My Explorer II 16570 Black dial 😊

[lukko]

Always in love with the Explorer II models in general and I was looking for a nice replica of the 16570. Unfortunately the version that Noob produced is no longer available (if i remember well it was expiried about 10 years ago) and factories are now reluctant to produce this specific version. The only factory that appears to continue producing it appears to be BP, albeit unfortunately in a truly questionable fidelity.



The standard bezel of the current version is well made, but unfortunately the characters and the font are totally wrong. The glass does not have the AR, it has the LEC, but it has an excessive magnification of the cyclops (as you can see in the first QC pic) and the height of its gasket is wrong. I hate the engraved reahut on this model, and unfortunately this one have it. In addition to this the sides of the lugs have excessive polishing on the edge and this is an instant tell because it’s really far away to the GEN, as well as the crown guards.



I’ve bought a gen bezel and an used gen no lec no AR crystal, and then i’ve rework,aged, and deleted reahut of the case



You can see some comparative photos of the "before" and "after" in which the BP stock is always the one on the left while the modified one is on the right.



QC pic of how it was









Case Rework

 

[KJ2020]

Very nice work bro, that looks so much better especially with the gen bezel. Can you post a side profile pic showing the CGs?

Can you tell us if there is a difference in the outside diameter between the gen and BP bezel?

I had a gen of this model, it was my first Rolex. A very nice model and under appreciated I think.

Thanks!

 

[lukko]

Very nice work bro, that looks so much better especially with the gen bezel. Can you post a side profile pic showing the CGs?

Can you tell us if there is a difference in the outside diameter between the gen and BP bezel?

I had a gen of this model, it was my first Rolex. A very nice model and under appreciated I think.

Thanks!

Thanks mate!

The CG’s are quite different from gen also after modding, but a little better. It’s difficult obtain a “square” effect on this case but with gen bezel, different crystal and a bit of modding on the case the result of a “daily” watch it’s really good imho

Please tell me exactly measurement and picture that you need so i can check ;-)

 

[KJ2020]

Thanks mate!

The CG’s are quite different from gen also after modding, but a little better. It’s difficult obtain a “square” effect on this case but with gen bezel, different crystal and a bit of modding on the case the result of a “daily” watch it’s really good imho

Please tell me exactly measurement and picture that you need so i can check ;-)

You maintained the top inside curve on the CGs beautifully, WTG! I've got some BP GMTs that need the same work.

I was just looking for the largest measurement of the outside diameter on the gen bezel to compare to the BP so I can assess the gen fit on the new Ebay 16710/16570 case.

Thanks bro

 

[Feefo]

Nice work and nice piece, congrats! Enjoy in good health!

 

[mmaggi]

Never ceases to amaze some of the beautiful work RWI members are capable of. Wear it in good health.

 

[centrum]

This is beautiful. I love 5-digit Rolexes. Sucks that stock BP 5-digit Rolexes are not great... What would be the most efficient and convenient ways to mod 5 digit Rolexes from BP (i. e. GMT Master 2, Explorer 2s) so that it could at least a little closer to the gens?

 

[lukko]

This is beautiful. I love 5-digit Rolexes. Sucks that stock BP 5-digit Rolexes are not great... What would be the most efficient and convenient ways to mod 5 digit Rolexes from BP (i. e. GMT Master 2, Explorer 2s) so that it could at least a little closer to the gens?

BP it’s a really nice low budget alternative compared to ebay case or vietnam case. So with a bit of modding on the case, a good crystal and a better insert, you’ll have a great daily 16710/16570 with the strong old A2836 ICHS

Never ceases to amaze some of the beautiful work RWI members are capable of. Wear it in good health.

Thanks mate!

Nice work and nice piece, congrats! Enjoy in good health!

Thanks mate! Will do!

You maintained the top inside curve on the CGs beautifully, WTG! I've got some BP GMTs that need the same work.

I was just looking for the largest measurement of the outside diameter on the gen bezel to compare to the BP so I can assess the gen fit on the new Ebay 16710/16570 case.

Thanks bro

Hi mate i’ve take the measuremets but unfortunally my caliper it’s decimal and not centesimal like yours. With mine i’m only able to tell you that the BP bezel it’s between 38.8 and 38.9, and my gen seems to be 38.8.

