Rolex Explorer 2 Story...

The history of the Rolex Explorer II begins in the early 1970s, a time when man pushes the limits of exploration: Space, the depths of the ocean, the bowels of the Earth, no exploratory track n t is neglected and above all, economic development obliges, society opens to travel... For the greatest number, it is the discovery of new horizons and the opportunity to practice new sports, to discover new elements.  .. La Planète offers wonderful and unique playgrounds for those who are new to scuba diving, hang-gliding, windsurfing, the glaciers of the Far North, the slopes of the Himalayas, Etna and the speleological cavities of the depths of the Earth... Man in 1970 pushes back the frontiers of his possibility.

And it is in this context, which rhymes with new territories, that Rolex, in 1971, will offer a new model of watch to modern-day adventurers: The Rolex Explorer II reference 1655, a useful and elegant watch, robust and readable whatever the situation in which its owner finds himself. The Explorer II is designed to meet the demands of those who travel across different time zones or in total darkness lose track of time (such as on an underwater or caving expedition), for this purpose a needle additional schedule, adjustable independently, allows interpretation. The orange arrow hand (which gave it the name Freccione) reports a time zone in GMT format in a 24-hour format, indicating day and night on the graduations of its fixed bezel. The black dial with white inscriptions is enriched with luminescent Tritium indexes (indicated by the words “T Swiss T” at the bottom of the dial). For local time tracking, two long white hands with a black base indicate the hours and minutes, the seconds are indicated by a thin lollipop-type hand.

 It should be noted that another nickname is given to the Rolex 1655 by the community of collectors: Explorer 2 Steve McQueen: The famous actor, a great lover of Rolex, towards the end of his career wore one regularly. A living icon of "chic and good taste", the "King of Cool" has given it the touch of elegance that allows it to be considered the ideal "Casual-Business" watch. 39 mm case with waterproof screwed crown and back, benefiting from the most recent Rolex innovations, the 1665 will prove to be particularly legible and robust. Its 26-jewel Rolex Caliber 1575 GMT shock-resistant movement is distinguished by an operation of 19,800 vibrations per hour, a power reserve of 48 hours and an official chronometer certification by the COSC. A date window magnified by a cyclops lens inserted into the Plexiglas glass completes the information available to its user. Important precision, from the year 1972, the caliber 1575 GMT will be equipped with the Stop-seconds function to be able to adjust or synchronize to the second close to an indicated time. With this watch, Rolex will not only think outside the box but give a horological face to adventure and travel.

In 1971 Rolex upgraded the Explorer 2 model with the reference 16570. A breakthrough that would

confirm the success of the model: It was first of all a search for unfailing robustness that was to designate the movement of this highly anticipated watch: the Caliber Rolex 3185 GMT, with 31 jewels, automatic winding and displaying the date (with rapid adjustment), A reliable and resistant movement which also equips the GMT Master II reference 16710, chronometer-certified by the COSC of Geneva, it has a reserve of fifty-hour walk and operates at a speed of 28,800 vibrations per hour. Always with the same concern for performance and reliability, the movement of the 16570 will evolve in 2005 with the Caliber Rolex 3186.

Movement developed on an evolution of the Rolex caliber 3135, it is equipped with an adjustable balance wheel, and is capable of absorbing shocks. The 40 mm case in 904L Oystersteel, a comfortable and silky metal with hypoallergenic and anti-magnetic properties, guarantees constant reliability whatever the environment in which its owner evolves. Very readable dial in 12 and 24 hours, thin red time zone hand, with independent notched adjustment for a time zone display on a fixed 24-hour graduated bezel, larger in size than the previous model. The sapphire crystal protects the surface from scratches and a cyclops lens magnifies the window indicating the date.
The Triplock diving-type winding crown, protected by a shoulder, reinforces the water-resistance capabilities of this watch, given it can withstand immersion to 100 meters. The robust and compact case of the Explorer II 16570, with a height of 11 mm, allows it to be worn close to the body, while avoiding, using a fixed bezel glued to the case, the protruding edges of the rotating bezels available on Rolex Diving models such as the Submariner or the GMT Master II, which are likely to easily scratch fragile surfaces.

Finally, the 16570 sees its steel bracelet evolve: Adjustable and large in size, it is always possible to change the diameter of the wrist circumference by adding or removing links, but a new adjustable folding clasp is fitted with a anti-opening device that prevents accidental opening. The folding clasp is also equipped with an extender (extendable at any time without requiring the use of a tool) allowing the user to use it above professional equipment. It should nevertheless be noted that its modest dimensions allow it to be worn discreetly under a shirt sleeve, which promotes safety when traveling in "sensitive" areas, an important criterion which has given it the preference of travelers. and international journalists.

But it would be incomplete to talk about the Rolex 16570 without mentioning the real alternative evolution of the Explorer II: A dial with a white background which will give this version referenced 16570-001 under the designation Rolex Explorer II White Tritium the nickname of Rolex Explorer II "Polar" (then during the evolution of the luminescent material the reference 16570-003 Superluminova, the reference 16750-002 being reserved for the black dial version "Black Tritium", black dial version which by exception to the range becomes the second model reference). A detail that meant a lot to Rolex but went unnoticed at the time. Based on the experience of an observation from the aeronautical world on the effort of visual acuity required to read a dial with a black background in the dark moments of dawn or dusk... A moment when fatigue sets in and which is conducive to accidents and adventures of all kinds… Rolex will revolutionize a watch market traditionally oriented towards black or dark dials towards an alternative yet simple which evokes the approach borrowed from the anecdote on the egg of Christopher Columbus. The ease of readability of a white dial and the security it provides are instantly integrated by professional users... Navigator and exploration watches will no longer have the same appearance. A clear, legible and contrasting appearance that has since proven itself and that we find, success obliges, in the catalog of all the major watch manufacturers and on the wrists of many personalities.

Ultimate evolution of the Rolex range, it is first by an extension to 42 mm for the size of the case that the model Explorer II "Freccione Maxi-Dial" ref 216570-0002 evolves when arriving on the market in 2011. Look at its origins (the collector's model 1665 Steve McQueen Freccione.), it finds the orange GMT hand of its origins, it also retains its model with a white dial type "16570 Polar Dial" which retains the rank of first model reference (216570-0001) confirming, if necessary, the success met by this alternative version. The watch produced by Rolex since April 2011 in a black dial version takes the name Rolex Explorer II Stainless Steel/Black.



This new evolution is developed around the Rolex Caliber 3187 GMT, a self-winding movement with date, which true to its lineage is chronometer-certified by the Geneva COSC. The non-magnetic movement of this watch, an evolution of the caliber 3185, is equipped with a balance wheel with a fine adjustment device, a blue Parachrom hairspring and a Paraflex shock absorber. The screw-down case is water resistant to 100 m, it is made of 904L Oystersteel with a brushed satin finish.

The dial is still just as legible and uses the 12- and 24-hour layout that made the model such a success. The large orange Freccione time zone hand is independently adjustable and quickly corrected by means of its winding crown, a patented device with double waterproofness called “Twinlock” itself protected by a double shoulder on the side of the case.

The water resistance of this watch, which has a power reserve of fifty hours, is given for 100 meters. The scratch-resistant and anti-reflective sapphire crystal features a cyclops magnifying glass which magnifies the day designated by the date window.

Finally, the adjustable and adjustable bracelet by adding or removing links as well as its Easylink folding clasp adjustable without tools and with comfort extension and anti-opening device complete the safety of use of this watch eager for discoveries, raids and adventures