For Your Expert Analysis: 16570 Polar

[geedawg]

I had my first experience of TRF being super helpful when you all pointed out that my bezel insert was aftermarket on a 16710 Pepsi I had just purchased. Hoping to get your knowledgeable opinions on this piece as well. It’s a 16570 F Serial Polar. Looks to have had been “lightly” polished in the past. The serial on the case matches the papers. Any opinions on the polish job, the overall condition of the watch, or anything blatantly wrong that this new guy is not aware of?

Thanks again TRF!!










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[Walster]

I’m not an expert but great looking watch!

[underpar]

How many 5 digit pieces did you buy? Lol

It's hard to tell in some pics but the chamfers appear to be gone so I'd say "light polish" is probably not accurate.

[Giovannibravo]

I think the polish job looks good.

[bri]

The edges of the case and bracelet look way too rounded. Probably the smooth areas were polished aggressively. The brushed parts look ok. End link fit is good. I'm suspicious of the crystal it looks a hair too tall.

[geedawg]

Originally Posted by underpar

How many 5 digit pieces did you buy? Lol

It's hard to tell in some pics but the chamfers appear to be gone so I'd say "light polish" is probably not accurate.

Haha, this one was a bit ago. 5 digits are tops in my book. Don’t like the current maxi dial/cases for the most part. Am considering the current Z-Blue Milgauss though…

The chamfers are there on this Polar but they’re pretty minimal. But in my understanding the no holes cases had minimal beveling anyway, especially on these Explorer models. Please correct me if I’m wrong!!


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[geedawg]

Originally Posted by bri

The edges of the case and bracelet look way too rounded. Probably the smooth areas were polished aggressively. The brushed parts look ok. End link fit is good. I'm suspicious of the crystal it looks a hair too tall.

Not sure why the photos make the lugs look so rounded on the corners. IRL they’re pretty darn sharp.


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[Geckobros]

It looks fine to my eyes. The dial appears original.. note the odd spacing leaving the gap, which is typical of the F series. Canary in the cage, the Rolex logo on the clasp is still pronounced. Crown guards still have meat to them. If you say it feels sharp and not rounded... well, good again. Bezel appears to have correct finish.

[Chewbacca]

It’s good.

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by Geckobros

It looks fine to my eyes. The dial appears original.. note the odd spacing leaving the gap, which is typical of the F series. Canary in the cage, the Rolex logo on the clasp is still pronounced. Crown guards still have meat to them. If you say it feels sharp and not rounded... well, good again. Bezel appears to have correct finish.

Nice, i just picked up an S serial Polar. It had a regular submariner bracelet, so I just picked the solid end link bracelet that your watch has. The lighter clasp is a nice feature, and the watch is an overall winner.

[underpar]

Originally Posted by geedawg

Haha, this one was a bit ago. 5 digits are tops in my book. Don’t like the current maxi dial/cases for the most part. Am considering the current Z-Blue Milgauss though…

The chamfers are there on this Polar but they’re pretty minimal. But in my understanding the no holes cases had minimal beveling anyway, especially on these Explorer models. Please correct me if I’m wrong!!


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Actually the no holes cases generally had more pronounced chamfers.

As another post mentioned, the crystal is suspect. Could be aftermarket but hard to tell in those pics. An F serial could have a LEC and if it is a serviced crystal it definitely would have the LEC.

[geedawg]

Originally Posted by underpar

Actually the no holes cases generally had more pronounced chamfers.

As another post mentioned, the crystal is suspect. Could be aftermarket but hard to tell in those pics. An F serial could have a LEC and if it is a serviced crystal it definitely would have the LEC.

Hm it seems a few threads ( like this one https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=10320956 ) seems to suggest the opposite…that newer no holes 5-digit models didn’t come with a very pronounced bezel.

When did LEC’s start becoming standard? Didn’t know they have a higher profile. Maybe I’ll try to look for it if you all think it could be a LEC. I saw it on my 2019 Explorer 214270 - pretty neat stuff! Either way the crystal is one thing I’m not overly concerned about. Not exactly a consumable but close enough.


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[Mdpaint]

It looks good to me

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[G3Z]

It looks good to me also.

[BillA]

13 links from the factory, is it missing any links?

[jay_kay]

don't see anything wrong with that.

[MrMercedes]

Good job!

[interestedwatcher]

Looks nice to me.

[karleone]

Next time you should ask for advice before buying! This one looks much better than the 16710. It has been polished not the best polish I have ever seen but it’s decent. Chamfers are still there, lugs are sharp with a nice V brush, crow sharp on bracelet. Congrats it’s a nice piece!

[geedawg]

Originally Posted by BillA

13 links from the factory, is it missing any links?

Missing 1 link, it came with 12


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[spellmanski]

looks great to me

[geedawg]

Cool, thanks for the input everyone! Puts my mind at ease :)


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[173rdabn]

I've had both Polar and Black. Yours looks fine to me, nothing obviously wrong.
A really nice watch in my opinion. I hope you enjoy it.

[geedawg]

Originally Posted by bri

The edges of the case and bracelet look way too rounded. Probably the smooth areas were polished aggressively. The brushed parts look ok. End link fit is good. I'm suspicious of the crystal it looks a hair too tall.

LEC confirmed on the crystal, so that part is good to go. Great eye!


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[underpar]

Originally Posted by geedawg

LEC confirmed on the crystal, so that part is good to go. Great eye!


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That's good. The LEC started around 2000 on most models but for some reason the 16570 did not receive the LEC until about 2006.
If your crystal has a LEC, it is most likely an RSC crystal which would mean it has an "s" in the middle of it.

If so the good news is that your watch has been serviced at some point.

Look at it under a loupe or try to get a good pic of the LEC, an s in the middle stands for service crystal.