My First Rolex: Explorer II Polar 16570....Plus a few Questions!

[logantrky]

Two days ago I purchased a pre-owned Rolex Explorer II with polar dial (16570) from a very reputable pre-owned seller. This happens to be my first Rolex and I'm still in disbelief that it is on my wrist!

I have lusted after a Rollie for years and it has finally become a reality!



It is a "T" serial number (1995?) and I believe it has a Tritium dial (I believe) with the Swiss-T<25 inscription.



Now on to a couple questions...

1. It seems to run flawlessly and hasn't lost or gained a second in the past two days. I do not have record of the service history, however. I have read on the forums that a routine service should be performed every 5 years. Should I send it away soon to Rolex for a service or wait until I notice a change in the way the watch performs?

2. It may be difficult to tell from the photo, but the hour markers have a very nice patina. The dealer offered to swap the dial for a new one since the lume has stopped working. I WOULD like to get the lume back, but I'm not sure that it would be a wise move considering I may lose the original dial. Thoughts?

Thanks for your input! :)

[tkerrmd]

Congrats on the new watch
If running well doesn't need serviced usually 7-10 years will do it

Most like the patina and would never change the dial. It's a personal decision, personally I like lume

Welcome

[MortgageGuy]

Agree with Tom on all. For me I would leave as is and love the natural aging and patina. Your call. Congrats and welcome.

[Old Expat Beast]

Nice looking Explorer. Only change the dial if you can keep the old one, in case you want to sell it later. You'll also need to change the hands if the dealer can also do that, or the new dial will be useless. Keep the old ones too, of course.

[AF_Rob]

Welcome! You may want to research reputable watchmakers in your area that have the inside track on parts. If you have it serviced by Rolex, they won't let you keep the replaced parts. If it's running fine, you have plenty of time to look.

[Hairdude1]

Awesome watch and patina

[hdrazor251]

I second Tom and Adam.

1. Have it serviced in about 7 years or if you see a change in accuracy. Whichever comes first.

2. I wouldn't touch the dial but if you do, keep the old one.

Congrats and mine says hi.

[sea-dweller]

Congrats!

[Choo Yao Chuen]

Keep it, until the next service at least......

[HACKNSACK44]

Congrats!!

[adawil2002]

I bought my Exp II new in '86, had it serviced once in 1998. Got is back and it ran too fast, sent it back it would randomly stop, sent it back again, now keeps perfect time, wear it almost daily and did up until November/December of 2014, when I bought a 1987 TT blue Thunderbird and a 2014 blue Milgauss.

I will not send the Exp II to Rolex I do not want to lose the originality of the hands and cream face, there is a local watchmaker I'd take it to if it gets serviced. It's been bullet proof for close to 30 years.

So enjoy your new to you Explorer II and don't sweat it.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by adawil2002

I bought my Exp II new in '86, had it serviced once in 1998. Got is back and it ran too fast, sent it back it would randomly stop, sent it back again, now keeps perfect time, wear it almost daily and did up until November/December of 2014, when I bought a 1987 TT blue Thunderbird and a 2014 blue Milgauss.

I will not send the Exp II to Rolex I do not want to lose the originality of the hands and cream face, there is a local watchmaker I'd take it to if it gets serviced. It's been bullet proof for close to 30 years.

So enjoy your new to you Explorer II and don't sweat it.

Love the dial

[Urosfan]

Congrats welcome

[Scholar]

I'm of two minds on this.

The dial is stunning, without a doubt, and yet another reminder of how much better the previous Explorer II design is! But if you plan on actually using it for field watch purposes, it might be a good idea to switch out the dial for one with working lume markers (while keeping the original, of course).

[Psmith]

Welcome and congrats

[elkaholic]

Agreed on the above svc points made.

Personally I would change out the dial and hands for the newer version with luminova, and keep the old ones.

That's a great looking timepiece!

[toneafficianado]

Love the Polar! Congrats

[Spoonage]

Nice pick up. I would keep it as original as possible as most here would probably agree.

[mike]

Welome.

I think it's a stunning example. If it's running as you say I'd be hard pressed to do anything at this point. Might give it a full wind and check the power reserve. Look for 42+ hours or so.

A pressure check might be in order if you think exposure to water is possible (good to do anyway because of humidity).

I'd leave the dial alone. It looks fantastic. Replacing the dial with a new luminova replacement might give you a bit lume, but Rolex lume is not it's strong suit. The possible hit to valuation wouldn't be worth it to me.

[logantrky]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. It is much appreciated!

I will call my dealer to see if his offer includes allowing me keep the old dial. I would like to get a pressure check on it as well because I will probably want to wear it around the pool once summer time rolls around.

I'm so pumped about this watch! Thanks again, everyone.

[logantrky]

Sorry for the double post. I contacted my Dealer today and he said that he would be re-luming the current dial instead of replacing it.

I've decided to just keep the dial original and not worry about the lume. I'm going to get it pressure checked tomorrow just to make sure the seals are in good condition...

[mike]

Originally Posted by logantrky

Sorry for the double post. I contacted my Dealer today and he said that he would be re-luming the current dial instead of replacing it.

I've decided to just keep the dial original and not worry about the lume. I'm going to get it pressure checked tomorrow just to make sure the seals are in good condition...

Sound decision. Reluming is generally the worst of all worlds for the collector. Keep as is and enjoy a fantastic reference.

[hdrazor251]

Originally Posted by mike

Sound decision. Reluming is generally the worst of all worlds for the collector. Keep as is and enjoy a fantastic reference.

x2. Do NOT relume!

[mps354]

Great reference!

[GTC]

Originally Posted by hdrazor251

x2. Do NOT relume!

x3 - Do NOT relume.

[wdin]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Nice looking Explorer. Only change the dial if you can keep the old one, in case you want to sell it later. You'll also need to change the hands if the dealer can also do that, or the new dial will be useless. Keep the old ones too, of course.

whatever Adam said.

congrats on the stunning watch and welcome to trf!

[logantrky]

I got my watch pressure checked today and everything looks good.

So excited!

[Horology.life]

congrats, great piece

[fishingbear]

Congratulations and great advice from Tom and Adam as usual.

[T01]

Congrats!