The Rolex Explorer II

[Tools]

Explorer II Reference Numbers: 1655, 16550, 16570, 216570

Date of production: 1971 until present.

Movement: 1575, 3085, 3185/3186 - 216570, 3187

Case Size: 40mm - 216570, 42mm

Weight: 126 grams

Power Reserve: ~48 hrs

Photographs:
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa67/LD_album/Explorer/blackdial.jpg

White Explorer II--D series
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/whiteexp.jpg

White Dial - P serial
200384

Last of the 16570's, G serial.
200380

reference 1655, 5 mil. 1575 movement, luminous dot on seconds hand.
(Photo curtesy of Mike)
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/116_163850.jpg

216570 (Rolex Press Kit photo)
200381
http://www.rolexforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=196638&d=1301283962

[Rebel]

I'd love me one of those Steve McQueen Explorer IIs.

[greekbum]

16570

[uberman20]

I am hoping to get a 16550: and this thread is super helpful! Thanks all!

[paultran37]

Had one but sold it.

[sea-dweller]

Great photos and info.

[not_a_doctor]

I know the current 16570 is waterproof to 100m, but does anyone know if the Explorer II has had different waterproof certifications throughout its run?

nad

[Tools]

I know the current 16570 is waterproof to 100m, but does anyone know if the Explorer II has had different waterproof certifications throughout its run?

nad

The Explorer II has always had a 100meter waterproof Oyster case.

[not_a_doctor]

The Explorer II has always had a 100meter waterproof Oyster case.

Thanks for the info!

[rfknauss]

Larry, the Explorer II is a true classic Rolex ......... personally I prefer the white dial. :thumbsup:
:cheers:

[Dr. Robert]

The Explorer II...........the stealth Rolex!
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll230/DrRobert1951/DSCN0534.jpg

[risico]

Thanks Tools for this excellent review, the white dial explorer is really something!

[Poom]

I hv 10 Rolex sport, you named it, but just bought Ex II Black yesterday, I feel EX II is the most comfortabe watch to wear and the beauty will gradually shine up to be one of the most beautiful Rolex sport watch, once you look at its dial for 1 minute, this is great watch which I think will be the colletable item in near future. I love ex II.

[faingator]

just got the white dial explorer II and loving it. It's my new to me work watch. Amazing fit and finish

[DOUBLE 0 SE7EN]

Everyday I love my polar more and more...

[teeva3333]

The Explorer II...........the stealth Rolex!
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll230/DrRobert1951/DSCN0534.jpg

Dr. Robert, is that orange hand 5 million series? The font on bezel looks thinner than the older version. Correct me if I am wrong.

ron

[kingblackbolt]

Great thread here! I started a recent one for pics and information here if anyone wants to see some good shots...

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=1737747#post1737747

[Cru Jones]

thanks for the nice pictures and reference material!

question: i notice some people refer to the dial being white, and some people say polar....is there a preferred term? a correct term? :thinking:

TIA....

[Lol-x]

Polar white is the colour of the dial. Some say white and some say polar, its all the same, unless it is cream :banghead: :banghead:

[Cru Jones]

Link to another forum thread with an informative overview of the Explorers: http://www.rolexforums.com/showpost.php?p=1742753&postcount=71

[mhmfao]

ALCON,

I just bought an immaculate black face 16570 (P-series circa 2000, overhauled in 2007 for $3,000.00USD) and have two questions:

1) The 16570 does not have its waterproof rating of 100m/330ft on the face of its oyster case. Why is that? I would think it should since the watch is designed for rough duty.

2) Is the 16570 sufficiently waterproof to shower and swim in daily (hot and cold water conditions)? Note: I'm not a diver and therefore not concerned with the more extreme depth and pressure requirements associated with the sport.

BACKGROUND: I wanted a watch that I could wear where ever I go 24/7/365--like it's a part of my body. The 16570 is the only watch I've found that is: 1) comfortable to the point that I forget I'm wearing it; 2) appropriate to wear in any social situation; and 3) appropriate to wear with any kind of clothes. Obviously, wearing it everywhere all the time will cause more wear and require more cleaning, but I'm okay with that as long as doing so does not damage the watch. After five years or so, as the watch begins to show wear, I will likely buy a 116710LN GMT II (black face, black ceramic bezel) for more formal/dressier occasions.

All comments welcome.

