The Explorer II Enigma. Historical Thread

[MCO1]

It is a great watch....I have owned a Polar and will again someday. I think its perceived lack of popularity is legacy. Whereas the Explorer, Sub and GMT have the adventure legacy of the 1950's and of course the Daytona....well is the Daytona. The Explorer II kind of came late to the race and has been trying to catch up since. I think the Yachtmaster kind of falls into similar territory. Nothing wrong with them, beautiful watches they just don't have the following. My two cents worth.

[gonzo90]

I just picked up a new style Polar a few weeks ago. One of the main reasons I bought it was the combination of the white dial on a sport watch. I also feel it is a bargain compared to the pricing of other pre-owned Rolex models. Mine was a corporate prize given to a guy that was not into watches. It was purchased new in December of 2016 and was like new in the box with all the goodies. I paid the guy $2000 less than the suggested retail price in the US. If this was a Sub he could have sold it for almost for the same as new. Owning an Explorer II is like a being a member of a secret society inside a larger secret society.

[LGR2017]

I have a 216570 in Black and have been wearing it everyday since Xmas. It's a great watch. I have always thought the brushed bezel fits in an office setting better than a Sub or GMT. In terms of popularity, I hope it remains less popular - keeping it under the radar and only noticeable by true enthusiasts.

[ullmandds]

Just got mine today...2010 w/3186.

[travellingbrit]

288k views ! Love my exp11

[dnill]

For me, and many others here, the explorer is THE utility watch. I also like the fact that it's a bit more stealth and
not as instantly recogniseable as a few other rolex models.
And of course the GMT hand, a nice extra feature.

Here's mine, a random serial:
[/IMG]

/ David

[ullmandds]

i was misinformed...mine is a 2007/08 but did pass the wiggle test!!!!

[joe100]

Figured I'd add my R serial 16550 into this legend of a thread.

[puckbw11]

Do 16570 polar owners find that the ExpII wears well even when wearing a suit/sport coat? Can't decide if it's white face and steel bezel make it more acceptable than, say, a sub for more formal business attire or if it is more casual.


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[joe100]

It's still very casual. If you need a dress watch, I'd look elsewhere and on leather

[oldsalt]

I wear mine every couple of days... still love it...it was my first Rolex and as such has a lot of memories attached to it... it's a keeper.

cheers

[530ExplorerII]

Originally Posted by puckbw11

Do 16570 polar owners find that the ExpII wears well even when wearing a suit/sport coat? Can't decide if it's white face and steel bezel make it more acceptable than, say, a sub for more formal business attire or if it is more casual.


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I found that the white face pops a bit too much. Works great with tan or lighter colors, but I go BLNR when wearing black, blue or charcoal.


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[Quailhunter]

To me, the EXP II looks like the poor step sister to the BLNR..with a spiffed up rotating bexil,that watch should sell.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by Quailhunter

To me, the EXP II looks like the poor step sister to the BLNR..with a spiffed up rotating bexil,that watch should sell.

Lol. You don't even say GMT but you said BLNR and that watch came after every Explorer II

[puckbw11]

Originally Posted by joe100

It's still very casual. If you need a dress watch, I'd look elsewhere and on leather

Thanks! I have a dress watch, but it's a Junghans Max Bill and not really the same caliber as a Rolex. I'm looking for a great all-arounder.


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[joe100]

Originally Posted by puckbw11

Thanks! I have a dress watch, but it's a Junghans Max Bill and not really the same caliber as a Rolex. I'm looking for a great all-arounder.


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Aqua Terra or OP39 in that case

[mahefa]

Nice lume :)

[G-Web]

Originally Posted by joe100

Figured I'd add my R serial 16550 into this legend of a thread.

What a beauty Joe! One of my all time favorites.
-GW

[capote]

Originally Posted by puckbw11

Do 16570 polar owners find that the ExpII wears well even when wearing a suit/sport coat? Can't decide if it's white face and steel bezel make it more acceptable than, say, a sub for more formal business attire or if it is more casual.


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I usually do, but obviously it doesn't look right wearing a sport Rolex with a suit. It doesn't look better or worse than a Submariner for example IMO though.

[chris242]

dropped mine off at RSC Beverly Hills on the 12th of may, can't wait to get it back on my wrist!


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[Ericmo13]

Mine was also my first Rolex and I'll never get rid of it. It's a great watch and super tough. I can't say anything that hasn't been said yet in this awesome thread.

[173rdabn]

Had a black dial 214270. I really liked it until I traded it for a 214270 polar. It's absolutely perfect and much easier to see with "older eyes"

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by 173rdabn

Had a black dial 214270. I really liked it until I traded it for a 214270 polar. It's absolutely perfect and much easier to see with "older eyes"

Would love to see pic of that 214270 Polar!

J/k. Which one you got? 5 digit or 6-digit polar?

[breitlings]

a new nickname "the enigma machine"?

[chris242]

Originally Posted by breitlings

a new nickname "the enigma machine"?

what are some nicknames out there for the black dial exp2?

[joe100]

Originally Posted by chris242

what are some nicknames out there for the black dial exp2?

NO!

So far the Explorer 2 black dial 16550, 16570, and 216570 have escaped nicknames, lets leave it that way

[NLYogi]

Originally Posted by joe100

NO!

So far the Explorer 2 black dial 16550, 16570, and 216570 have escaped nicknames, lets leave it that way

Blaxplorer

[SeeDweller]

What I most want is an M series (2008-10) white-dialed 16570. It's got the Rehaut ring under the crystal, and the 3186 mvt. I have plenty of black-dialed sports Rolexes, both for using and wearing and vintage collecting . . . but have always wanted a white Explorer II.
...***. Anyone have a lead on a clean M series 16570?? ***
Write directly to my phone, as I'm out of town, and getting pressured to buy something here (on vacation in a touristy spot...). rbmiller1@mac.com. Thanks!!

[Portland]

Originally Posted by BobMiller

What I most want is an M series (2008-10) white-dialed 16570. It's got the Rehaut ring under the crystal, and the 3186 mvt. I have plenty of black-dialed sports Rolexes, both for using and wearing and vintage collecting . . . but have always wanted a white Explorer II.
...***. Anyone have a lead on a clean M series 16570?? ***
Write directly to my phone, as I'm out of town, and getting pressured to buy something here (on vacation in a touristy spot...). rbmiller1@mac.com. Thanks!!

Sorry Bob, I think I just nabbed the most recently available M serial (3186) from one of our fantastic trusted sellers here on TRF. I hope you find one sir! I did not buy mine from DavidSW however as of yesterday he had an M and a V serial (both white dial) available so you may want to give him a call before they sell.

It took me almost 4 days of intermittent reading when I had a spare minute, but I read every comment on this thread. What a cool thread. I love to see the enthusiasm that people have for this watch. I feel blessed to be part of such an outstanding community here on TRF. Seeing as how this thread just hit its 9 year anniversary, I hope it keeps going strong on for another 9 years!

Here's a sneak peak at what I have incoming in a couple of days. Can't wait!

[waikeekee]

Can any kind soul tell me the difference?

I have a 16570 EXP II Polar as picture. On original bracelet and a RubberB Polar white rubber strap.







It has a 3186 movement, engraved rehaut and the serial is at the 6 o'clock position. However, the serial number starts with "G". Among friends, I was told this is the last of 16570 before they changed to the 6 digits 215670 42MM version. Oh! I bought this back in 2009.

My questions:

1) Is my a G series?
2) Why is the M or V so sorted after?



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