Rolex Explorer II 16570 Chicchi Di Mais Patina 1991 (Box)

Rolex Explorer II 16570, steel 40mm case, white dial, automatic movement, comes with box

Rolex Explorer II

Rolex has been making watches since the early 1900s and has built a reputation over the decades for producing reliable, well-finished steel sport watches. The brand sits at the upper end of the mainstream luxury market, and its watches tend to hold their value better than most. Rolex produces everything in-house, from movements to cases, which gives them tight control over quality and consistency. Their sport models, in particular, have developed strong followings among collectors and everyday wearers alike.

The Explorer II was originally introduced in 1971 and was designed with cavers and polar explorers in mind, people who needed to distinguish between day and night in environments where natural light was absent or misleading. The reference 16570 ran from 1989 to 2011, making it one of the longer production runs in the line. It came in both black and white dial variants, with the white dial often referred to as the "polar" dial, and featured the distinctive fixed 24-hour bezel paired with an additional orange GMT hand.

The 16570 uses the caliber 3185 movement, which was a solid workhorse for Rolex during that era. At 40mm it wears like a proper sport watch without feeling oversized by today's standards. The reference has matured into a well-regarded collector piece, partly because of its clean, legible design and partly because it represents an era of Rolex before prices and demand made acquiring new models so difficult. It is a practical watch that also carries some historical weight within the Explorer II line.

Key Details To Consider

This is the Rolex Explorer II reference 16570 in steel with a white dial, a classic and well-regarded configuration that has been popular with collectors for years. The 40mm case is a practical, comfortable size that wears well on a wide range of wrists, and the white dial gives the watch a clean, legible look that works in just about any setting.

The watch is in very good used condition. It shows signs of previous wear, as you would expect from a pre-owned piece, but it presents well and has been kept in good shape. The case and bracelet retain solid definition, and the dial and hands are in good order.

This example comes with its original Rolex box, which is a nice addition for a pre-owned piece at this price point. The Explorer II 16570 runs on Rolex's automatic movement, known for its reliability and accuracy, and it is a watch that can be worn daily without much concern.

If you are looking for a straightforward, durable, and recognizable Rolex sports watch without getting into the higher price territory of newer references, the 16570 is a sensible choice. It has a strong following for good reason and continues to hold its appeal in the current market.

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