Explorer II questions

[slim4511]

I really like the Explorer II polar with the older red 24 hour hand 16570. What was the last serial code in which the red hand was produced? Also, when was the 3186 movement started on the Exp II?

[z32turbo]

Good questions. I think there are some V serial 16570 latest. And the 3186 started showing in some Z or M serial pieces. An expert will be along shortly to verify my thoughts.

[slim4511]

Thanks turbo. Any other thoughts out there?

[Tools]

Sounds about right..

Rolex doesn't start or stop anything based on a serial number, nor does anybody know how Rolex allocates serials to different models, so actual statistics are not available to the public..

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by slim4511

Thanks turbo. Any other thoughts out there?

If I remember correctly, caliber 3185 went out of production in April 2007. And since there was a time lag the caliber 3186 based Explorer IIs was at ADs during the autumn/winter of 2007. They were late Z-serials. I got an M0-serial in February 2008 and it has caliber 3186. Ref 16570/3186 has been seen with serials late Z, M, V, low G and some random.

It may be worth noting that the very last white Explorer IIs had slimmer black indexes compared to the earlier, allowing for slightly more lume. But you need to know what to look for... (minor differencies as usual with Rolex from time to time).

Do a search on chrono24.com and you will find several new ones.

Good luck!

Best,

A

Edit: See Puffy's post above on the dial!

[Psmith]

I had one of the last, and it was a 'V'

[Campanile]

I did some research on this before I bought my 16570 last year. The 3186 movement started appearing in the Z series, but not all Z's had the 3186. Mine is a G series, but I have also seen some 16570's in the random (8 digits) series.

[Puffy]

you MUST make sure to check out both the latest (Random) and V serial as there are IMO BIG differences in the last generation dial comparied to the second last..

see below a write up i did earlier in the year...

So it turns out that sometime after V or G, and definitely for the Random series, Rolex changed the thickness of the hour indices markers on the now discontinued etc Explorer II 167570, from thick to thin.

A guy on another forum has contacted Rolex and was advised that Rolex had made a modification to the 16570 dial recently by 'thinning out' the hour indices. This has the effect of increasing the diameter of the lume in the markers, making them appear larger at night...

Below you can see what I'm talking about

What do you guys think? Does this make sense?

Cutting down on material saves cash, it's like stripping out a car.. and why spend resources on something that is no more..

V, 2009, 16570 - THICK indices markers


Random, 2011, 16570 - THIN indicies markers

[Flyjet601]

Originally Posted by Puffy

you MUST make sure to check out both the latest (Random) and V serial as there are IMO BIG differences in the last generation dial comparied to the second last..

see below a write up i did earlier in the year...

So it turns out that sometime after V or G, and definitely for the Random series, Rolex changed the thickness of the hour indices markers on the now discontinued etc Explorer II 167570, from thick to thin.

A guy on another forum has contacted Rolex and was advised that Rolex had made a modification to the 16570 dial recently by 'thinning out' the hour indices. This has the effect of increasing the diameter of the lume in the markers, making them appear larger at night...

Below you can see what I'm talking about

What do you guys think? Does this make sense?

Cutting down on material saves cash, it's like stripping out a car.. and why spend resources on something that is no more..

V, 2009, 16570 - THICK indices markers


Random, 2011, 16570 - THIN indicies markers

Good info.......

Thanks

[wulfman]

Originally Posted by Flyjet601

Good info.......

Thanks

I´ve just bought a Z-Serial 16570 BNIB and it has also this thin framed dial!

[wulfman]

I´ve just bought a BNIB 16570 Z-Series and it also has this "thin-framed"-Dial!

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by wulfman

I´ve just bought a BNIB 16570 Z-Series and it also has this "thin-framed"-Dial!

post a pic if you can...

just goes to show that there's no consistency

[aurenas]

Originally Posted by Puffy

you MUST make sure to check out both the latest (Random) and V serial as there are IMO BIG differences in the last generation dial comparied to the second last..



see below a write up i did earlier in the year...