V/R,

MM

[Dr. Robert]

You got a great Rolex. The Rolex Expl. 2...............the stealth Rolex! You can swim w/ it....I don't wear watches in bath, shower, hot tub, steam room or sauna......but swimming...fresh or salt water no problems....I have 2 1655 Expl. 2's, both purchased new and they're bulletproof!
Had them renovated in 2005....
1973 Expl. 2 # 1655
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll230/DrRobert1951/DSCN0503.jpg
1974 Expl. 2 #1655
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll230/DrRobert1951/DSCN0534.jpg

[RickRolex]

Is there any difference between the Explorer II series Z and any of the prior series? I don't understand the concept of series. Many thanks.

[Mr. Greene]

I have an Explorer II orange hand and love the look. i should be getting it back from Rolex after some TLC in about another week. :cheers:

[Autobot]

In regards to the EXP II orange hand, is there any weight to the rumor that maybe next years model may be bringing this back? Thanks

[brigadoonb]

I love the classic!

[Mendota]

In regards to the EXP II orange hand, is there any weight to the rumor that maybe next years model may be bringing this back? Thanks

There is a Rolex video with Basel 2010 highlights. You can watch it on Youtube so just Google it or search within Youtube. In the video there is clearly an Exp II with the new maxi case, triplock crown, new style Oyster band with GMTIIc clasp, and orange GMT hand. Word is Rolex didn't want to steal the thunder from the new Exp 1 release this year, so the redesigned Exp II won't be coming out until Basel 2011. The video was made prior to Basel, so that's why both the Exp 1 and II are both in the video.

[Autobot]

Yeah I caught that the other day, now I just have to wait a year for the watch to be released....

[Roley]

I'm still looking for a 1655 with a straight second hand! :thumbsup:

[E.Peynado]

3.0 M serial , all original

[Roley]

WOW!! :wow: Very nice E.Peynado!. :thumbsup:

[Roley]

3.0 M serial , all original OOPS!! Forgot to quote...but I'll compliment your 1655, straight second hand again. :thumbsup:

[Mr. Greene]

I just got my orange hand back from Rolex after some desperatly needed work I know I probably lost some collector value but the watch was in pretty bad shape and I had them replace the hands and dial, along with the servicing and replacement of the bracelet. but it looks extremely good, like I assume it looked when my Uncle bought it originally. I just wish he saved the box. now I have the daily dilema of which watch to wear, the Exp, or the Sub.

[tep663]

my dad has a rolex explorer II orange hand and somebody tokk it in his house... waaaaahhhh!!!!! missed that watch.....most rolex lovers liked it compared to my M series explorer II hahaha...

[Brich436]

Hello everyone,

I have a question. I just received a new Explorer 2 white face as a gift and I noticed that my Exp 2 does not have the ROLEXROLEXROLEX inscribed on the inside of the inner ring of the dial. The photograph on Rolex's website shows this feature on the Exp 2.

Does anyone know when Rolex added this feature? My Exp 2 was purchased new from an AD in June of 2010.

Thanks

[wisguy]

Hello everyone,

I have a question. I just received a new Explorer 2 white face as a gift and I noticed that my Exp 2 does not have the ROLEXROLEXROLEX inscribed on the inside of the inner ring of the dial. The photograph on Rolex's website shows this feature on the Exp 2.

Does anyone know when Rolex added this feature? My Exp 2 was purchased new from an AD in June of 2010.

Thanks

Do you have the serial number? That will tell you the year of production and the answer to your question, should it have it or not?

[DM101]

Hello everyone,

I have a question. I just received a new Explorer 2 white face as a gift and I noticed that my Exp 2 does not have the ROLEXROLEXROLEX inscribed on the inside of the inner ring of the dial. The photograph on Rolex's website shows this feature on the Exp 2.

Does anyone know when Rolex added this feature? My Exp 2 was purchased new from an AD in June of 2010.

Thanks

Earlier batch of Z series doers not come with this ROLEX ROLEX rehaut/engraving. Like this piece of mine... a studio shot of my EXPLORER 2 :clap:

[Brich436]

Do you have the serial number? That will tell you the year of production and the answer to your question, should it have it or not?

How do I determine the serial number? I think it's underneath the band at 6 o'clock. I'm not quiet sure how to take the band off of the watch?

[Brich436]

Do you have the serial number? That will tell you the year of production and the answer to your question, should it have it or not?

The serial number is Z706XXX

Thanks for the information.

[calibre1]

Hi, I am just curious about the material used to make the hands and black rim around the luminova dots. Are those white gold painted black or just stainless steel painted black?

Also what's the dial made of...what's behind the white paint?

