Rolex

I never understood why this 16 570 was underated.



The White dial?

The Model in itself?

I always loved it, and even more with the white dial, as we don't often see white dialed Rolexes...

This one has a particular story.

In 1996/ 1997, an Expedition was organized to the North Pole, in the Norvegian Part of the North Pole, to be more precise...

This was a scientific Expedition, and some people was invited to join this trip, as Photographers, Artists, etc...

As a Tradition, Rolex provided to each member of this Expedition an Explorer II, White Dial.

Mine was given to Nils LUND, a famous Norvegian Artist, with the name of the Expedition, the Date, and the name of each member engraved on the case back.

A friend of mine called me to ask if I was interested in buying it, as he knew that I was hunting a psecial Explo II.

And since quite 3 years now, Im' the happy owner of this lovely watch.

I gave it for a complete overhall recently, ad it just came back 2 days ago...

A light buff, a total service, but I was afraid to change the bezel, so I kept it, a bit destroyed, certainly bitten by a Bear...LOL

And, once again, I fell in love with!

This is a watch like I love them, elegant, strong, powerful, a bit sporty...

And this white dial, so particular for a Rolex!

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Isn't it lovely?

Just wanted to share with you this watch with a nice story...

Best.

Nicolas

I had always thought that the Explorer II gets overlooked because it's at least functionally redundant of the GMT line.  What is the difference between the two other than aesthetics and a non-rotating bezel?

1/ The hour hand is coupled to the GMT Hand, no the GMT, which is not the case on the Explo II, the hour hand and the GMT hand being independant, to allow 2 different TZ hours, since the bezel doesn't turn ( on the Explo II ). Do you get me, as I have difficulties to understand what im' writing..LOL?
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2/ The Date on the GMT allows a quick set, which is not the case on the Explo II, the date being set by the hour hand.

Thanks for the nice comments, my friend.

best.

Nicolas

2/

beautiful pictures as usual !

      Cheers

           Jeff

With its White dial is quite hard to take in pic...

Not that happy with my pics, but the essential is the story behind.

See you soon, my friend...And don't forget what you know...LOL

Nicolas

thats nice... i have been thinking of getting one myself as its a nice white dialled sports rolex... we'll see

thanks for sharing nicolas

cheers
raph

Beside this "season considerations" , the Explo II is truley a watch to discover, to live with.

The Story behind is the cherry on the cake, but the watch is worth it.

Another thing is these black circled indexes, with the black hands...

It gives to the watch an even more sporty look.

I love!

Nicolas

make some tough as nails sports watches,  they also make them relatively more affordable compared to some other high end watch makers.  My favorite sports Rolex is the everfresh Submariner Date in SS.

Best Regards my friend.

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Can't blame you for this choice, as I also have a Vintage sub in my collection.

This is a superb timeless and affordable watch, you're absolutely right.

More original, but not less classy?

This Explo II!

best.

Nicolas

While I understand the whole 3 timezone vs. 2 timezone tracking in reference to the GMT vs. Explorer II, I'm interested in who actually uses this as a criteria for purchasing one over the other.  Seriously, is the concept of tracking a third timezone that desirable?  I know many people with the GMT of various iterations, and have never met one who used it to its fullest timing potential.  I guess some pilots and the occasional businessman might find this useful, but it otherwise seems like a relatively weak argument to me. 

Don't get me wrong; I like the GMT and may end up buying one at some point, but for looks, count me in the white dial Exp II camp. 

 

Brian CK

First of all, welcome here, my new friend!

As for your interesting question, I rather think that it's a matter of taste than functionality.

You're absolutely right, what matters is to get a TZ watch not necessary 2 or 3...in the majority of the cases.

I love my good old 16750, with its painted indexes and this gorgeous patina, associated to the pepsi bezel.

But I really love the Explo II, too.

These are only aesthetic considerations, of course, but can't choose between these 2 babies.

Best.

And looking forward to read you often, here!

Nicolas

The funny thing is that the patina of the indexes and the hands is very sublte, not to say discrete, in the natural light...

Put it on the artificial light, and you will see the subtility, the nuances of the nidexes and hands...

Amazing, and beautiful.

Best.

Nicolas

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....as they show the 'soul' of the watch, making one wonder how they got there, and what stories the watch would tell if it could speak. It allows the piece to become the subject of one's thoughts and to enquire about its history and experiences.

I wear an Explorer II Blanc as my daily watch and it is a most excellent companion, although my SubDate is getting seriously jealous LOL

Cheers,

LEE

What is very nice for a toolwatch like this one may be not that nice for a dressy watch like a PP Calatrava.

Of course.

These dings are the soul of the watch, as the engravings in the case back.

I'll try to take a pic of it.

Thanks for the nice words, my friend.

Nicolas

great story...thanks for sharing.

Joe C.

Much appreciated, my friend!

Best.

Nicolas

To get your first Rolex? LOLOL

Thanks for the nice words, my friend.

Best.

Nicolas