I have this exact M model with the 3186. Been wearing it for 5 years as my daily wear to work, HS sports events and restaurants. It is only 122grams sized for my 7.2 inch wrist.... and i love it. So unpretentious, only one person in 5 years mentioned it to me. Very under the radar but pleasing to the wearer. Thanks for the talk!
Hi there , you forgot to mention two things about the last versions of the 16570 , like yours . The engraved rehaut has the serial number of the watch at 6 . Very usefull feature , so you don’t have to remove the end link to check that out . And second , it has le LEC ( laser etched coronet ) again at 6 . Very important feature against counterfeits . The 3186 caliber version of the 16570 was produced for about 4 years , so it’s not that hard to get ,like it was with the GMT-MASTER II 16710 , that was produced with the 3186 for only one year .
I have this watch, bought new in 2009 and still my only Rolex. Such a practical piece, it has served me well. Just returned from its first service. I hadn't known about the stabilised 24-hour hand, thank you!
I've been hunting one of these for literally a decade or more. Not so easy to get just the right one you're looking for (here in Australia anyway). Finally happened though! Just picked up a 2009 V serial and cannot wait to receive it. I'm pretty sure I'll be selling the 16610 when this one arrives. Explorer 1 never quite cut it for me either, had a few of those. The 16570 just has some kind of magic about it. Thanks for the video.
Update - I've had it on the wrist every day for 9 weeks now, and it's everything I hoped it would be! Absolute cracker of a watch, I love everything about it, how it looks, feels and wears. Mine has been a rock solid consistent +3.8 seconds a day for 9 weeks now. My favourite Rolex ever!
I learned some things about this model range that I didn't know before, so thank-you! I'm also happy to see HDR videos done properly. Was this shot in Dolby Vision on iPhone?
Hi, thank you - great video! I am saving for my first Rolex - either a mid 90’s Sub or a mid 2000’s explorer 2. I am not a diver nor will I use the explorer for spelunking - which objectively should I go for? A submariner is a watch I’ve loved since I was younger, but recently I think the newer explorer would last longer and be more reliable. What do you think? Thank you!
I don’t believe you’re right on it being in their watches for 05. I believe it was originally put into the precious metal GMT master and eventually made its way to the Explorer II before the refresh.
@@horologyproject This model was produced until 2011, so it was not the only year it received the 3186 movement. For the GMT-Master II, yes, in 2008 the ceramic version was introduced, but it took another couple of years before the Explorer II was redesigned into the 216570 and it received the 3187 movement. A 16710 3186 GMT-Master II is very rare. A 16570 3186 Explorer II not so much.
I have been looking into buying one of these for years now, but have not done it. I prefer the clasp and bracelet on the modern Rolex watches. I might still buy a 16570 in the future. The current explorer II is just too big for my 6.5" wrist.
I have a 126610lv and a polar Explorer II 16570 now, and I still prefer the bracelet on the 5 digit. Way more comfortable. You forget you are wearing it. Sure, the micro adjust and solid feel of the modern references are nice, but they are less comfortable. I wouldn’t let it stop you.
@@horologyproject I notice you wear 4 links on the 6 o'clock side of your LV but still have 5 links on the 16570. Any reason why? I also have a small wrist and wear 4 links on any 6-digit Rolex reference. Am considering a 16570 but know I'll need a watchmaker to (permanently) remove one of the 6 o'clock links in order to get optimal clasp placement. Separately, have you ever tried installing a Jubilee bracelet on your ExpII?
Both the black and polar 16570 have always had solid white gold hands and markers. The only difference is the polars hands and markers are also painted black
problem is that is is absurdly large (over 42mm) for a timepiece that is supposed to be a field-ready tool-watch. The classic (much) lighter and smaller 39mm was superior. Rolex making it larger and heavier for "wrist presence" is very 2020 Rolex bravado. No one really wears them outside of suburbs anyway, I suppose. Probably the best "modern" rolex for this sort of thing is the 36mm Explorer, and superior to both is the Tudor Pelagos 39mm.
I’m 100% there with you. It’s a real bummer that they up’d the size. In the video, when I take off my submariner and put on the 16570, I have an oh crap moment. The 5 digit is waaaay more comfy. I sadly let go of this watch, and I regret it. Thankfully I recently picked up a polar, so I’m happily enjoying the Explorer ii again.
@@horologyproject what do you think of the polar vs the black dial? People scream about the polar white color but it seems to me that the black one is way more undestated. Was the Gmt hand visible against the black dial as it is against the white dial?