That would be interested to know.
Thanks ! Cheers!:cheers::cheers:

[tomchicago]

Hi, I am just curious about the material used to make the hands and black rim around the luminova dots. Are those white gold painted black or just stainless steel painted black?

Also what's the dial made of...what's behind the white paint?

That would be interested to know.
Thanks ! Cheers!:cheers::cheers:

x2 :thumbsup:

[Tools]

Hi, I am just curious about the material used to make the hands and black rim around the luminova dots. Are those white gold painted black or just stainless steel painted black?

Also what's the dial made of...what's behind the white paint?

That would be interested to know.
Thanks ! Cheers!:cheers::cheers:

The dial is painted brass, the same as most other Rolex Dials..

The hands and hour markers are 18k gold, painted black... (and red)

http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/WatchWorkshop/Dials-Hands-Movements/CurvedHand3.jpg

[calibre1]

The dial is painted brass, the same as most other Rolex Dials..

The hands and hour markers are 18k gold, painted black... (and red)

http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/WatchWorkshop/Dials-Hands-Movements/CurvedHand3.jpg


Thanks Larry

That is very interesting indeed.:thumbsup:
From your picture, the sides and unpainted portion of hands does looks silver-ish.

I actually thought that the hands and hour markers were the same as those in the submariners i.e white gold but painted in black and red. :thinking:

Correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks a lot Larry!!:cheers:

[Aspirin]

I know the current 16570 is waterproof to 100m, but does anyone know if the Explorer II has had different waterproof certifications throughout its run?

nad

It seems that Rolex left this empty!

[Hluot]

16570

According to the the official rolex web site (http://www.rolex.com/en) is mention that the E2 was launched in 1971.

So now I'm a little confused: 1971 or 1972?

[Fab75]

I also love my explo 2

http://images3.photomania.com/635416/1/rad2400A.jpg (http://www.photomania.com/)

[cgjane]

I'll add my DLC to the thread:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y218/gw4k/P1030116800x600.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y218/gw4k/P1030117800x600.jpg

[JCSA]

I love the white dial it´s a classic,as for the Daytona SS.My collection is no 4 Rolex´s two white dial and two black,Daytona SS,Exp. II,Submariner and a GMT II.

[capote]

According to Rolex.com the EX2 was introduced 1971, and that must have been the 1655. When was the 16550 and 16570 introduced?

[edbsbc78]

Thanks Larry,
Great article on Explorer II.
I have a 16570 Black dial, and after all theses years, i still find myself staring at it in awe of its "beauty."
Cheers!

[rvmeeker]

I, too, have attempted to discern the chronological time-line for, and the exact differences between, the various Explorer II models. I understand that the original 1655 was introduced in 1971, but the exact model-year dates for the 16550 and 16570 are unclear to me. I'm pretty sure that the sapphire crystal was introduced in 1986, but don't know if this was on the 16550 or the 16570 model. Finally, I've seen references to D, G, M, N, V and Z-Series (and probably others). Do these series designations simply refer to the year of manufacture, or are there specific features that distinguish one series from another? When did the orange 24-hour hand change from orange to red? When did the bracelets change? When was the super luminova paint added? When was the rehaut inscription added? I've searched the forum and web for clear answers to clear up this confusion, but have failed to find any definitive model and series historical time-line. Can anyone enlighten me?

Mucho Mahalo,
Roger
Kapoho, Hawaii

[capote]

I, too, have attempted to discern the chronological time-line for, and the exact differences between, the various Explorer II models. I understand that the original 1655 was introduced in 1971, but the exact model-year dates for the 16550 and 16570 are unclear to me. I'm pretty sure that the sapphire crystal was introduced in 1986, but don't know if this was on the 16550 or the 16570 model. Finally, I've seen references to D, G, M, N, V and Z-Series (and probably others). Do these series designations simply refer to the year of manufacture, or are there specific features that distinguish one series from another? When did the orange 24-hour hand change from orange to red? When did the bracelets change? When was the super luminova paint added? When was the rehaut inscription added? I've searched the forum and web for clear answers to clear up this confusion, but have failed to find any definitive model and series historical time-line. Can anyone enlighten me?

Mucho Mahalo,
Roger
Kapoho, Hawaii

I can only answer a few of those questions - I'm not a full blown WIS yet. There are no official data as to when a certain series was produced but fans has but together lists online. The 1655 is the only model with an orange arrow shaped 24-hour hand. The 16550 has GMT shaped red hand but it is still fixed to the hour hand so it is a 24-hour hand. The 16570 has the same movement as the GMT 16710 so the 24-hour hand is actually an independent GMT hand. For the new model coming out this year 216570 the original 1655 hand has made a comeback, with a larger case and a new movement, 3187.

