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22 April 2019, 06:20 AM | #2281 |
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Location: Miami
Watch: me lose count.
Posts: 5,568
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I agree with you OP, the Exp II is unloved, which means it sold less, which means its rarer, which means that it will be worth more in the future. The fact that its also a beauty, makes ownership better too. Here are my two, 40+42
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♛ 116689 ♛ 116500LN Blk ♛ 116500LN Wht ♛ Sky Dweller 326934-003 ♛ 126710BLNR ♛ 126710BLRO - ♛ 126610LV ♛ 16520 ♛ 16523 ♛ 16610 ♛ 5513 Birth Year - ✠ Patek Philippe 5980/1A-001 - AP 26331ST Panda - Panerai Fiddy 127, Bronzo 671, 687, 111, Ω Speedmaster 1957 Broad Arrow, Daniel Roth Endurer Chronosprint, Cartier Santos XL - ✿ Tudor Black Bay 58 Bronze M79012M, Montblanc TimeWalker Chrono 41 |
22 April 2019, 06:42 AM | #2282 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 91
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25 April 2019, 06:07 AM | #2283 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Bay Area
Watch: 116600
Posts: 38
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Can't wait to join you guys! Paid for mine and expecting for arrival tomorrow! Receiving a polar 16570
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25 April 2019, 06:22 PM | #2284 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Poland
Posts: 9
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little colour ...
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26 April 2019, 02:03 AM | #2285 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Real Name: Sean
Location: NY
Watch: 5 Digit
Posts: 2,840
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26 April 2019, 04:01 AM | #2286 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Real Name: Matt
Location: NYC
Watch: 214270 16570
Posts: 382
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29 April 2019, 04:45 PM | #2287 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Bay Area
Watch: 116600
Posts: 38
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I just received mine recently and I am in love!
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29 April 2019, 04:51 PM | #2288 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: The Bahamas
Watch: 116610lv
Posts: 1,035
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9 May 2019, 09:33 AM | #2289 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 91
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9 May 2019, 10:10 AM | #2290 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2009
Real Name: John
Location: Midwest
Watch: 5513,1675,216570
Posts: 1,465
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I just read another recent TRF Topic regarding DavidSW vs Rolex MSRP prices. And as usual, the Exp II fared the worst, even lower than the Milgauss and Air-King. The grey price even approaches my cost in Norway minus VAT plus duty.
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9 May 2019, 10:46 AM | #2291 |
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Real Name: Fred
Location: NYC/NJ Metro Area
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 8,500
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19 May 2019, 01:02 PM | #2292 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Real Name: Bill
Location: USA
Watch: 114270 & 116710LN
Posts: 107
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The Explorer II Enigma
What an epic thread! Thoroughly enjoyed reading it all over the past few days.
Just picked up a 2005-ish 16570 with black dial. The polar Explorer II was the first Rolex I remember noticing years ago. I remember seeing this model (especially the distinctive SS bezel) in Japan during a week of business meetings there along with a 114270 (which the Japanese love because of Kimura Takuya wearing it decades ago). After going through various brands and models, I’m coming back full circle to one of the first iconic designs that started my watch journey. Seems the polar dial is more popular on TRF, and indeed was what initially drew my attention years ago. By chance I was able to view both the white and black dials at a local AD a few weeks ago (what are the chances of that happening with SS models these days, even if it’s preowned). Fully expecting the white dial to blow me away, I actually felt indifferent. Very weird. Went back a few weeks later to try the black dial on, and I definitely felt a stronger connection. Still went back and forth for a few days browsing wrist shots of both dials on Instagram. In the end, it was close, but the black won out. Coming from my 116710LN, I’m blown away by how thin the watch is. The smaller circular indices fit the smaller non-maxi profile perfectly. I can see why so many folks have been so drawn to the 16570/16710/16610/14050 profile. It’s just sexy on the wrist. It helps that the red GMT hand just pops on the black dial. The 16710 coke is also one of my lusted watches, though with skyrocketing prices, that’s sadly not going to be a realistic purchase in the next while. So I’m thoroughly enjoying the red GMT hand on the 16570. The weak spot, as some have noted, is the bracelet. I know many praise it, but I’m just not a fan, sorry. Felt the same on the 114270 I had a few years back (of which the bracelet was one factor for my decision to sell it). And after enjoying the modern bracelet on my 116710LN, I just couldn’t go back to the old style bracelet. I did learn that modern 97200 bracelet fit the 16570 some time back, so that removed the last blocking factor to picking this beauty up. My only grip is that the claps feels too large on the watch (yeah, first world problems...), hopefully I can swap it with a 214270 clasp (if by some miracle I can source it...). Thanks for reading through my rambling. Just really enjoying the piece. Others have posted great photos already, so I’ll offer this shot. I was really surprised to see the crown so easily in the sun today, guess it’s the raised crystal enabling the sun to light it up. Definitely harder to see it on my GMT. Beautiful:
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♛ Rolex GMT-Master II 116710LN ♛ Rolex Explorer II 16570 |
19 May 2019, 08:50 PM | #2293 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London
Watch: 124270
Posts: 534
