Explorer II 16570

[Tessabreton]

Hello, I present to you this Explorer II of mine ref 16570, ser U686XXX, with the so-called “Tritinova” dial (with luminova but with the writing t<25). What do
you think, is it a variant of some interest?

[Dan S]

Looks like a standard U-series 16570. Perfectly nice watch, but not of particular interest, IMO. There were various changes that happened during the tritium to SL transition (tritinova, Swiss only, etc.), but these are incidental things that are of no interest to collectors. Some sellers try to fool buyers into thinking otherwise, of course, by advertising "rare Swiss-only dial," etc.

More broadly, I don't consider the 16570 to be a vintage reference, and as a classic or "Neo-vintage" reference, the 16570 examples that are of interest to collectors are the Chicchi di Mais watches where the lume plots have dramatically yellowed.

[swish77]

From a neo-classic/vintage viewpoint, this reference needs to have a tritium dial AND heavy patina to be more interesting to a collector.

I’ve seen some amazing-looking 16550s, which are similar to the 16570 but usually with cooler patina and a thicker-font bezel that adds to the appeal. Problem with those is that the dial surface often ages poorly for some reason. Clean ones are rare.

[Tessabreton]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Looks like a standard U-series 16570. Perfectly nice watch, but not of particular interest, IMO. There were various changes that happened during the tritium to SL transition (tritinova, Swiss only, etc.), but these are incidental things that are of no interest to collectors. Some sellers try to fool buyers into thinking otherwise, of course, by advertising "rare Swiss-only dial," etc.

More broadly, I don't consider the 16570 to be a vintage reference, and as a classic or "Neo-vintage" reference, the 16570 examples that are of interest to collectors are the Chicchi di Mais watches where the lume plots have dramatically yellowed.

I agree with your considerations, however this combination is really rare as it was produced for only a few months.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Tessabreton

I agree with your considerations, however this combination is really rare as it was produced for only a few months.

Rarity and value are not connected as much as you think. We see this misconception very frequently on the forum. Desirability is also a critical consideration, and there is nothing particularly desirable about a tritinova dial. I understand that you are hoping to hear that you have something special and valuable, but it's just not the case. If you enjoy the fact that your particular dial was made for a short period of time, that's great. But most of us would MUCH rather have a tritium dial, and hopefully a tritium dial that shows some color.

You can break down the history of any Rolex reference in a more and more granular analysis and identify extremely "rare" variations. This can be a fun exercise, and a useful way for pedantic collectors to identify watches. But nobody cares about most of these variations from a valuation perspective.

[Tessabreton]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Rarity and value are not connected as much as you think. We see this misconception very frequently on the forum. Desirability is also a critical consideration, and there is nothing particularly desirable about a tritinova dial. I understand that you are hoping to hear that you have something special and valuable, but it's just not the case. If you enjoy the fact that your particular dial was made for a short period of time, that's great. But most of us would MUCH rather have a tritium dial, and hopefully a tritium dial that shows some color.

You can break down the history of any Rolex reference in a more and more granular analysis and identify extremely "rare" variations. This can be a fun exercise, and a useful way for pedantic collectors to identify watches. But nobody cares about most of these variations from a valuation perspective.

I know very well that rare does not mean greater value and there is no hope on my part of having in my hands an object of greater value.
I know well the dynamics of Rolex collecting.

Mine was just curiosity for a term, “Tritinova”, which was unknown to me. Greetings

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by swish77

From a neo-classic/vintage viewpoint, this reference needs to have a tritium dial AND heavy patina to be more interesting to a collector.

I’ve seen some amazing-looking 16550s, which are similar to the 16570 but usually with cooler patina and a thicker-font bezel that adds to the appeal. Problem with those is that the dial surface often ages poorly for some reason. Clean ones are rare.

That is very true of the first 2-3 years of 570's. A good one is a bargain though and a cheapish future classic imho.

