The Explorer II Enigma. Historical Thread

[Laszlo]

I had a chance to run down to our local Rolex AD here in San Francisco to check out the Explorer II 216570. I'm in love! What a great piece. So simple and clean. Now I just need to formulate a plan to get one as soon as possible. Highly underrated piece IMO.

[bobert]

It was a toss-up for me between this and a YM/Blue dial. I really like the 24 hour complication, but the rotating bezel is more useful to me, and I like the blue dial, so I went with the YM. But if I had to choose an EXP it would be the black dial. More of a classic look to my eye.
-B

[djoseph1174]

I love the Black face 216570!

[Birch]

I really thought I wanted a 216570 (probably still do!) but couldn't pass up a black 16570.

I thought I would give it to my wife because I usually wear a Panerai 000. My wife thought the explorer was too big, so I sized it for my 7.5" flat shaped wrist and haven't taken it off since.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1386941316.083229.jpg

Now I'm torn between a white Milgauss or Polar Explorer for my next one!


I shoot people and things and get paid for it.

[Sunee53]

Originally Posted by Birch

I really thought I wanted a 216570 (probably still do!) but couldn't pass up a black 16570.

I thought I would give it to my wife because I usually wear a Panerai 000. My wife thought the explorer was too big, so I sized it for my 7.5" flat shaped wrist and haven't taken it off since.

Attachment 449036

Now I'm torn between a white Milgauss or Polar Explorer for my next one!


I shoot people and things and get paid for it.

Well, you se how great that looks, why not just get another dial and switch if you are interested?

[rolley7]

IMHO it is the best all around Rolex out there. love mine....42mm black

[Explorador]

Been following this thread since the beginning, learning and catching fire. Its like a personal honor/reward for me to finally have something to post here.
My holy grail watch has always been the exii 16570 black. I bought it and gave it to my holy grail woman as an act of romanticism. Getting the same watch for me would be extremely unromantic, I thought, so got for me the ex II`s next of kin, the 16710 black.

Happy new year to everyone!

[dkmajm]

I have a Polar 16570 that's away at RSC in Sydney and hopefully back mid next month. Had to buy a SubC to keep me company while it's away!!! The SubC is stunning but am really missing the Exp2. While it's away have sourced a grey NATO strap and a black silicon rubber strap as on its return it will take the role of home/travel watch while the sub will be more work/church etc. Long live the wonderful 16570.


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[Old Expat Beast]

I wear this more than any of my others these days, but it is the one I was least crazy about before buying.

[DSJ]

What a great story and fantastic pair of watches!

Originally Posted by Explorador

Been following this thread since the beginning, learning and catching fire. Its like a personal honor/reward for me to finally have something to post here.
My holy grail watch has always been the exii 16570 black. I bought it and gave it to my holy grail woman as an act of romanticism. Getting the same watch for me would be extremely unromantic, I thought, so got for me the ex II`s next of kin, the 16710 black.

Happy new year to everyone!

[CrownMe]

as long as you like it....thats all that matters.


Oh and if im climbing dunes....the Rolex's will stay home and i will pull the Gshock out. No need to impress the sand

[strafer_kid]

Reality is that you cannot really go wrong with any of the Explorers - rugged, stylish, and non bling! Still retain the toolwatch look and function, and if you search hard enough, you can pick up a good one at a good price!

[mrhy]

Sold mine recently,started to miss it the next day,just started looking for another one


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[red.earth]

With all the frenzied focus on Basel, might I draw your attention away from those mostly unattainable (for most) new releases and bring it back to a relatively more affordable and what many consider to be the finest tool watch of them all - the mighty Explorer II.

I still regret selling my black dial 16570 but at least I've still got my polar :)

These watches don't seem to be mentioned too often any more. Are they now out of fashion?

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[dkmajm]

Never out of fashion, mines been back from RSC for a week or so now strapped it to a NATO and it's my everyday watch, will accompany me on trips to Fiji, Vanuatu and the good ol US of A during the year....


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[Mick P]

Chaps

I will be blunt.

The Explorer1 and Explorer2 are both technically brilliant watches that are housed in a simple and discrete case that does not scream rolex.

The GMT and Sub Mariner scream ROLEX and attract attention and are frankly inappropriate for business wear. Wearing a bezel under a suit just looks plain stupid, it really does.

The Explorer can go deeper than what 99% of watches are actually taken too and are as tough as old boots.

Prince Harry, who I think we can all agree has an element of good breeding, wears an Explorer2 on active service as well as on formal occassions, whilst your average attention seeking film star wears a gold Daytona. I think the message is obvious.

The Explorer is the true and pure Rolex.

Regards

Mick

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Chaps

I will be blunt.

The Explorer1 and Explorer2 are both technically brilliant watches that are housed in a simple and discrete case that does not scream rolex.

