The Rolex Explorer II stood on the back of the historically significant Rolex Explorer I. Launched in 1971, the Explorer II set out to explore new heights and created its own set of achievements, adding to the already exceptional lore of the Explorer I.
Rolex Explorer II Reference 1655, 16550, 16570 and 216570
The Explorer II explored new features. The first Explorer II model in 1971 had the reference 1655. This model was in production until 1984. It was powered by the caliber 1575 and had a 39mm case size. The short lived reference 16550 went into production from 1985 through1988. It featured a 40mm case and a caliber 3085 inside. However, it introduced the adjustable GMT hand.
The 1988 Explorer II reference 16570 was released with a a date display aperture at the 3 o’clock position with the cyclops lens for easy viewing. It also came with a larger 40mm size, far eclipsing the size of the Explorer 1, which was initially released with only 36mm, grew to 39mm and settled back at 36mm most recently. It was powered by the 3085 movement but eventually was replaced with the 3186 movement in the early 2000’s. The 16570 was in production for an amazing 20 years.
More importantly the Rolex Explorer II, added a Red 24-hour hand with black triangular tip and a fixed bezel with 24-hour graduations, enabling day to be distinguished from night. This allows explorers to either have an easy to read 24 hour clock which matches the day’s 12 hour clock, or it could be used as a GMT function to track a completely separate time zone.
Add to this the new highly visible and large hour markers which are filled with highly luminescent paint. This makes this timepiece far more readable and visible in the pure darkness then the Explorer I. This is how the Rolex Explorer II became the watch of choice for speleologists, volcanologists and polar explorers who need the new visible readouts. Its luminescent blue glow can last hours into the darkness or into the night.
Manufactured for pathfinders of all makes and models from life, the Rolex Explorer II 216570, launched in 2011 at Baselworld, remained authentic to purpose and design, maintaining is position as the perfect accomplice for adventure. It came out with a 2mm larger case – eclipsing the 1971 model with a 42mm case and the 24 hour hand was changed to a bright orange stem with orange tip.
Impelled by a perpetual mechanical self winding in house movement, the 216570 Rolex Explorer II came equipped with powerful parachrom hairspring and paraflex shock absorbers, monobloc middle case, screw down caseback, bidirectional winding crown, and scratch resistant sapphire crystal glass.
Additionally, the Explorer II 216570 had a twinlock double waterproofness system, was waterproof to 330 feet, and included a stop seconds for accurate time setting. It also came with a rapid independent setting for the orange second time zone hand. It was manufactured with 904L steel, and came with either a white or black face.
The New Rolex Explorer II Reference 226570
In 2021 Rolex gave some new life to the Rolex Explorer II by launching the newest version of the timepiece – the Reference 226570 features the new 3285 Caliber with a power reserve of an amazing 70 hours. This model comes with either a white dial or a black dial.
The list price for an Explorer II comes in at a much higher 8550, which is over 2,000 more than the list price for an Explorer I. However, just like most Rolex timepieces, this is just a starting price. Prices for actual Rolex watches have been soaring due to limited supply and huge demand. However, the Explorer II has always been in the shadows of the Daytona, GMT and Submariner timepieces until now. People looking to pick up a stainless steel Rolex are suddenly finding out that the Explorer II is a great value in todays soaring watch market.
Custom Designed Watchbands for the Rolex Explorer II
Rubber B has launched multiple bands for the Rolex Explorer II. Using the key color concepts straight from the dial, Rubber B has multiple coloring options, which incorporate either the black from the black dial, or white from the white dial. They even have an entirely orange band or a multi-colored band that is primarily black with an Orange stripe, matching the 24 hour GMT hand.
As with most of the Classic bands, Rubber B created a bracelet that fit the case perfectly and tightly creating a completely custom and motionless mount to the Rolex Explorer II case.
More recently Rubber B launched a completely new series of bands based on their Swimskin technology that was developed over the past several years. The Swimskin models look and feel like real fabrics, leathers, and other typical materials that look great on watches. However, since Swimskin models are made with pure 100% vulcanized rubber they can survive and thrive in the water or during athletic endeavors since it repels water and sweat naturally. For more information about the many bracelet options for the Rolex Explorer II, visit our page here.
