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Rolex · Explorer II

Explorer II

Ref. 16570

discontinued40mm modernDocumentedLast reviewed Not yet reviewed
Lineage← 1655016570216570 →Compare with previousCompare with next

Known Variants

Classification

FactoryDocumented as shipped from the factory for this reference and period.PeriodNot original to this watch, but correct for its production period.ServiceFitted by the manufacturer's own service network. Not a defect.AftermarketThird-party part. Affects originality, not authenticity.ModifiedGenuine parts in a configuration the factory did not sell. Affects originality and value, not authenticity.CounterfeitDeceptive reproduction intended to pass as genuine.UnknownEvidence on file does not settle the question.

Dial

Factory

Polar

White 'Polar' dial.

Probable

Dial

Factory

Black

Black dial.

Probable

Dial

Factory

Swiss-only transitional dial

~1998–1999 'SWISS'-only dials (T<25 gone, no 'SWISS MADE' yet) mark the tritium-to-luminous transition.

Probable

Lume

Factory

Tritium (to ~1998)

Tritium plots with a 'T SWISS T <25' designation on earlier examples.

Probable

Lume

Factory

LumiNova / Super-LumiNova (from ~1998)

Luminous 'SWISS MADE' dials on later examples.

Probable

Movement

Factory

Caliber 3185 (to ~2007)

Earlier 16570 movement.

Probable

Movement

Factory

Caliber 3186 (from ~2007)

Later 16570 movement adopting a Parachrom hairspring.

Probable

Bracelet

Factory

Oyster 78790A (501B end links)

Oyster bracelet ref 78790A; early hollow 501B end links, solid end links on later examples.

Probable

Production Changes

  1. 1998

    Tritium to luminous

    Dials transitioned from tritium ('T<25') through a brief 'Swiss-only' interim to LumiNova / Super-LumiNova ('SWISS MADE').

  2. 2007

    Caliber 3185 to 3186

    Later 16570 examples adopted the caliber 3186 with a Parachrom hairspring, replacing the 3185.

Component compatibility

What this reference is documented to have carried, and in what capacity. A service part is the manufacturer's own work; only a counterfeit classification is a finding against the watch.

Documented calibers

  • Rolex 3185FactoryDefault configurationProbable

    Whole production

    Three calibers across the run — 3085 on the earliest, then 3185 and 3186. All are factory-correct for the reference.

  • Rolex 3186FactoryProbable

    Whole production

    Three calibers across the run — 3085 on the earliest, then 3185 and 3186. All are factory-correct for the reference.