ROLEX EXPLORER II NOIRE Ref: 216570

Recently helped a friend to pick up a Rolex Explorer II Ref:216570 black dial.
He was kind enough to let me keep the watch for 2 days just to photograph the watch and also get a general feel of the watch for a simple review.

The watch, Rolex Explorer II Ref:216570

Case size have been upped from the previous 40mm to 42mm now.
Guess there's no turning back from the "watches getting bigger" trend.

The dial is expertly done. Usual Rolex standards.
Glossy dial, Maxi... or should I say "Super Maxi" markers and hands since it's even bigger then the Maxi Submariner and GMTIIc.
It does look proportionate to the 32mm dial size I must say.
The splash of orange on the Freccione 24 hour hand pays homage to the Rolex Ref:1665
Likewise to the Explorer II font, also done in orange.
Very much welcomed and it looks good.
Movement powering this watch is the caliber 3187.
Blue parachrom spring.
Unlike other manufacturers that like to stuff small movements into huge cases, Rolex actually upsized the existing 3186 movement and called it caliber 3187 just for this watch.
With the 3186 being as robust as it is, I can imagine the 3187 being more so since tolerance levels is less rigid if the movement is bigger. (That's just my opinion)

The bezel is sunburst brushed with 24 hour markings.
Bezel is fixed, non rotatable.
Black filled fonts on the bezel cavity looks fat and clear. Highly legible.

The crown is the Rolex Twin lock crown.
Similar to the one found on the Milgauss.
Water resistance rated to 10atm or 100m / 330ft
My friend was really lucky to have a watch that the crown lined up when screwed in. Cool!!
In my ownership experience of my Rolexes, none of them lines up.
They should be standard IMHO.

Bracelet is the usual oyster bracelet with solid links.
Measures 21mm form the lug side to 16mm to the buckle side.
By upsizing the bracelet on the lug side, and also not using the chunky lugs found on the Submariner Ceramic and GMTIIc, the case now looks more in flow with the bracelet.
It also features the easylink extension for those hot and humid days.

The watch does have a bigger wrist presence due to the case upsize.
When worn, it hugs snugly... the flatter caseback helps.
Some side by side shot with my Submariner Ceramic.

Here's a customary wristshot.
Overall, the watch is really beautiful, perfect for daily wear.
With the design moving away from the previous iteration ref: 16570 which is akin to a GMTII minus the rotatable bezel.
Now with a bigger case, differrent 24 hour hand, movement that is exclusive to this model, it can finally stand on it's own.

ROLEX EXPLORER II "POLAR" REF:16570

This is the 1st luxury watch I got for my Dad.
I have since upgraded a new one for him (that's for another post)

The Rolex Explorer II ref:16570
This is considered by most to be a stealth Rolex.
Which when worn, is mostly unrecognized as a Rolex from afar.
I true tool watch that is meant to be worn.

Rolex market this watch for cave explorers or spelunkers so that the red GMT hand is to differentiate between night and day.
But most will use it as a 2nd time zone indicator.
The Sunburst brushed 24 hour bezel carries a toolish look.
Movement being fitted to this particular watch (M Serial) is actually a Caliber 3186... which is the exact same movement found in the more expensive Rolex GMT Master II Ceramic ref:116710LN.
Caliber 3186 also comes with the Rolex developed hairspring called the "Parachrom Blu Spring"
Advantage wise is that this hairspring is practically impervious to magnetic fields.

I actually bought the watch for myself as my 1st Rolex but decided to give it to my dad as he liked the legibility of the black hands on a white dial.
During my brief time with the watch, I find it comfortable to wear.
Although this watch was currently upgraded to the new ref:216570 which got upsized to 42mm and an Orange GMT hand, this version is still pretty popular... although tastes and trends may come and go.
It remains as the Rolex that introduced me to the brand and ultimately it's watches and history.

Something worth noting is that besides the Daytona and the Milgauss, this is the only other sports / professional model that have a choice of either black or white dial.
I find that the white dial works more for this particular model as the black is too close in similarity with GMTII.

I believe at the current going prices for this piece, it is easily the best bang for the buck Rolex sports model out there.
You are getting a movement which is robust and proven, a new one that is fitted with the GMTII, and costs way less.
It's stealthy and it doesn't scream Rolex.
Since I have upgraded my Dad's watch... this one is currently on the chopping block.
Will I miss it? Probably will... but there are others calling out my name and something have just gotta go.
Unfortunate that it is this one.