However this BP case can take gen crystal and gasket, and also as you can see the gen bezel. The ebay case also take all gen parts, but it’s a bit expansive compared to this complete BP watch, but depends what is your budget and kind of project do you want to do

 

[KJ2020]

Hi mate i’ve take the measuremets but unfortunally my caliper it’s decimal and not centesimal like yours. With mine i’m only able to tell you that the BP bezel it’s between 38.8 and 38.9, and my gen seems to be 38.8.

However this BP case can take gen crystal and gasket, and also as you can see the gen bezel. The ebay case also take all gen parts, but it’s a bit expansive compared to this complete BP watch, but depends what is your budget and kind of project do you want to do

OK that's fine bro, tells me what I needed to know. I thought the gen 16570 bezel might be a tad bigger than the BP but apparently not. Thank you!

 

[lukko]

OK that's fine bro, tells me what I needed to know. I thought the gen 16570 bezel might be a tad bigger than the BP but apparently not. Thank you!

I’m happy to help you mate!

I think that this BP it’s a really good for a cheap project compared to VTN or Ebay case

 

[Nur-Uhr]

Your watch and case work looks really good.
Amazing work from your side and great tutorial.

With such a ebay case set - this watch would be an absolute "killer"
So for future plans a possible upgrade and than top notch.

BUT - what you have made of this BP base - amazing.

 

[lukko]

Your watch and case work looks really good.
Amazing work from your side and great tutorial.

With such a ebay case set - this watch would be an absolute "killer"
So for future plans a possible upgrade and than top notch.

BUT - what you have made of this BP base - amazing.

Thanks mate

This BP watch it's a cheap great base to start with.

With a few mods, better crystal & insert you'll find this watch amazing for the price spent.

Ebay case it's a good case, but the price of realese the project in the end will be very high compared to this one

 

[pf78]

agree that BP is a nice base for franken, with the right parts and appropiate mods to the case/bracelet, it's going to look great!
here's mine with gen bezel/dial/hands/datewheel, seller claimed xtal is gen but me and my friends are skeptical about it

 

[lukko]

agree that BP is a nice base for franken, with the right parts and appropiate mods to the case/bracelet, it's going to look great!
here's mine with gen bezel/dial/hands/datewheel, seller claimed xtal is gen but me and my friends are skeptical about it

Yup!

I’ve in project to build another 16570 and maybe a 16710, but actually BP it’s closed for Covid. I need to wait a bit to place a new order.

 

[lukko]

You maintained the top inside curve on the CGs beautifully, WTG! I've got some BP GMTs that need the same work.

I was just looking for the largest measurement of the outside diameter on the gen bezel to compare to the BP so I can assess the gen fit on the new Ebay 16710/16570 case.

Thanks bro

Pictures can’t make justice but today on another BP i’ve finally got the right CG’s front looking. Ptretty excited on this result!

I’ve a BP 16710 also on my and and try to modify it in the same way. Unfortunally on this i’ve tried the “raffles” slim caseback but it’s smaller in theard diameter compared to the stock BP caseback and can’t fit.

Howerver here some pics of CG’s on this last 16570 BP

 

[KJ2020]

Very nice bro! The good thing about the newer batch BP 16570 is you have more material to work with on the CGs.

If you haven't already planned on it, you should try a shorter height crystal gasket. The date mag on these is way too strong. I posted some pics of my gen 16710 DW next to a Clark's with varying gaskets in the Ebay case thread.

2.5mm is what I chose for that case but I always do a custom evaluation with pics next to known benchmark while trying different gaskets.

 

[lukko]

Very nice bro! The good thing about the newer batch BP 16570 is you have more material to work with on the CGs.

If you haven't already planned on it, you should try a shorter height crystal gasket. The date mag on these is way too strong. I posted some pics of my gen 16710 DW next to a Clark's with varying gaskets in the Ebay case thread.

2.5mm is what I chose for that case but I always do a custom evaluation with pics next to known benchmark while trying different gaskets.

Thanks mate, actually i’ve a 2.7 gasket

 

[lukko]

Pretty good results on GMT also about CG's love these batch with more material to rework