Review of Rolex Explorer II 16570 "Polar" (my new purchase)

I got this just recently. D-serial 2005.

Enjoy the writeup guys.

https://luxurywatches635.wordpress.com/2019/08/14/1270/

https://luxurywatches635.files.wordp...erial_2005.jpg

Great effort, nice write up and nice images. Thanks.

Enjoyed that thanks.

One of my favourite Rolex models.

Excellent and informative review, thank you

Much thanks guys. Appreciated.

Well done on snagging a great example. :)

Probably the best value Rolex out there, and so distinctive with the white dial.

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Originally Posted by KingKitega

Well done on snagging a great example. :)

Probably the best value Rolex out there, and so distinctive with the white dial.

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Indeed. The prices have increased, yes. But you can still get these for 4K (euros).

I bet people complain in 10 years why they didn't grab their favorite 5-digits when they were still "cheap".

Just like I'm pissed off because I didn't buy the 5513 and 1675 while the prices were still reasonable.

Good review, thanks.

Thanks for your time

I sold mine to fund another watch and never thought I'd miss it as much as I do :(

As others have said, great write up, will most likely become a classic in the future :)

Interesting review, however you missed the transistion between the 1655 and the 16570, which was the 16550. A very interesting watch simply because of the number of Dials, bezels, handsets variations which were used during its production run.

These are great watches. I am wearing my 1982 16550 Black Rail Dial as I type this :eagerness:

thanks for sharing that, I still regret letting mine go, too ashamed to say what I swapped it with even now after 6 years!

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Originally Posted by Andyg

Interesting review, however you missed the transistion between the 1655 and the 16570, which was the 16550. A very interesting watch simply because of the number of Dials, bezels, handsets variations which were used during its production run.

These are great watches. I am wearing my 1982 16550 Black Rail Dial as I type this :eagerness:

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Thanks man. Yeah I indeed forgot that transitional model.

I updated the review and added a link to this version (and also a link to my friend's old review of 216570).

Cheers. And thanks, all. I'm really enjoying this watch a lot.

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Originally Posted by de30m

thanks for sharing that, I still regret letting mine go, too ashamed to say what I swapped it with even now after 6 years!

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I had this too back in 2007. Then I felt it was "too small" (probably after wearing Breitlings a lot).

I sold my ExpII to purchase a TT Sub "Bluesy" 16613. While that was a great watch I never felt comfortable with the gold.

I regretted that trade for 10 years and I always wanted the "Polar" back. Now I bought it back and it will never again leave my collection.

excellent review , a lovely looking watch that's definitely currently under the radar .

Much thanks.

It doesn't wear "too small" unless you put it on right after Breitling SteelFish or Avenger.

https://luxurywatches635.files.wordp...shot_expii.jpg

Whilst the Polar looks great in original post photo, I think it looks best in reality. A really nice watch and a real keeper.

Always wanted one, never got around to it. Is there a non-cyclops crystal available for this model, like can be done with the 5 digit submariners?

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Originally Posted by hafle

Always wanted one, never got around to it. Is there a non-cyclops crystal available for this model, like can be done with the 5 digit submariners?

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I think it can be done independently. There was a black dial 16570 on SC earlier this year that officially had the crystal replaced with one without the cyclops.

Created new wallpaper-style photo composition just for fun.

http://luxurywatches635.files.wordpr...er_expii-2.jpg

It is probably the most beautiful watch, ever.

Excellent piece of work, and a lovely watch.

My (black) 16570 is a firm favourite that I will never sell. These do look small in pictures, and in my watch box with a Sub next to it, but on the wrist it is just perfect. I think I want to add a polar now!


Dave




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Great read. The 16570 seems to be picking up momentum.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by KingKitega

I think it can be done independently. There was a black dial 16570 on SC earlier this year that officially had the crystal replaced with one without the cyclops.

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Cheers. I just don't get on with cylops.

I absolutely love mine.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...08884bbf43.jpg

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Good read, thanks for putting the effort in

Do you remember this Rolex ad? Perhaps - apart from the white dial - this is where the Polar tag came from.

Commander Chris Furse (coincidentally, schoolmate of my uncle and father of two of my own schoolfriends) spent a fair part of his Royal Navy career on Polar expeditions. He died last year.

https://ebid.s3.amazonaws.com/upload...5-25898-36.jpg

I didn't know that. I know that Rolex has always used mountains, arctic landscapes and all that stuff in their 16570 advertising. And usually it was always the white version, not black.

https://storage.googleapis.com/pubza...ex_5851096.jpg

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bveWdtlTa...magazne-ad.jpg

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Originally Posted by Curtis

Great write up and a beautiful watch, far nicer than the bloated new version.

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The new 216570 is actually pretty nice watch. It's the orange XL 24-hour hand that kills it for me. That is not aesthetically pleasing at all.