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The Explorer II Enigma
Quote:
Thanks for your post, and we have similar tastes it seems. I owned a BLNR and must be one of the only crazy fools who tried on a (black) 16570 and just preferred it, pretty much everything about it - from crown to lugs to no rehaut to red hand even to where the main text sits on the face above rather than below on the GMT. But chiefly the weight of the watch and it’s profile just suit my tastes better. So I sold the BLNR after 18 months, for a small profit, and bought a 16570 F series. And love the thing. I regularly feel I want to buy a Polar to compliment it, but whenever I’ve had one on the wrist it just hasn’t appealed to me like the straight up black does. Unlike you though I also like the bracelet and clasp, but regularly change it up with an Everest or a NATO or into leather. As many have noted, the 16570 is a strap monster and literally suits all options. Glad you’re enjoying yours. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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19 May 2019, 09:03 PM | #2294 |
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: New York
Posts: 1,030
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20 May 2019, 03:02 AM | #2295 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Real Name: Bill
Location: USA
Watch: 114270 & 116710LN
Posts: 107
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The Explorer II Enigma
Quote:
I do love leather straps, but with warmer weather, I find often that I’m in between holes. I wish there are the equivalent of an EasyLink or Glidelock to make the strap half a hole looser or tighter. I’ve got buckles that are shorter than the usual, so it gives one a half hole length adjustment. But wish i had something to adjust on-the-fly. Maybe the Everest strap or RubberB where one can fit a buckle on it is the answer? I’ll have to look into that.
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♛ Rolex GMT-Master II 116710LN ♛ Rolex Explorer II 16570 |
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20 May 2019, 03:19 AM | #2296 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 X2 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Real Name: Mike
Location: London
Posts: 3,276
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Black dial is my choice as well over the polar. Congrats. It’s a beauty.
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20 May 2019, 07:04 AM | #2297 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: California
Posts: 14
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My first Rolex is the 216570 in black. I absolutely absolutely love it. Goes everywhere with me. Is the perfect ‘tool watch’ and the perfect balance of modern Rolex with a slightly understated design.
I think with all the love and attention paid to the Polar the black version deserves a nickname, perhaps ‘Grizzly’. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
20 May 2019, 08:24 AM | #2298 |
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Lakeland, FL
Posts: 107
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Is there a special magic trick to swapping the bands? I can't for the life of my get the spring pin back in my hole model explorer?
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23 May 2019, 05:07 PM | #2299 |
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: California
Posts: 14
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28 May 2019, 03:11 PM | #2300 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Florida
Posts: 141
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My new orphaned 3186 explorer m serial 😍😍😍
Love my new to me 3186 polar explorer m serial
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28 May 2019, 04:36 PM | #2301 |
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Uk
Posts: 941
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In the Lake District today
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28 May 2019, 04:50 PM | #2302 |
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: RiCkY
Location: WESTSIDE
Watch: 16520
Posts: 11,043
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Seeing the 16570 Polar gaining some value over the last few months.. It’s about time!!
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Passion for Mechanical Timepieces! IG: @crown_in_oyster_case ~Connecting people through my passion, one timepiece at a time~ |
28 May 2019, 05:49 PM | #2303 |
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: London
Watch: Royal Oak/Tank 18k
Posts: 262
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28 May 2019, 05:53 PM | #2304 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: London
Watch: Royal Oak/Tank 18k
Posts: 262
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1 June 2019, 08:34 AM | #2305 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: The Bahamas
Watch: 116610lv
Posts: 1,035
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Went out on the beach last night to do some stargazing, I could not believe how brightly lit up the lume on my polar was! It had me pretty distracted...
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2 June 2019, 09:09 AM | #2306 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Reno, NV
Watch: Submariner 11610
Posts: 28
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2 June 2019, 09:28 AM | #2307 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: US
Posts: 470
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Took it hiking last weekend
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5 June 2019, 02:35 PM | #2308 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: México
Watch: BLNR
Posts: 544
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5 June 2019, 03:04 PM | #2309 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Philippines
Posts: 450
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Browsing at Kinokuniya
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6 June 2019, 02:15 AM | #2310 |
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Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Illinois
Watch: One I'm wearing!
Posts: 274
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I just got a Polar and love it! Great companion to my black GMT II. I was just wondering what
a fixed black bezel would look like on the Exp II! Maybe even ceramic? |
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