The Explorer II Enigma. Historical Thread

[toastmh]

Love all the Explorer enthusiasts out there. This is a watch I had been eyeing for a very long time and recently picked up my M serial Polar 16570 with 3186 movement. I am so stoked and it hasn't left my wrist since. Time to get out there and explore.

[BMess]

Bump. Let’s see those Explorer IIs

[BNA/LION]

16550 Explorer II

[East of Eden]

I know the polar is supposed to be more popular, I find the black dial much more readable.

[soho]

Originally Posted by BMess

Bump. Let’s see those Explorer IIs

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[SS Oyster]

What Rolex has better lume?




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[Wcdhtwn]

I'm stuck on the Explorer II. Of the two, I think the black looks better on my wrist. But I prefer the look of the white dial and it's much more legible. And that I have a GMT II LN, another black dial GMT seems like a big overlap. Regardless of dial color they are terrific, admittedly I only started appreciating them in the past year or two enough to consider a purchase.

[GrumpyMax]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

I'm stuck on the Explorer II. Of the two, I think the black looks better on my wrist. But I prefer the look of the white dial and it's much more legible. And that I have a GMT II LN, another black dial GMT seems like a big overlap. Regardless of dial color they are terrific, admittedly I only started appreciating them in the past year or two enough to consider a purchase.

I see only whites photos recently... so here's mine black one

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by GrumpyMax

I see only whites photos recently... so here's mine black one

Excellent pic. Totally love this new Explorer in Black as it has full organe hand and gives clean look IMO. I had to go 5 digit Black and 6 digit white for this reason. Someday, I'd like to own this version!!

[B2 Stealth]

Can never have enough GMTs--Sky-Dweller, BLRO, BLNR and ExII. Selling the BLNR but the rest are completely different.
Love the Polar ExII!

[Jmaster]

Love my ExpII even after owning it for 20 years.

[SS Oyster]

Loving mine!



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[soho]

Wearing mine today.




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[the dark knight]

Wow, 15 year old thread. I love seeing these. I guess when thinking about the OP, my thoughts have always been that it's relative. I don't think the Exp II should be thought of as unpopular so much as the Sub and GMT II are extremely popular and are the preferred pick for so many people, esp if it's their first Rolex.

I think buyers will always have a slight bias towards that more classic "Submariner" design with the rotating bezel, which the GMT II also offers.

[GGGMT]

Simply put, it does not get more sick than explorer II




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[coffeebreak]

[StanCho]

It was actually the 1st Rolex I bought and only 3 weeks wait:

[chalkflewup]

Proud new owner of my first Rolex. Polar Explorer II. Loving it!
A very classic, graphic design, minimalist, and the matte stainless give it the design character I love.

[Bob_Loblaw]

15 years

My progression from SARB017 (June 2016), to SARG005, SARB013, Explorer 114270, and Explorer II 16570 (Nov 2019)

Photograph was taken where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses Ebbetts Pass. The pack is the Kelty Tioga I carried the length of California on the PCT in 1979. The 114270 is an acknowledgment of that event. The Polar Explorer II just seemed to complete this particular collection.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by chalkflewup

Proud new owner of my first Rolex. Polar Explorer II. Loving it!
A very classic, graphic design, minimalist, and the matte stainless give it the design character I love.

It just doesn’t get any better. Gets the most wrist. Time by far




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[chalkflewup]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

It just doesn’t get any better. Gets the most wrist. Time by far




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I'll find out soon enough re wrist time. But so far, very much enjoying it. It's more comfortable than I had imagined.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by chalkflewup

I'll find out soon enough re wrist time. But so far, very much enjoying it. It's more comfortable than I had imagined.

This was totally my experience as well. I’m not sure if it’s the fixed bezel or what, but this thing where’s better than my 126610. And the clasp is way better because it’s smaller., though, I realize, it’s not adjustable.


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[DJFanUK]

Picked this piece up last week... So comfortable it's unreal. Can genuinely see this as my constant daily wearer..... Full stop.

[Texasjim]

Super easy watch to wear. Such an underrated tool watch.

[Lew_Ashby]

Big fan of the EXP-II. Purchased my first in June 1987 a white dial 16550 with white gold hour & minute hands and hour markers surrounded by white gold.

A few months later I saw an EXP-II with black hands and the higher contrast dial so promptly sold the former (a mistake but I’m a bit impetuous at times) to buy the latter.

I purchased the updated preference (16570, Cal. 3185); during the 90’s followed by the Cal. 3186 upon their release. I had to buy the new, updated versions each and every time Rolex decided to change the dials and luminescent material…

Then Rolex decided to engrave the rehauts so I had to buy new watches.

While I like my Pepsi GMTs, I believe it's more than fair to say that I am an ExplorerIIphil, but truth be told, I am a Daytonaphile as well.

Cheers!

[dgkula]

Having worn a GMT 2 since 1997, I have never used the rotating bezel to follow a THIRD time zone. I never knew the big difference (besides bezel color) between the GMT and the Explorer was the non-rotating bezel. Maybe I'll check out a recent Explorer as a second Rolex. Thx!

[Tiberius]

Originally Posted by Jmaster

Love my ExpII even after owning it for 20 years.

Beautiful. I've got the black 16570 as well

[AndersB]

I know value prediction is impossible but would still love to hear anyone's opinion on the potential value appreciation of the 16570 with the 3186 movement.
If this has been discussed elsewhere on the Forum - my apologies in advance!

[gerry100]

Suspect my 16570 black will stabilize at current levels and slowly appreciate

[gerry100]

BTW its a 3186 form 2008