It always amuses me when people reference watch sizes as "perfect", or when people forget the fact that the ideal watch size is relative to the size of the person who's actually wearing the watch. A 39mm sized watch on my 6'02", 220 lb, frame and 7 1/4" wrist would look relatively small on me. I don't, however, go around stating that 39mm watches are absurdly small. I own a 42mm Rolex Explorer II and a 43mm SD43 and they both look absolutely perfect on my 7 1/4" wrist. So, let us all remember, watch sizes are relative to the person who is wearing it. Is a 42mm watch absurdly large for you? Perhaps.
@@AntonioDiniI switched to a black dial 16570 from the Black Bay Pro last month.Been enjoying the wearing experience a lot! However, legibility wise, the Pro wins by a long mile. The red GMT hand is pretty contrasty against the glossy black dial although not as easy to lock on to as the BB Pro’s. Furthermore oftentimes it took me a split second for my aging eyes to hunt and locate where the seconds hand is due to how thin it is.
The Time Grapher's window is providing a reflection -- albeit a fuzzy, out of focus one -- that may be not what you intended. This comment is disposable.
True. The Daytona is a bit different for me as it’s a panda and almost impossible to get. All the other watches aren’t being made in white dials anymore.
The others are also not in the same category as "SS sports watches". The Daytona is a whole category of its own. I got the Polar 16570 because it stands out in a sea of black dial Subs.
i think the only other white dial SS rolex is a daytona so lol you're not really wrong. the polar 16570 is the only attainable white dial SS sports rolex
I have this exact M model with the 3186. Been wearing it for 5 years as my daily wear to work, HS sports events and restaurants. It is only 122grams sized for my 7.2 inch wrist.... and i love it. So unpretentious, only one person in 5 years mentioned it to me. Very under the radar but pleasing to the wearer. Thanks for the talk!
In the video you can tell when I’m like “crap, this thing is more comfy than the new submariner.” Newer ain’t always better.
Hi there , you forgot to mention two things about the last versions of the 16570 , like yours .
The engraved rehaut has the serial number of the watch at 6 . Very usefull feature , so you don’t have to remove the end link to check that out .
And second , it has le LEC ( laser etched coronet ) again at 6 .
Very important feature against counterfeits .
The 3186 caliber version of the 16570 was produced for about 4 years , so it’s not that hard to get ,like it was with the GMT-MASTER II 16710 , that was produced with the 3186 for only one year .
Excellent info. I was lucky enough to pick up an exp II polar with the 3186 as well as the GMT master II with the 3186.
I have this watch, bought new in 2009 and still my only Rolex. Such a practical piece, it has served me well. Just returned from its first service. I hadn't known about the stabilised 24-hour hand, thank you!
Watches are funny things... I've known about this watch for a decade without much interest, and now I can't stop thinking about it all of a sudden.
I've got a Polar with the 3186. I think mine's a 2010 (G series?) Lovely watch.
I've been hunting one of these for literally a decade or more. Not so easy to get just the right one you're looking for (here in Australia anyway). Finally happened though! Just picked up a 2009 V serial and cannot wait to receive it. I'm pretty sure I'll be selling the 16610 when this one arrives. Explorer 1 never quite cut it for me either, had a few of those. The 16570 just has some kind of magic about it. Thanks for the video.
Update - I've had it on the wrist every day for 9 weeks now, and it's everything I hoped it would be! Absolute cracker of a watch, I love everything about it, how it looks, feels and wears. Mine has been a rock solid consistent +3.8 seconds a day for 9 weeks now. My favourite Rolex ever!
Nice commentary on a terrific piece. Just wish the crazy price run-up on these would continue floating down some more...
You and me both! I did just snag a polar for a great price. There is hope yet.
I have a "coke" gmt , a sub and Oyster P & Day Date. This is by far my favorite! Nice Vid. Thanks!
That’s a great collection. Got all the heavy hitters in Rolex’s line up. Bring on the Explorer II
Thank you so much for this review! Made my decision to get one even easier :D
I learned some things about this model range that I didn't know before, so thank-you! I'm also happy to see HDR videos done properly. Was this shot in Dolby Vision on iPhone?
I shot it on an iPhone 15 Pro
Hi, thank you - great video! I am saving for my first Rolex - either a mid 90’s Sub or a mid 2000’s explorer 2. I am not a diver nor will I use the explorer for spelunking - which objectively should I go for? A submariner is a watch I’ve loved since I was younger, but recently I think the newer explorer would last longer and be more reliable. What do you think? Thank you!
The 3186 was in the explorer 2 from 2005-2011
I don’t believe you’re right on it being in their watches for 05. I believe it was originally put into the precious metal GMT master and eventually made its way to the Explorer II before the refresh.
