Brand
Rolex Explorer II 16570 With Black Luminova Dial
Rolex released the Explorer II ref. 1655 in 1971, and it was designed with polar surveyors, spelunkers, and adventurers in mind. One of the defining features of this reference is the orange 24-hour hand. That first Explorer II is often referred to as the "Steve McQueen," although the validity of the nickname is often debated, as the actor was more often photographed wearing a Submariner. In the mid 1980s, Rolex updated its Explorer II and introduced the ref. 16550. In a departure from the 1655, this five-digit predecessor is distinctive with a sapphire crystal, white gold surrounded hour markers, and glossy dial. Only offered by the brand for around four years, the ref. 16550 is one of the least commonly seen watches from Rolex in the 1980s.
The third generation Rolex Explorer II hit the catalog in 1989 under the reference number of 16570 and settled in for a 22-year run until 2011. Offered in both a black and white "polar" dial, the GMT-equipped ref. 16570 has quickly become one of the more collectible Rolex models of this era over the past couple of years. The fanfare is long overdue for these great watches.
The ref. 16570 is a stripped down, no-frills sport watch that Rolex really just doesn't make anymore. These Explorer IIs have all the modern reliability of a watch from the 1990s and 2000s but are sized at a more classic 40mm in an Oyster case that's much more 1970s than it is 2000s in its proportions. This is a good thing, arguably a great thing. The ref. 16570 is one of the last Rolex sport watches to be comfortably sized for nearly all wrist sizes.
As it was offered from 1989 to 2011, the ref. 16570 Explorer II spans the switch at the Crown from tritium luminous material to LumiNova. Earlier examples will patina as though they are a vintage watch while later, after roughly 1997, the numerals, hour markers, and hands will remain stark white.
This particular Rolex Explorer II ref. 16570 is a LumiNova example and is in excellent overall pre-owned condition, indicating that there are visible signs of wear on the case, bracelet, crystal, or dial. The case has been professionally refinished. There are a few visible scratches on the bezel between 5 and 7 o'clock. The dial and hands are in excellent condition with no major flaws to note. During our quality control check, any necessary adjustments are made to ensure the watch is functioning as intended. The case is marked with the reference number "16570" and with the case number "A597XXX" between the lugs at six and 12 o'clock, respectively.
The solid-link Rolex 78790 bracelet is in very good condition with signs of polishing on the clasp; the solid end-links are in matching condition. The clasp is marked "X9," indicating it's from September 1999. The end-links are marked "501 B." The dial, crown, movement, caseback, and bracelet are all signed by Rolex.
In 1905, a watchmaker named Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis set up shop as Wilsdorf and Davis in London. In 1908, this company would officially register the name Rolex, and by 1915, they had relocated the brand to Switzerland, where the headquarters remain to this day. Rolex has notched countless firsts in watchmaking, such as the chronometer-certified wristwatch and the first cased wristwatch with water resistance up to 100 meters. The brand also became a ubiquitous force in our culture on the wrist of countless celebrities and as the official timekeeper of numerous sporting events.
