There’s something about a white-face Rolex. You’ve got the Daytona with a beautiful white face. You have the Yacht Master II with it’s HUGE white face with blue accents. And you have the Explorer II.
The Rolex Explorer II was launched in 1971, the year that I was born. So this is as close to a birthday watch as I currently have in my collection. This is the newest Explorer II variant, a 2015 model, with the larger 42mm case, the chunkier hands and my personal favorite, the orange GMT hand.
I’ve strapped mine to a pseudo-NATO grey strap (as well as a leather full-NATO strap above) that looks pretty good on it. Last night I put it beside my bed and when I looked at it at about 6:00 this morning the blue lume was still going (although faint).
From what I hear, there is only about $500 difference between this watch and the GMT II. If I were only able to have one I’d probably go with the GMT as it can look as comfortable by the pool as in the boardroom. But the Explorer has a little more spirit – especially with the white face. What do you think?
FratelloWatches.com has a great history of the Explorer II. Check it out.
WHAT I LIKE:
- White-face Rolex. Gonna get some looks.
- Crazy-legibility (there’s a reason computer screens are black on white)
- Great lume
- Different from the eponymous Rolex Sub (and GMT II that it (almost) shares a movement with)
NOT SO MUCH:
- Pricey
- Stainless steel bezel is going to get nicked
- For the price, should have the Sub’s Glidelock clasp
WATCH SPECIFICATIONS:
MODEL NAME: Rolex Explorer II
REFERENCE NUMBER: 216570
MOVEMENT: Rolex 3187 (28,800bph, 48 hour reserve)
CASE SIZE: 42mm
WATER RESISTANCE: 100m/330ft
NOTES: COSC Certification
MANUFACTURER LINK: https://www.rolex.com/watches/explorer-ii/m216570-0001.html
OTHER REVIEW: http://www.ablogtowatch.com/rolex-explorer-ii-216570-watch-review/
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