[Tools]

Good looking watch. The Exp II is one of my favorites.

Most models used the last of the tritium font dials but Luminove lume at the changeover. Rolex doesn't like to waste stuff and it gives us more conversation/controversy material on the Forum.

[skymast]

I have a 16570 Polar. No idea the date but I love it!

[bncapass1]

Along with watches I collect vintage and neo vintage Rolex parts including a few dials specifically tritium I've picked up over the years and just received a 16610 tritium marked dial yesterday that glows when charged which is referred to as "tritinova". I had heard about these years ago but didn't really have an opinion either way but knew they certainly wouldn't patina like tritium. Of course the trade off is nighttime visibility with the look of vintage which to many is a huge plus. I was a bit disappointed that the seller didn't list this detail as he listed it as a "genuine tritium Rolex dial in good condition". The seller is reputable and when I asked him about it he said he and his father were certified Rolex service partners and had encounter these tritinova dials on quite a few 1998 U serial Rolex's. He said they are now going through their old inventory and putting items up for sale. He did offered me a hassle free return to make me happy but the tritinova story, like the 5513 sider dials are always fascinating with a company like Rolex that prides itself on perfection.

[TuRo]

As far as I'm aware, no ROLEX production piece had a T25 tritinova fitted.

Mind you, if anyone has a piece where they are original owner with B and P, of a A or U serial that had originally tritinova fitted (lumes up VERY bright green for 2-3 minutes under UV/L.E.D.), I'd love to be enlightened / put right.

U and A were typically Swiss footer LUMINOVA dials, plus a few proper tritium pieces (lume by now practically dead/faint) I have always found.

So-called 'Tritinova dials' was a tactical service stockpiling in RSC's from 1999 to c 2006/7, many were used up by 2002/2003 but on some rarer pieces they stayed in RSC's a few years longer (latest 'tritinova' I have seen is Johannesburg RSC 2006)

They were manufactured using up the the large stockpile of old t25 dials, but applying luminova as Tritium was outlawed (although Panerai had 'professional dive pieces' PAMS 24,25 (actual tritium to 2003) and others eg PAM 285 up to 2009 marked Tritium but actually Luminova).

Some 'Swiss' service luminova stocks have expired/been used up, and RSC's are also fitting end of line 'Swiss Made' production dials now - I was surprised to get on a 16600 1993 piece that needed a new dial 10 years ago, fitted with a 'swiss made' old stock production dial - pleasantly surprised in fact, as I don't favour the SWISS only service dials personally.

[Tessabreton]

Originally Posted by TuRo

As far as I'm aware, no ROLEX production piece had a T25 tritinova fitted.

Mind you, if anyone has a piece where they are original owner with B and P, of a A or U serial that had originally tritinova fitted (lumes up VERY bright green for 2-3 minutes under UV/L.E.D.), I'd love to be enlightened / put right.

U and A were typically Swiss footer LUMINOVA dials, plus a few proper tritium pieces (lume by now practically dead/faint) I have always found.

So-called 'Tritinova dials' was a tactical service stockpiling in RSC's from 1999 to c 2006/7, many were used up by 2002/2003 but on some rarer pieces they stayed in RSC's a few years longer (latest 'tritinova' I have seen is Johannesburg RSC 2006)

They were manufactured using up the the large stockpile of old t25 dials, but applying luminova as Tritium was outlawed (although Panerai had 'professional dive pieces' PAMS 24,25 (actual tritium to 2003) and others eg PAM 285 up to 2009 marked Tritium but actually Luminova).

Some 'Swiss' service luminova stocks have expired/been used up, and RSC's are also fitting end of line 'Swiss Made' production dials now - I was surprised to get on a 16600 1993 piece that needed a new dial 10 years ago, fitted with a 'swiss made' old stock production dial - pleasantly surprised in fact, as I don't favour the SWISS only service dials personally.

This is my guarantee