service that would help. __________________ JJ Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner

30 June 2012, 01:52 AM	#5
GradyPhilpott 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Mexico Watch: Seiko #SRK050 Posts: 34,449	Thank you, Mr. Buckley! That's a help. I knew it must have been a long time ago. I'll go over to the tech section for some clarification. Thanks to you, as well, John! __________________ JJ Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner

30 June 2012, 12:29 AM	#3
azguy Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: ------- Location: ------- Watch: --------- Posts: 12,609	Maybe try the tech section

30 June 2012, 01:32 AM	#4
mbuckley "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Real Name: Michael Location: Norman, Oklahoma Watch: Exp II Posts: 616	ceratinly not an expert but read this onlin from a rolex history website By 1977, Rolex movements were rated at 28,800 beats per hour (BPH) from 19,800 BPH during the 1960s and 18,000 BPH during the late 1950s. Never satisfied, Rolex watchmakers continue to set the bar for both precision and qualitative standards.

30 June 2012, 02:44 AM	#6
mbuckley "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Real Name: Michael Location: Norman, Oklahoma Watch: Exp II Posts: 616	you are welcome my friend your avatar always brings a smile to my face!

30 June 2012, 06:04 AM	#7
kilyung 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cave Watch: Sundial Posts: 33,940	The Explorer II's precursor 1655 was only produced for a few years before transitioning to the 16570 but retaining the same 1575 (19800 bph) movement. It wasn't until around 1985 when sapphire crystal and 3185 (28800 bph) movement were introduced to the model. If the watch is over 25yrs old, then it would have 5.5bps. It sounds odd that it would be such an older model with sapphire and SEL. More likely it's a fake with an eta 2146/clone with 21600bph.

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