I got my '99 16570 in 2016, before the huge price hike. It was the most expensive watch I bought at the time, and my first 'serious' rolex (I had a 6694 which I sold a couple of years previously) so I thought it would be a special occasion watch. In the end it became the watch I wear most of the time since then. It's comfortable, legible, and can be worn with anything.
Same thing happened with me, traded my 216570 for the old 16570, never looked back. As much as I like the 6 digit Explorer II bracelet, it wore like a dinner plate on my wrist whereas the 5 digit fits perfectly.
Yeh, I keep coming back to the newer ExpII but I just can't get on with the size I like aspects like the orange hand and the newer bracelet, but these days my entire rolex collection are 5 digit tritium!
Yup, I daily one of these in black dial. Nice and low key, and actually useful as I do fly a lot. Don't like the new one, way to large, may as well wear Sub or Seamaster at that size. I have a large wrist and do wear dive watches, but it's just nice to have something low key on when I visit customers rather than a, "look how much money I am making from you", watch!
Totally agree, I find the new Rolexes too ostentatious. These older models are subtler and more inconspicuous on the wrist. But to those that know, they're still a flex
I also have an Explorer II 16570 (black dial) and my wrist is 6 1/2 inches. I removed one link on the longer side and the clasp now sits close to center. I think with a little patience at adding or removing links, in conjunction with utilizing the micro-adjusting capability of the clasp itself, it should be possible to end up with a nearly centered clasp. BTW, this is my fourth Rolex, joining two Datejusts and a 39 mm Explorer I MKII reference 214270, and although I love them all, I think the Explorer II will become my favorite. Just a perfect mix of style and function.
This is a well known issue for the 16570 where the 6oclock side of the bracelet doesn’t allow you to remove enough links. There are too many permanent links. You can get this changed to better center the clasp. Google Rolliworks. They do something like a mini surgery to correct for this.
Good question. As someone who has a 6.25 inch wrist I had to get a permanent link removed (can be retrofitted) by a professional Rolex watchmaker to get that clasp centred on my wrist. To be honest, it the wonky clasp annoyed me immensely for a few weeks.
Love the watch. Do you feel safe in wearing in london as your daily? Ever where it on another strap to avoid unwanted attention even more? I know it looks good on a nato.
I love it on a nato, particularly a green one! Yeh, I tend to avoid rolex altogether in London and grab my Breitling Aerospace instead. But, sometimes I can't resist sticking it on.
Hi there, it's a 1996/1997. I didn't get on with the black bay as I found it too thick, I also didn't love the faux patina on the dial. For the thickness I thought 200m water resistance was pretty bad. I love the look of the watch though, and I like it on a bracelet. Although those fake rivets on the bracelets are terrible
Mate, focus the camera on the watch, not your face. Literally all of your videos showcase your face with small clips of the watches. What's the point? I can't watch. Sorry.
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I just picked up a black 16570 explorer 2 last week and I agree with everything you’ve said. It’s low key and perfect daily over my omegas as well
I got my '99 16570 in 2016, before the huge price hike. It was the most expensive watch I bought at the time, and my first 'serious' rolex (I had a 6694 which I sold a couple of years previously) so I thought it would be a special occasion watch. In the end it became the watch I wear most of the time since then. It's comfortable, legible, and can be worn with anything.
thoroughly enjoyed your review, particularly your thoughts on the Explorer II vs. GMT-Master. keep it up!
Thank you Jim, that's really kind!
The polar is the best choice. Bravo.
I got the same price as yours, great review and opinion.
Thanks a lot, I think they are good value when compared to the GMTs and modern rolexes! Wear yours in good health
Same thing happened with me, traded my 216570 for the old 16570, never looked back. As much as I like the 6 digit Explorer II bracelet, it wore like a dinner plate on my wrist whereas the 5 digit fits perfectly.
Yeh, I keep coming back to the newer ExpII but I just can't get on with the size
I like aspects like the orange hand and the newer bracelet, but these days my entire rolex collection are 5 digit tritium!
Great review and thoughts 👏
Yup, I daily one of these in black dial. Nice and low key, and actually useful as I do fly a lot. Don't like the new one, way to large, may as well wear Sub or Seamaster at that size. I have a large wrist and do wear dive watches, but it's just nice to have something low key on when I visit customers rather than a, "look how much money I am making from you", watch!
Totally agree, I find the new Rolexes too ostentatious. These older models are subtler and more inconspicuous on the wrist. But to those that know, they're still a flex
I have a sub 7” wrist as well and same explorer ii. The clasp is off center on my wrist. How does it sit for you?
I will take a look later and let you know
I also have an Explorer II 16570 (black dial) and my wrist is 6 1/2 inches. I removed one link on the longer side and the clasp now sits close to center. I think with a little patience at adding or removing links, in conjunction with utilizing the micro-adjusting capability of the clasp itself, it should be possible to end up with a nearly centered clasp.
BTW, this is my fourth Rolex, joining two Datejusts and a 39 mm Explorer I MKII reference 214270, and although I love them all, I think the Explorer II will become my favorite. Just a perfect mix of style and function.
This is a well known issue for the 16570 where the 6oclock side of the bracelet doesn’t allow you to remove enough links. There are too many permanent links. You can get this changed to better center the clasp. Google Rolliworks. They do something like a mini surgery to correct for this.
Good question. As someone who has a 6.25 inch wrist I had to get a permanent link removed (can be retrofitted) by a professional Rolex watchmaker to get that clasp centred on my wrist. To be honest, it the wonky clasp annoyed me immensely for a few weeks.
If you flip the bracelet around it will sit center, if you don’t want to remove that link at the 6 o clock
Love the watch. Do you feel safe in wearing in london as your daily? Ever where it on another strap to avoid unwanted attention even more? I know it looks good on a nato.
I love it on a nato, particularly a green one!
Yeh, I tend to avoid rolex altogether in London and grab my Breitling Aerospace instead. But, sometimes I can't resist sticking it on.
Just out of curiosity, do you know what year your watch is? Does it have solid end links? How do you think it compares to the Black Bay Pro?
Hi there, it's a 1996/1997. I didn't get on with the black bay as I found it too thick, I also didn't love the faux patina on the dial.
For the thickness I thought 200m water resistance was pretty bad.
I love the look of the watch though, and I like it on a bracelet. Although those fake rivets on the bracelets are terrible
Im so stuck on what watch to get. Not sure if i want to keep my DJ 36mm 2 tone black dial with rolex diomonds or the polar explorer y series
These explorers are good value now! I'm wearing mine today and I prefer it to my GMT!
Mate, focus the camera on the watch, not your face. Literally all of your videos showcase your face with small clips of the watches. What's the point? I can't watch. Sorry.