History of the Rolex Explorer II

Check out the Rolex Explorer II over at Chronext:

History of the Rolex Explorer II - The Best Luxury Sports Watch

The first Rolex Explorer II was launched in 1971 with the Reference 1655 and there have been 5 versions of the Explorer II:

Ref. 1655
Launched in 1971
Diameter: 39mm
Movement: Cal. 1575 automatic
Function: 24hr hand
Accuracy: COSC
Lume: Tritium
WR: 100m
Dial: Black

Ref. 16550
Launched in 1985
Diameter: 40mm
Movement: Cal. 3085 automatic
Function: GMT/ Second Time Zone
Accuracy: COSC
Lume: Tritium
WR: 100m
Dial: Black or White

Ref. 16570
Launched in 1989
Diameter: 40mm
Movement: Cal. 3185 / 3186 automatic
Function: GMT/ Second Time Zone
Accuracy: COSC
Lume: Tritium / Luminova / Super Luminova
WR: 100m
Dial: Black or White

Ref. 216570
Launched in 2011
Diameter: 42mm
Movement: Cal. 3187 automatic
Function: GMT/ Second Time Zone
Accuracy: COSC
Lume: Chromalight
WR: 100m
Dial: Black or White

Ref. 226570
Launched in 2021
Diameter: 42mm
Movement: Cal. 3285 automatic
Function: GMT/ Second Time Zone
Accuracy: COSC
Lume: Chromalight
WR: 100m
Dial: Black or White

#Rolex #Explorer #BarkAndJack

[BarkandJack]

Check out the Rolex Explorer II over at Chronext:

[salam-sy]

So happy that you told us how the features of the original served a purpose for spelunkers, like the 24 hour hand, busy dial, tritium and odd hour plots. Very informative. I used to not care about the original Explorer II, now i am obsessed.

[ismailsaoud]

I genuinely love your videos. I’ve started getting into the watch game a few months ago and this has been my go to channel to just see new things and have fun. I love how passionate you are about this.
Sending love from Egypt🇪🇬

[ErikL]

Some amazing b-roll here on account of an incredible on-location shoot. Nicely done, Adrian!

[rfern]

The Explorer II 16570 was my grail for a long time, and it still tugs at me from time to time. However, once I tried the Grand Seiko GMTs…

[cameltrophy]

I love my 216570. It is the adventurer's choice. Reinhold Messner is one of the greatest mountaineers ever, and one of hie nicknames is "Mr. Orange Hand" due to his continued use of an Explorer II. Ed Viesturs is one of the greatest American mountaineers ever and he has worn an Explorer II on most of his summits. The Explorer II is a brilliant watch that embodies the spirit of adventure.

[leesziming]

What an incredible video! Rolex and Tudor are gonna have a field day over this

[owenmorgan]

Such an under rated piece… it’s my first and only Rolex. Love the content by the way!

[SamWade]

I took my Explorer 2 up Scafell Pike and into the cathedral cave in the lakes last year! - I love that white dial the most it jumps right off the wrist at you!

[haromaster]

What an incredible way to showcase this watch and its history. Absolutely great video.

[nsteranka]

With a great sponsor, what can be produced is amazing. Best to you Adrian!

[mtCarson]

Very well done video Adrian. Many thanks. Great that you had the opportunity to do the cave tour in Switzerland. Cheers from Montana. 👍⌚️🏔🌲

[fredlarke]

Adrian, your videos are such a breath of fresh air among all the nastiness and backbiting we currently see on some of the other watch channels. Keep up the good work!

[BowlOfSalmon]

enjoyed the episode again .. didn't know about Harry wearing them. i feel as much as part of the family as he does now :)

[MichaelG]

I've always loved the previous generation Explorer II. I truly regret not buying one when they were the most affordable of the Rolex sports watch line. They, like all of Rolex, have now gone out of reach.

[michaelfierman]

oh YES! I said i wanted more of this last time, so thank you!

[vdharne]

Amazing production value.. I hope you keep getting sponsors to make videos like this..

[stephanosnicolaou]

I remember around 2008, back in Cyprus, my mother's cousin was wearing a 1655 and I commented on it. He told me how the Rolex service guy told him "it's old, I can replace it with a new model if you want!"
I showed him the (then) prices of the used 1655 and retail of the 16570. He wasn't happy haha

[nvjenson]

Great call out. Picked up the 226570 black dial from my AD a couple weeks ago and I love the fact that it’s more of the outsiders Rolex. Keep the Explorer II content coming!

[jeffreyb.]

Am a subscriber. Love the channel. Great video. And agree with all the points.
About 2m ago went to get one of the explorer 2's dealer experience was awful. "We aren't taking names." "Have you bought from us before." "We might get one in a year." 3 different dealers..one of which is very popular for these. Just not an experience I plan to repeat in the rest of my life (Rolex lost me and my family based on our friends via word of mouth...so perhaps 100 sales or more..they just don't get it). Went to a local GS dealer. He had an SBGJ255. It is the GS version of the explorer 2. Lighter and more scratch resistant (special TI). Limitted edition of 1200 globally. Was able to buy it at a very nice price. It has lost 12 seconds in 16 weeks total...it is a high beat (36, 000) auto movement with true GMT functionality...which is frankly remarkable accuracy. 100m. Ti. And superior polishing/finish IMHO to any of the Rolex's I saw in the dealer's case (that were not for sale of course...). Amazing lume and a 44gs case so very interesting to look at from any angle...haut design. In the end, I might get an explorer 2 someday...but between this GS and a Steinhardt 1655 I have had for years at 39mm, there is no need now and that dealer interaction was just awful. Rolex watches are not cheap. Rolex in my opinion needs to show buyers a lot more of us only can afford one watch or perhaps 2....and they need to understand that the charity they represent and its mission is not something that would smile at how they market things which is elitist to the nth degree. They should tell dealers no mark-ups or no watches. Period. And if they find a grey market watch they trace the SN back and shut that dealer down for 5 years. Done.

Great video and glad you are happy...but to me, the best watch is first off one that you can buy. Rolex watches are not magical things...they are mass produced to a very remarkable level of precision but they are not handmade pieces like the GS...and to that end I have no regrets. I suspect if you had purchased the SNBJ255 and not the 9f you'd have stayed with the GS....it is a much more special watch. Someone put it together and polished it to a level not seen in Swiss watches until you cross over the 50k or 100k pricepoint if then....it is silly good. That in the end has me sold on the GS and why I wear it and stare at it and know it is keeping statistically better time than a Rolex too. Three times the watch as half price street....go figure.