@@horologyproject This model was produced until 2011, so it was not the only year it received the 3186 movement. For the GMT-Master II, yes, in 2008 the ceramic version was introduced, but it took another couple of years before the Explorer II was redesigned into the 216570 and it received the 3187 movement.
A 16710 3186 GMT-Master II is very rare. A 16570 3186 Explorer II not so much.
I have been looking into buying one of these for years now, but have not done it. I prefer the clasp and bracelet on the modern Rolex watches. I might still buy a 16570 in the future. The current explorer II is just too big for my 6.5" wrist.
I have a 126610lv and a polar Explorer II 16570 now, and I still prefer the bracelet on the 5 digit. Way more comfortable. You forget you are wearing it. Sure, the micro adjust and solid feel of the modern references are nice, but they are less comfortable. I wouldn’t let it stop you.
It is large and have 16.5 wrist. I love it!
@@horologyproject I notice you wear 4 links on the 6 o'clock side of your LV but still have 5 links on the 16570. Any reason why? I also have a small wrist and wear 4 links on any 6-digit Rolex reference. Am considering a 16570 but know I'll need a watchmaker to (permanently) remove one of the 6 o'clock links in order to get optimal clasp placement.
Separately, have you ever tried installing a Jubilee bracelet on your ExpII?
when did rolex start using white gold on the hands and the circles on the markers on this reference 16570?
Both the black and polar 16570 have always had solid white gold hands and markers. The only difference is the polars hands and markers are also painted black
This guy nailed it. I do believe they formally switched to this method across their SS models in the 80’s along with 904l steel.
I think you'll find Richard Hammond is wearing a polar dial 16570 in the last episode of the Grand Tour just out now
problem is that is is absurdly large (over 42mm) for a timepiece that is supposed to be a field-ready tool-watch. The classic (much) lighter and smaller 39mm was superior. Rolex making it larger and heavier for "wrist presence" is very 2020 Rolex bravado. No one really wears them outside of suburbs anyway, I suppose. Probably the best "modern" rolex for this sort of thing is the 36mm Explorer, and superior to both is the Tudor Pelagos 39mm.
Or the grand seiko SN003
I’m 100% there with you. It’s a real bummer that they up’d the size. In the video, when I take off my submariner and put on the 16570, I have an oh crap moment. The 5 digit is waaaay more comfy. I sadly let go of this watch, and I regret it. Thankfully I recently picked up a polar, so I’m happily enjoying the Explorer ii again.
@@horologyproject what do you think of the polar vs the black dial? People scream about the polar white color but it seems to me that the black one is way more undestated. Was the Gmt hand visible against the black dial as it is against the white dial?
It always amuses me when people reference watch sizes as "perfect", or when people forget the fact that the ideal watch size is relative to the size of the person who's actually wearing the watch. A 39mm sized watch on my 6'02", 220 lb, frame and 7 1/4" wrist would look relatively small on me. I don't, however, go around stating that 39mm watches are absurdly small. I own a 42mm Rolex Explorer II and a 43mm SD43 and they both look absolutely perfect on my 7 1/4" wrist. So, let us all remember, watch sizes are relative to the person who is wearing it. Is a 42mm watch absurdly large for you? Perhaps.
@@AntonioDiniI switched to a black dial 16570 from the Black Bay Pro last month.Been enjoying the wearing experience a lot! However, legibility wise, the Pro wins by a long mile. The red GMT hand is pretty contrasty against the glossy black dial although not as easy to lock on to as the BB Pro’s. Furthermore oftentimes it took me a split second for my aging eyes to hunt and locate where the seconds hand is due to how thin it is.
Loved this.
What size is your wrist? :)
Nevermind ;)
Around 6.5-.75. Glad you liked the video! Hope you stick around. Got a few more videos releasing every week.
Is this heavier than the 3185?
No
What's your wrist size
6.5-6.75ish inches
The Time Grapher's window is providing a reflection -- albeit a fuzzy, out of focus one -- that may be not what you intended. This comment is disposable.
Eagle eyes! 👀
Gives the GMT a run for its money.
You can get a few different white dial Rolex Sports watches past & present, the Daytona, Air King and Milgauss to name a few.
True. The Daytona is a bit different for me as it’s a panda and almost impossible to get. All the other watches aren’t being made in white dials anymore.
The others are also not in the same category as "SS sports watches". The Daytona is a whole category of its own. I got the Polar 16570 because it stands out in a sea of black dial Subs.
If I could get both of them in a timely fashion I would. These ADs are out busting balls and can’t get anything.
i think the only other white dial SS rolex is a daytona so
lol you're not really wrong. the polar 16570 is the only attainable white dial SS sports rolex
Yeah. I think there used to be an OP and air king that were white, but it’s mainly the polar and Daytona people think of.