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

  1. #1
    Master JPE's Avatar
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    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/

    Last edited by JPE; 14th August 2019 at 20:37.

  2. #2
    Master TimeThoughts's Avatar
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    Great effort, nice write up and nice images. Thanks.

  3. #3
    Craftsman
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    Enjoyed that thanks.

    One of my favourite Rolex models.

  4. #4
    Journeyman Longwool's Avatar
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    Excellent and informative review, thank you

  5. #5
    Master JPE's Avatar
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    Much thanks guys. Appreciated.

  6. #6
    Master
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    Well done on snagging a great example. :)

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

  7. #7
    Master JPE's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by KingKitega View Post
    Well done on snagging a great example. :)

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

  8. #8
    Journeyman
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    Good review, thanks.

  9. #9
    Master raptor's Avatar
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    Thanks for your time

  10. #10
    Craftsman
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    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 :)

  11. #11
    Grand Master Andyg's Avatar
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    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

    Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
    Friedrich Nietzsche


  12. #12
    Master de30m's Avatar
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    thanks for sharing that, I still regret letting mine go, too ashamed to say what I swapped it with even now after 6 years!

  13. #13
    Master JPE's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Andyg View Post
    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
    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.

  14. #14
    Master JPE's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by de30m View Post
    thanks for sharing that, I still regret letting mine go, too ashamed to say what I swapped it with even now after 6 years!
    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.

  15. #15
    Journeyman
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    excellent review , a lovely looking watch that's definitely currently under the radar .

  16. #16
    Master JPE's Avatar
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    Much thanks.

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

    Last edited by JPE; 27th July 2021 at 01:41.

  17. #17
    Whilst the Polar looks great in original post photo, I think it looks best in reality. A really nice watch and a real keeper.

  18. #18
    Master
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    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?

  19. #19
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by hafle View Post
    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?
    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.

  20. #20
    Master JPE's Avatar
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    Created new wallpaper-style photo composition just for fun.


  21. #21
    Grand Master abraxas's Avatar
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    It is probably the most beautiful watch, ever.

  22. #22
    Master helidoc's Avatar
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    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




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  23. #23
    Craftsman
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    Great read. The 16570 seems to be picking up momentum.

    Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

  24. #24
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by KingKitega View Post
    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.
    Cheers. I just don't get on with cylops.

  25. #25
    I absolutely love mine.


    Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

  26. #26
    Craftsman
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    Good read, thanks for putting the effort in

  27. #27
    Master
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    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.


  28. #28
    Master JPE's Avatar
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    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.




  29. #29
    Master JPE's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Curtis View Post
    Great write up and a beautiful watch, far nicer than the bloated new version.
    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.

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