The Rolex Explorer II reference 16570 is one of the longest lived, and most beloved tools to come out of the crown in the modern era. Production on this reference began in the late ‘80s, and wrapped with the introduction of the 216570 in 2011. This Explorer II enjoys much of the charm of old world Rolex, along with some of the benefits of modern Rolex. The 16570 is beloved to this day thanks to its proportions, which are 39.5mm in diameter and about 12mm in thickness and tapered case walls, make it perfect for daily wear. Like all Explorer II watches, this makes use of a 24 hour hand which tracks a second time zone along the 24 hour bezel markings. The ref 16570 features an in-house Rolex automatic movement, later models coming with the caliber 3185. This reference can be had with either black or white (“polar”) dial colors, the later featuring contrasting black hands and hour surrounds. The Rolex Explorer II 16570 is a watch many see as a future classic due to its charm and ease of wear. Pre-owned examples are currently trading between $5,000 and $6,000.
Style: Tool
Release date: 1989
