- 9/7/12
- 24,618
- 22,760
- 113
This is the first 16570 build I've done using a gen' spec' case and genuine parts, so it deserves a thread I think.
There have been a few variations of the Rolex Explorer II over the years. The first model, the 1655, was introduced in 1971. This was replaced by the ref' 16550 in 1985. The 16570 was introduced in 1989 and stayed in production for 22 years, till 2011.
Created as a watch specifically for spelunkers, the Explorer II design is function over form. The lack of natural daylight in caves makes it impossible to tell whether it is day or night, which is why Rolex added the 24-hour hand and fixed bezel.
Whilst the 1655 model was not intended to be a travel watch, the 16570 introduced an independent GMT hand that made the Explorer II an efficient dual time zone watch.
The 16550 also introduced the two dial options - the black or the white (Polar) dial. The 16570 used the new caliber 3185 movement, with a small change to the polar dial. By replacing the silver with black hands and indice borders Rolex greatly improved the legibility of the white dial.
The 16570 had tritium dials until around 1999, after which Rolex began to use Luminova. These models were printed with 'Swiss Made' on the bottom of the dial at 6 o’clock. The 16750 cases exist with both drilled and non drilled lugs, depending on the year of production.
The specs' on this build:
Reworked gen' spec' case from Vietnam
Genuine dial.
Genuine crystal.
Genuine bezel ring.
Genuine crown and tube.
VR3186
WSO hand set.
Cartel bracelet.
Thanks for looking.
There have been a few variations of the Rolex Explorer II over the years. The first model, the 1655, was introduced in 1971. This was replaced by the ref' 16550 in 1985. The 16570 was introduced in 1989 and stayed in production for 22 years, till 2011.
Created as a watch specifically for spelunkers, the Explorer II design is function over form. The lack of natural daylight in caves makes it impossible to tell whether it is day or night, which is why Rolex added the 24-hour hand and fixed bezel.
Whilst the 1655 model was not intended to be a travel watch, the 16570 introduced an independent GMT hand that made the Explorer II an efficient dual time zone watch.
The 16550 also introduced the two dial options - the black or the white (Polar) dial. The 16570 used the new caliber 3185 movement, with a small change to the polar dial. By replacing the silver with black hands and indice borders Rolex greatly improved the legibility of the white dial.
The 16570 had tritium dials until around 1999, after which Rolex began to use Luminova. These models were printed with 'Swiss Made' on the bottom of the dial at 6 o’clock. The 16750 cases exist with both drilled and non drilled lugs, depending on the year of production.
The specs' on this build:
Reworked gen' spec' case from Vietnam
Genuine dial.
Genuine crystal.
Genuine bezel ring.
Genuine crown and tube.
VR3186
WSO hand set.
Cartel bracelet.
Thanks for looking.
