Weekend Watches: 2021 Rolex Explorer II Review And Comparison: The New Rolex 226570 vs The Explorer II 216570

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2021 Rolex Explorer II Review And Comparison: The New Rolex 226570 vs The Explorer II 216570

Jul 31, 2021

WatchBox Reviews
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Contact [email protected] for pricing and availability; Either I have it, or I can get it!

Watch our review of the 2021 Rolex Explorer II on today’s installment of “Weekend Watches!” The 50th anniversary Rolex Explorer 2 here receives a comprehensive evaluation of its fit, features, updates, and how it compares to the outgoing Rolex reference 216570. Additional Rolex watch models on this show include a vintage Rolex Sea Dweller and a Rolex Daytona in white gold. Follow WatchBox Reviews and Tim Mosso for YouTube’s most authoritative guide to collecting luxury watches.

2021 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Rolex’s Explorer II. Originally designed for cave explorers and hydrocarbon surveyors who worked under conditions of unreliable sunlight, the Explorer II launched in 1971. The first generation, Rolex reference 1655, did not have a separate second time zone; the 24-hour hand only distinguished between day and night in the user’s current time zone. All of that changed in 1984 with the arrival of the Explorer II 16550. Capable of displaying two time zones in 12 and 24-hour formats, the Explorer 2 became a functional equivalent of the GMT-Master II.

At first glance, the 2020 and 2021 Explorer II watches look identical. Small changes on the dial include a new Rolex crown between “Swiss” and “Made” at six o’clock and hands that now feature polished rather than blackened centers. The printing of the new watch’s dial is brighter and heavier than the old model, and the dial base features slightly more gloss luster.

Externally, the new Explorer II features thinner lugs and a larger bracelet end link. The 2020 reference 216570 used a 21mm end link; 2021 brings a 22mm unit. Each component of the new Rolex bracelet is slightly broader down to the width of the clasp internals. Within the Oyster clasp, the new watch features full polish while the older model includes media blasting within the clasp swingarm. The Easylink quick adjust system remains.

Technically, the biggest change is the newfound power reserve of 70 hours. Rolex caliber 3285 arrives from the current GMT Master 2 with an upgraded Chronergy escapement and a high capacity mainspring. The old caliber 3187’s jeweled staff winding system is supplanted by a ball bearing pivot, and Rolex Paraflex shock springs now protect the balance staff. Water resistance remains rated to 100 meters.

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2021 Rolex Explorer II Black Dial 226570 2021 Rolex Watch Review​


Aug 9, 2021

WatchBox Reviews
AKedOLSNUryjdMoy9jgBadyAP2wzcOzgk7hzf8Zcb6PyeA=s48-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj


Contact Team Mosso for pricing and availability; Either I have it, or I can get it!
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 610-632-5307

The 2021 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer II 226570 is encased in 42mm of stainless steel surrounding a black dial on a stainless steel Oyster bracelet. Features of this Rolex Explorer II include hours, minutes, seconds, date and GMT. This Rolex watch also measures 12.5mm in thickness and 50.1mm from lug-to-lug.

For complete details, watch the full Rolex Explorer II review by Tim Mosso!

Please subscribe to our channel for the best luxury watch reviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/WatchBoxRevie...

Visit our website at www.thewatchbox.com for the latest pre-owned luxury watch arrivals and industry-leading value in previously loved luxury timepieces.


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Specifications​

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  • Specifications
    Reference 226570
    MODEL CASE
    Oyster, 42 mm, Oystersteel
    MODEL CASE
    Oyster, 42 mm, Oystersteel
    OYSTER ARCHITECTURE
    Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown
    DIAMETER
    42 mm
    MATERIAL
    Oystersteel
    BEZEL
    Fixed, 24-hour graduated
    WINDING CROWN
    Screw-down, Twinlock double waterproofness system
    CRYSTAL
    Scratch-resistant sapphire, Cyclops lens over the date
    WATER RESISTANCE
    Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet

  • movement-calibre-3285.jpg
  • MOVEMENT
    Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding, GMT function
    CALIBRE
    3285, Manufacture Rolex
    PRECISION
    -2/+2 sec/day, after casing
    FUNCTIONS
    Centre hour, minute and seconds hands. 24-hour display. Second time zone with independent rapid-setting of the hour hand. Instantaneous date. Stop-seconds for precise time setting
    OSCILLATOR
    Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring. High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers
    WINDING
    Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
    POWER RESERVE
    Approximately 70 hours

  • m226570-0002.png
  • BRACELET
    Oyster, flat three-piece links
    BRACELET MATERIAL
    Oystersteel
    CLASP
    Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link

m226570-0002.png


DIAL
Black
DETAILS
Highly legible Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence

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CERTIFICATION Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)
 
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