The Rolex Explorer II 216570 is a tool watch with amazing lineage as, well, an explorer, and proper contemporary mechanical chops. The steel Explorer II ref 216570 is robust at 42mm in diameter, and features a highly legible dial in either black or white (“polar”) thanks to large Chromalight hour plots and thick hands filled with the same material. One feature that immediately stands out on the ref 216570 is the large, bring orange, 24 hour hand which tracks a second time zone against the 24 hour markings along the bezel. It also makes for a fitting tribute to the original Explorer II ref 1655. Inside the Explorer II 216570 is the in-house Rolex automatic caliber 3187 complete with a Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers and a power reserve of 48 hours. The Rolex Explorer II 216570 is a highly capable modern tool watch and wears like one. Like all serious tools, this one may not be ideal for daily wear, but it’ll be up to any challenge you can throw at it. This watch retails for $8,100 and is generally available pre-owned around $7,000.
Style: Tool
Release date: 2011