The GMT and Sub Mariner scream ROLEX and attract attention and are frankly inappropriate for business wear. Wearing a bezel under a suit just looks plain stupid, it really does.

The Explorer can go deeper than what 99% of watches are actually taken too and are as tough as old boots.

Prince Harry, who I think we can all agree has an element of good breeding, wears an Explorer2 on active service as well as on formal occassions, whilst your average attention seeking film star wears a gold Daytona. I think the message is obvious.

The Explorer is the true and pure Rolex.

Regards

Mick

Nicely said. More and more, especially with the introduction of ceramic bezels and white gold tool watches, I think the ExpII might be the best for for me.

[red.earth]

That may be true, Mick, but I suppose regardless of the context it's worn in, if you like it on your wrist, it doesn't matter much how "appropriate" it might be.

I wear my Exp I in the office and my Exp II at weekends, but I'd happily wear a black dial Daytona any day of the week, no matter where I was. Since my lottery numbers haven't yet come up, I should probably put that fantasy to bed.

If only I could have the bracelet that's on my Exp I on my Exp II too. It's better in every possible way, and adds such a huge feeling of quality. Anyway, that's enough rambling...


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[jolonghorn]

Just picked up my second Rolex in as many years after being a long time Omega wearer. Love my new Polar EXP2 216750. I'll balance this with my SubC and Speedmaster.

Really great watch for just about any purpose.

Need to get another Rolex though so I can hand one down to each of my 3 boys! Decisions, decisions.

[deej]

Expy2 on a paolo18 strap...


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[krieves]

My Exp II is my daily watch. Don't get me wrong I love my Daytona and I'll go several days without taking it off, but my heart belongs to my Exp II. It's amazingly tough (Accidentally, I've worn it while operating a jack-hammer for about 30 minutes and it never skipped a second), graceful in appearance, and is subtly understated.

[Ru4scuba]

No enigma here...this might be the only Rolex I ever own...

[adamlea]

Originally Posted by Ru4scuba

No enigma here...this might be the only Rolex I ever own...

x2

Still digging my 216570 in black - there is Bo substitute.

[Tombstone]

I like the white Exp II always have always will. Am I going to buy one who knows I have not yet.

[JCW1980]

A couple years ago, when I let myself start looking at Rolex, the 16570 was the reference that jumped out at me. After two years, it's still in the forefront of my mind, even though I haven't owned one yet.

I fully intended to pick one up, but ended up finding a great deal on a 1016 which I couldn't pass up...had that one for almost a year, enjoyed it, and sold it recently. After that I wrestled with whether to get a GMT Master or the 16570....the GMT won out, but the 16570 is still there, bugging me.

I do believe that the 16570 will have to be the next acquisition. I really like my 16700 GMT, but having it now, it also further underscores the fact that I really appreciate the "stealth" Rolex. Loved that about the 1016, and the 16570 has huge appeal to me for that reason too.

Cheers to the "Enigma Empire"! Hope you all are having a great week!

[eightbore]

Most of the Rolex sport line represents that hot blonde you dated briefly when you were a senior in college...

The Explorer II is her freaky younger sister that winked at you over dinner.

[JCW1980]

Originally Posted by eightbore

Most of the Rolex sport line represents that hot blonde you dated briefly when you were a senior in college...

The Explorer II is her freaky younger sister that winks at you over dinner.

lol.. See, I think the ExpII represents the one you marry.. sensible, reliable, attractive, but not too flashy with the goods..

a true keeper

[eightbore]

I agree to some degree except there's no rule that says the freaky younger sister is not sensible...and she might not be flashy. She might be the understated hipster/grungy/goth chick in the neighborhood. I think the smart guy marries the freaky younger sister. He'll be happier in the long run then he would have been with the "standard" hot blonde that represents all the expectations that society has for him. Read into that what you wish submariner owners. :)

;)

[FiftyTwoEighty]

Originally Posted by eightbore

Most of the Rolex sport line represents that hot blonde you dated briefly when you were a senior in college...

The Explorer II is her freaky younger sister that winked at you over dinner.

Originally Posted by JCW1980

lol.. See, I think the ExpII represents the one you marry.. sensible, reliable, attractive, but not too flashy with the goods..

a true keeper

Ok...I just about spit out my morning coffee from laughing!

[ExplorerChris]

I think people shy away from the Explorer II because of the fact it dosent look like a sub or a GMT and you can spot a Sub or GMT from a mile away.
I love my 16550 Black dial I like the second time zone feature and the fixed graduated bezel reminds me of the Daytona bezel.
The watch itself is a tank it looks sharp as a dress watch or a good hacking around watch for everyday.
I like it because it dosent look like every other Rolex on every other wrist.