So it turns out that sometime after V or G, and definitely for the Random series, Rolex changed the thickness of the hour indices markers on the now discontinued etc Explorer II 167570, from thick to thin.



A guy on another forum has contacted Rolex and was advised that Rolex had made a modification to the 16570 dial recently by 'thinning out' the hour indices. This has the effect of increasing the diameter of the lume in the markers, making them appear larger at night...



Below you can see what I'm talking about



What do you guys think? Does this make sense?



Cutting down on material saves cash, it's like stripping out a car.. and why spend resources on something that is no more..



V, 2009, 16570 - THICK indices markers





Random, 2011, 16570 - THIN indicies markers

I thought i will share this with you guys and maybe you will find it interesting.


Both watches were mine. On the left we see G serial (thin markers) dial so called think frame and on the right we see Random serial with regular (thick markers) dial.







Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[joe100]

The thin dial is definitely noticeable.

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by joe100

The thin dial is definitely noticeable.

doesnt look good...

[93 Turbo]

The M series 16570 I purchased in 2009, has the serial number on the rehaut and case.

A side note reference the case serial no. has T stamp indicating it is transitional. Wether this indicates the early transition from 3185 to 3186 movements or transition to SEL?

This watch has the 3186 mvt. The 16710 GMT I have is fitted with the 3185 mvt and both keep exceptionally accurate time.

If it's a 16570 with 3186 movement, the M serial # and above should get what you are looking for. Many of the trusted sellers here can probably easily source one for you.

Good luck

[Puffy]

stunner, these will be a small fortune in the next few years

snap them up while stock lasts

Originally Posted by 93 Turbo

The M series 16570 I purchased in 2009, has the serial number on the rehaut and case.

A side note reference the case serial no. has T stamp indicating it is transitional. Wether this indicates the early transition from 3185 to 3186 movements or transition to SEL?

This watch has the 3186 mvt. The 16710 GMT I have is fitted with the 3185 mvt and both keep exceptionally accurate time.

If it's a 16570 with 3186 movement, the M serial # and above should get what you are looking for. Many of the trusted sellers here can probably easily source one for you.

Good luck

[Justinsyndicate]

I thought the T stamp simply indicated solid lugs. Good intel re the hour indices; the thicker style is more pleasing at daylight but this watch would not be hurt by a bit more lume IMO

[azguy]

Rolex should make more white dial watches, that's a beauty

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by Justinsyndicate

I thought the T stamp simply indicated solid lugs. Good intel re the hour indices; the thicker style is more pleasing at daylight but this watch would not be hurt by a bit more lume IMO

True. T-case = non-drilled through lugs. Nothing else.

[wulfman]

But Puffy, I think these ones are then very rare ones, aren't they?

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by wulfman

But Puffy, I think these ones are then very rare ones, aren't they?

may be rare with the thinner indicies - but IMO the thinner indices are an eyesore

[wulfman]

But Puffy, I think these ones are then very rare ones, aren't they?

[wulfman]

But these ones like my Z-Series with thin-framed Dial or your Mk 2 LV with Mk 3 Dial should be ultra rare, shouldn´t they?

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by wulfman

But these ones like my Z-Series with thin-framed Dial or your Mk 2 LV with Mk 3 Dial should be ultra rare, shouldn´t they?

i've not seen other Zs with the thinner black indices

[slim4511]

What about the rehaut engraving? Are there certain codes that are more likely to have the engraving? My preferences are: Red 24 hour hand, 3186 movement, Rehaut engraving. What serial codes do I have the best chance of finding this combination?

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by slim4511

What about the rehaut engraving? Are there certain codes that are more likely to have the engraving? My preferences are: Red 24 hour hand, 3186 movement, Rehaut engraving. What serial codes do I have the best chance of finding this combination?

Vs, Gs and Randoms

[slim4511]

And by the way, in a polar dial.