The Explorer II Enigma. Historical Thread

[218225]

Done:
Two flights of stairs sanded and 4 coats of paint applied
6 chairs and a dining room table sanded and three coats of lacquer
Five doors sanded and finished with three coats
One hallway sanded and three coats of paint applied
New coat of white wash for the inside of the house

And still need to replace the doorsill for the garage door and some work to do on my girlfriend’s daughter’s bedroom.

Yes it still is a “tool” watchChanged to NATO when I started sanding because the dust is very abrasive


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[coffeebreak]

[Paul7]

Originally Posted by javert34

As for legibility and maintainability, I have had no issues at all. The only issue is that the date can be somewhat hard to make out, depending on the glare, but is suspect that is true for every reference.

The glare on the old ones is easily fixed, a new crystal is only about $100, and has a no-glare cyclops, a real game changer. I had one put on on my 2002 16570, so now it also has the laser etched crown, which BTW does NOT have an 'S' for service as is sometimes claimed here.

[4vCoupe]

Originally Posted by coffeebreak

This makes me regret selling my polar.


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[AFN069]

Hi - My first ever post; I have a 216570 (Black Dial) and adore it and simply love it because it is quirky and it may not come as a surprise that my other Rolex is an Air King (116900) and I love it for the very same reason.......I'm currently after (unsurprisingly) a GMT (116710LN) because I love that boring old Black Dial :-)

[slugworth]

I went to buy a GMT and walked out wearing a 16570. It just spoke to me about adventure. Since then it's been on my wrist chasing the Northern lights and panning for gold in Alaska, several trips to Burning Man, atop a few pyramids in Mexico, knee deep into thick-ass-shoe-grabbing mud in Kawai, Snow-shoeing in the backwoods of the Sierras, star-gazing in the remotes of the desert. After 12 years of Exploring, it still looks great and runs perfectly.

[Dilemma]

My Polar. I'm glad the Explorer II doesn't have the popularity of the Sub for example.

[e dantes]

Originally Posted by slugworth

I went to buy a GMT and walked out wearing a 16570. It just spoke to me about adventure. Since then it's been on my wrist chasing the Northern lights and panning for gold in Alaska, several trips to Burning Man, atop a few pyramids in Mexico, knee deep into thick-ass-shoe-grabbing mud in Kawai, Snow-shoeing in the backwoods of the Sierras, star-gazing in the remotes of the desert. After 12 years of Exploring, it still looks great and runs perfectly.

Looks like you took the Explorer name seriously. Good for you.

I haven’t been as active in the year and a half I have owned mine. Though it did accompany me on a hike across the width of Scotland. They are great go anywhere, do anything watches.




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[David001]

Bad photography, nice watch.

[myporsche]

Sunset riding , perfect companion

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[slugworth]

Originally Posted by e dantes

Looks like you took the Explorer name seriously. Good for you.

I haven’t been as active in the year and a half I have owned mine. Though it did accompany me on a hike across the width of Scotland. They are great go anywhere, do anything watches.




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That's some good mileage!

[lastshotkid]

Originally Posted by Dilemma

My Polar. I'm glad the Explorer II doesn't have the popularity of the Sub for example.

+1 Love mine as well and could care less about its resale value. I have a polar 5 digit right now and have a black with orange 24 hour hand 6 digit on the way.




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[fishingbear]

All these years and still loving this thread

[coffeebreak]

[jamesbondOO7]

[TswaneNguni]

.

[jamesbondOO7]

[jamesbondOO7]

[LPan]

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

Out of your GMT Master2 and Exp2, which do you prefer and why? (If you dont mind me asking). I wore a GMT M2 for years and now own a Exp2 but for the life of me cant remember how my GMT felt in comparison.

[jamesbondOO7]

The Explorer II is the most comfortable watch ever. It was my first additional Rolex after more than 25 years with just one. It was on my radar before the GMT II.
I guess I still prefer it to the GMT II, but the GMT II has the advantage of being 3 watches in one if you have, like I do, the 3 inserts.
But at the end of the day, I think I would let the GMT II go, if I had to, before the Explorer II.

[David001]

Originally Posted by DSJ

I know this has been discussed before, but I thought it might be interesting to revisit.

Of all the SS Sport Rollies out there, the Explorer II (and Explorer, but the focus of this thread is on the II), particularly the black dial, seems to be the least desirable, and hence has the lowest resale value. I bought my slightly used one from my AD at a significant discount from MSRP, and it's fairly common to get TT like discounts on these, which differs from all the other SS Sporties. We see Explorer II's languish in AD's cases and on our For Sale page, often being discounted several times before they sell or are pulled.

The watch is essentially the same as the legacy GMT II's, minus the rotating bezel. It has a sleek and unique profile not seen on other non-Rolex watches, except the Invicta's Rolex-inspired models. It's comfort is among the best of Sports Rollies, and it has the added complication of the 24H hand.

I'd like to see a discussion about TRFers thoughts on why the Explorer II's desirability and resale is lower than that of other Sports models. The longer I own mine, the more I like it, and I can't figure out why it's not more popular

I started a thread recently on this topic but it was locked by a moderator.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=766719

[Nikrnic]

Originally Posted by David001

I started a thread recently on this topic but it was locked by a moderator.



https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=766719

Haha.. That one didn't go far

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[173rdabn]

Love my Explorer II 216570 with black dial. This is number 4. I've had 40 mm black and white as well as a 42 mm Polar. Don't care that it's not terribly popular. I like it and that's all that counts.

[GONZO2LR]

Originally Posted by myporsche

Sunset riding , perfect companion

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are you talking about your Explorer or the rider in front of you?

[jamesbondOO7]

[TopDog2315]

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

Nice, almost the same outfit

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by TopDog2315

Nice, almost the same outfit

Great pics!


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[Aldwyn]

Funny that this thread is still alive after all these years, and how much the popularity and value of the ExpII has changed in that time.

I bought my Exp II (black!) just two years ago, and when I traded it last month, I got what I paid for it in trade. AND they are selling for much more then what I paid for it.

[sambb]

i have one unworn, not sure if i should keep or sell. i look at it and i like it but i never seem to put it on the wrist.

[jamesbondOO7]