I think the change from tritium to luminova took place around 1998. The engraved rehaut started around 2007 on the EXP2 I think. For the 16570 there was also an updated movement 3186, for the models with the engraved rehaut and possible in some without the rehaut.

[rvmeeker]

Thanks, Daniel. I really appreciate your response. Can anybody else shed light on what distinguishes one series from another? D vs. M vs. V vs. Z, etc. To be honest, I'm not even certain whether the letter designations are even chronological, as I believe that JJ mentioned that the V-Series (apparently the latest) has the 3186 movement.

Roger

[Edwin Ong]

I love this complete orange hand !

[De Sisti]

Excuse me for jumping into this discussion. I'm only doing so because I've sent
my Explorer II off for servicing (bought in 1994, serial S6*****). When I bought
it, it looked great to me. Now, with my eyesight failing, I find it difficult to focus
on it. A colleague in work had a similar model, but with a cream coloured dial. I
could focus on it with no problems.

I've read somewhere that these cream dials weren't produced for very long and
that they are very rare. Has anyone heard of someone having their white dial
repainted to cream? I'm very tempted to purchase a black dial, as the contrast
of the different colour hands and hour markers will make it easier for me to focus on.

[dan5]

Hello Gents,

I saw a expoler ii for sale buy trusted sell today....Can anyone please educate me on the year and movement of this model. 16570 snd Serial Y 822xxxxx. Thanks

[capote]

Excuse me for jumping into this discussion. I'm only doing so because I've sent
my Explorer II off for servicing (bought in 1994, serial S6*****). When I bought
it, it looked great to me. Now, with my eyesight failing, I find it difficult to focus
on it. A colleague in work had a similar model, but with a cream coloured dial. I
could focus on it with no problems.

I've read somewhere that these cream dials weren't produced for very long and
that they are very rare. Has anyone heard of someone having their white dial
repainted to cream? I'm very tempted to purchase a black dial, as the contrast
of the different colour hands and hour markers will make it easier for me to focus on.

First off, welcome :cheers: Second: You're not really jumping into any discussion, this thread has been dead for 6 months :chuckle: Anyway, the cream colour was a factory defect. They started out white and turned cream colour later on. They are way more expensive than the ordinary white ones since people tend to like collecting defect Rolexes. I have never heard of anybody trying to repaint the dial though.

[capote]

Hello Gents,

I saw a expoler ii for sale buy trusted sell today....Can anyone please educate me on the year and movement of this model. 16570 snd Serial Y 822xxxxx. Thanks

Welcome :cheers: If the watch has a ROLEXROLEXROLEX engraved rehaut, it has the 3186 movement, which was the last one for this model. The earlier had a 3185 movement. There are/were some internet hype with the later movement, but IMO its not worth the premium of getting the 3186. Since the new Explorer II 216570 has the newer 3187 movement they are infact both obsolete. Not familiar with the different serials but If the watch in question has lug holes its an older model.

[De Sisti]

@ Capote, thanks for the welcome. I have decided on a black dial for my watch's
new look. I'm having it serviced by a former Rolex service engineer. He has all of
the requisite tools and can get hold of genuine parts. I'm been charged £175,
plus whatever the new dial costs. I was quoted £435 by Rolex of London, and
£450 by Watches of Switzerland in Manchester. The dealer who's servicing mine
said the the 7 week wait quoted by Rolex for the servicing is just to justify the
£400+.

On 23 November I sent off my Zeno Explorer (looks like an Explorer I) to Switzerland
and my Traser Classic automatic to Hampshire for servicing. Both are being returned,
fully serviced. They both have ETA 2824-2 movements. Servicing costs were; Zeno Explorer
CHF 105 (about £105); the Traser £85. Once I have all of my 3 watches back,
fully serviced, I'll probably shelve my plans of looking for a Tudor Submariner.

[Rsvrider]

Is the 216570 the only 42mm? What was the 1st yr off production/release? Any of you fortunate enough to share a side by side pic of both the 40mm and the 42mm? The more I read about the opinions of owning an ExpII the more I want one. Seems like the perfect daily all arounder. Leaning towards a black faced with OD green NATO. One more thing, would it be wrong to switch the hands to the thicker ones and the big orange hr hand too on a modern?
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