{"id":3661,"date":"2019-07-26T10:16:20","date_gmt":"2019-07-26T10:16:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/TheWatchClub\/?p=3661"},"modified":"2022-10-13T10:40:14","modified_gmt":"2022-10-13T10:40:14","slug":"rolex-explorer-16570-vs-216570","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/thewatchclub\/2019\/07\/26\/rolex-explorer-16570-vs-216570\/","title":{"rendered":"Rolex Explorer II 16570 vs 216570"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Rolex Explorer 16570 vs 216570: What\u2019s the difference?<\/strong><\/h1>\n

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\nThe Rolex Explorer<\/a> II is one of the most versatile watches from Rolex. The original version was created for a very niched audience \u2013 cave explorers who spend a lot of time in the dark \u2013 but today, it\u2019s considered by many as an excellent daily-wearer.<\/p>\n

The Explorer II is currently being produced with the reference 216570, but many still find its predecessor, the 16570, to be a viable choice.<\/p>\n

What sets the two references apart and which one is right for you? Let\u2019s take a closer look at the two versions of the Rolex Explorer II:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ROLEX EXPLORER II<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Similar to Rolex\u2019s most popular sport models \u2013 the Submariner, GMT-Master, and the Daytona \u2013 the Rolex Explorer was inspired by professionals with specific vocations. Divers have the Submariner, pilots have the GMT-Master, and racing drivers have the Daytona.<\/p>\n

Rolex thought that speleologists, or those who explore cave systems, would benefit from a watch that can be used while spending long periods without sunlight. Enter the Rolex Explorer II.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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The first Rolex Explorer II ref 1655<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Its inaugural model, the ref 1655 (also called the Freccione, Orange Hand or Steve McQueen) introduced an extra hour hand in bright orange and a fixed 24-hour bezel, which worked together to help distinguish between day and night.<\/p>\n

We covered the evolution of the Rolex Explorer watches\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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TODAY’S ROLEX EXPLORER II WATCHES<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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The most recent iterations, the 16570 and 216570, kept these two elements. The 16570 was launched in 1989 and enjoyed a 20-year run, which validates its popularity and importance in the Rolex Explorer II\u2019s history. Despite being discontinued, it\u2019s still sought after by many Rolex fans.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Rolex Explorer II ref 216570<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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By 2011, Rolex launched the 216570, a bigger and bolder update, which is their answer to the market\u2019s move towards larger timepieces.\u00a0Let\u2019s look at the minute details that make them different:<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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CASE<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
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The 16570 has a 40mm case. With the 216570, Rolex employed the same change they made in the GMT-Master and Submariner\u2019s recent iterations: the\u00a0Maxi Case.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

The case stayed at 40mm, but they beefed up the bezel, lugs and crown guards. Later editions of the 216570 were then increased to a 42mm case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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CASE DIFFERENCES.\u00a0left to right: Rolex Explorer II ref 16570 and 216570<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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With more space to occupy, this made many of the watch\u2019s elements larger: the crown and crown guards,\u00a0the numbers\u00a0on the bezel, the luminous hour\u00a0markers on the dial, the hands, and even the index markers.<\/p>\n

Many would point out however, that the 16570\u2019s details, despite their smaller size, were more elaborate and proportioned.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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DIAL AND HANDS<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
The 216570 was launched on the 40th\u00a0<\/sup>anniversary of the Rolex Explorer II. As a tribute to the inaugural ref 1655, they took its most distinguishing element \u2013 the orange 24-hour hand \u2013 and applied it to the 216570.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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DIAL AND HANDS.\u00a0left to right: Rolex Explorer II ref 16570 and 216570<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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This is one of the easiest ways to tell the latest versions apart, as the 16570 has a narrow,\u00a0red 24-hour hand with an arrow at the tip, similar to the ones found on GMT-Master watches.<\/p>\n

The Explorer II text on the dial\u00a0also appears in black in the 16570 (or white on the black dial version). While in the 216570, it\u2019s in a similar shade of orange as the 24-hour hand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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BRACELET<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n
Both 16570 and 216570 are fitted with 904L steel Oyster bracelets.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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BRACELETS.\u00a0left to right: Rolex Explorer II ref 16570 and 216570<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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To be in proportion with the expended lugs, the 216570 has slightly wider bracelets. Apart from the size, the new version was also the first to be equipped with Rolex\u2019s\u00a0Easylink Comfort Extension.<\/em><\/p>\n

The link extends the bracelet by up to 5mm. This comes in handy for when the wrist contrasts or expands due to humidity and temperature. As an adventure watch, the Explorer II is well-suited for climactic changes with this feature.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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MOVEMENT<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n
The 16570 runs on the\u00a0Caliber 3185<\/em>\u00a0and later updated to the\u00a0Caliber 3186<\/em>. The Caliber 3185 is the first in-house Rolex mechanism to make the 24-hour hand independently adjustable from the hour, minute,\u00a0and seconds hands.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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MOVEMENTS.\u00a0left to right: Rolex Explorer II ref 16570 and 216570<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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The Caliber 3186, meanwhile, is updated with the Parachrom Bleu hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers. Aside from being completely resistant to the effects of magnetism, it also gives the movement ten times more shock protection.<\/p>\n

The 216570, on the other hand, is powered by the\u00a0Caliber 3187<\/em>. It\u2019s a slightly enlarged version of the Caliber 3186, since the new Explorer II now comes in a larger 42mm case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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Both considered classics in the Rolex line-up, choosing between the 16570 and 216570 boils down to two aspects: fit and aesthetic.<\/p>\n

If a 40mm watch suits you better and you prefer a more subdued design of neutral colors, then the 16570 is your best bet. If you prefer a larger watch and one that has bolder details, then the 216570 might be the one for you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

____<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

SEE MORE OF THE WATCHES IN OUR VIDEO:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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