Reference:16570 - Revision history

Klaudiusz: Remove duplicate Swiss-only dating sentence and standalone gallery heading; align gallery/category structure

2026-09-29T07:51:59Z

Remove duplicate Swiss-only dating sentence and standalone gallery heading; align gallery/category structure

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:51, 29 September 2026
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	===Swiss-only dial===		===Swiss-only dial===

	“Swiss-only” is collector shorthand for ~~the~~ transitional dials marked <code>SWISS</code> without <code>MADE</code>. Weppelink associates them with LumiNova around 1998, before <code>SWISS MADE</code> appears with Super-LumiNova in 1999~~. Weppelink places it around 1998, between tritium and <code>SWISS MADE</code> dials~~. The available examples date the transition approximately; they do not establish a factory serial boundary or production count.		“Swiss-only” is collector shorthand for transitional dials marked <code>SWISS</code> without <code>MADE</code>. Weppelink associates them with LumiNova around 1998, before <code>SWISS MADE</code> appears with Super-LumiNova in 1999. The available examples date the transition approximately; they do not establish a factory serial boundary or production count.

	===SRR watches===		===SRR watches===
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	See also the [[Reference:explorer-ii\|Explorer II family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|Movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|Bracelet and clasp guide]] and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|Serial numbers]].		See also the [[Reference:explorer-ii\|Explorer II family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|Movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|Bracelet and clasp guide]] and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|Serial numbers]].

	~~==Gallery==~~
	<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">		<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
	File:Ref 16570 hero.webp\|Explorer II 16570, black dial		File:Ref 16570 hero.webp\|Explorer II 16570, black dial
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	* [https://millenarywatches.com/rolex-16570-caliber-3186/ "Rolex 16570 Caliber 3186 Complete Guide", Millenary Watches]		* [https://millenarywatches.com/rolex-16570-caliber-3186/ "Rolex 16570 Caliber 3186 Complete Guide", Millenary Watches]
	* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/editorial/explorer-ii-16570.html Paul Altieri, "Rolex Explorer II 16570 Review", Bob's Watches]		* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/editorial/explorer-ii-16570.html Paul Altieri, "Rolex Explorer II 16570 Review", Bob's Watches]

			[[Category:Explorer II]]

	[[Category:Explorer II]]		[[Category:Explorer II]]

Admin: Complete named-source attribution in audit; remove orphan publication label

2026-09-24T01:33:42Z

Complete named-source attribution in audit; remove orphan publication label

Admin: Full factual and prose audit; clarify overlapping changes and correct dial and auction details

2026-09-24T01:31:40Z

Full factual and prose audit; clarify overlapping changes and correct dial and auction details

Show changes

Admin: Layout: restore the original lead caption

2026-09-06T22:58:42Z

Layout: restore the original lead caption

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:58, 6 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
	[[File:Ref 16570 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=~~Rolex~~ 16570 ~~Explorer II~~\|~~Rolex~~ 16570 ~~Explorer II~~]]		[[File:Ref 16570 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Black-dial 16570 hero\|Black-dial 16570 hero]]
	</div>		</div>

Admin: Layout: hero refreshed

2026-09-06T22:52:58Z

Layout: hero refreshed

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:52, 6 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
	[[File:Ref 16570 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=~~Black-dial~~ 16570 ~~hero~~\|~~Black-dial~~ 16570 ~~hero~~]]		[[File:Ref 16570 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 16570 Explorer II\|Rolex 16570 Explorer II]]
	</div>		</div>

Admin: Layout: hero promoted to lead

2026-09-06T22:28:10Z

Layout: hero promoted to lead

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:28, 6 September 2026
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	<small>[[Reference:explorer-ii\|Explorer II]] › '''16570'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:explorer-ii\|Explorer II]] › '''16570'''</small>

	[[File:Ref 16570 hero.webp\|thumb\|~~right~~\|~~250px~~\|alt=Black-dial 16570 hero\|Black-dial 16570 hero]]		<div class="rp-lead">
			[[File:Ref 16570 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Black-dial 16570 hero\|Black-dial 16570 hero]]
			</div>

	The 16570 is the long-run modern Explorer II. Produced from 1989 through roughly 2011, it replaced the short-run 16550 and held the reference slot for twenty-two years before the 42mm 216570 took over. Two dial options, matte black and a crisp white called Polar. The case is 40mm steel with a fixed 24-hour bezel, sapphire crystal with Cyclops, and a true GMT movement with independent local-hour setting. Four distinguishable production versions split it by case, dial-printing, lume, and caliber. The 16570 is a slow-moving watch in a Rolex line that otherwise prefers sudden breaks, and that slow drift is what gives it the internal map collectors now rely on.		The 16570 is the long-run modern Explorer II. Produced from 1989 through roughly 2011, it replaced the short-run 16550 and held the reference slot for twenty-two years before the 42mm 216570 took over. Two dial options, matte black and a crisp white called Polar. The case is 40mm steel with a fixed 24-hour bezel, sapphire crystal with Cyclops, and a true GMT movement with independent local-hour setting. Four distinguishable production versions split it by case, dial-printing, lume, and caliber. The 16570 is a slow-moving watch in a Rolex line that otherwise prefers sudden breaks, and that slow drift is what gives it the internal map collectors now rely on.

Admin: site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

2026-09-05T01:20:20Z

site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:20, 5 September 2026
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	}}		}}

	<small>[[Reference:explorer-ii\|Explorer II]] -> '''16570'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:explorer-ii\|Explorer II]] › '''16570'''</small>

	[[File:Ref 16570 hero.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=Black-dial 16570 hero\|Black-dial 16570 hero]]		[[File:Ref 16570 hero.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=Black-dial 16570 hero\|Black-dial 16570 hero]]
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	==Core facts==		==Core facts==

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable rp-facts"
	\|-		\|-
	! detail		! detail

Admin: site-wide: domain move BezelBase → Rolexopedia (rolexopedia.net)

2026-09-05T00:36:28Z

site-wide: domain move BezelBase → Rolexopedia (rolexopedia.net)

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:36, 5 September 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 16570 Explorer II}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 16570 Explorer II}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex Explorer II 16570 (1989–2011) — Production & Dial Guide \| ~~BezelBase~~		\|title=Rolex Explorer II 16570 (1989–2011) — Production & Dial Guide \| Rolexopedia
	\|description=The Rolex Explorer II 16570 — the long-run five-digit Explorer II from 1989 to 2011, polar white or black dial, caliber 3185 then 3186, dial generations Mark I through Mark V, and the bridge between the 16550 and the modern 216570.		\|description=The Rolex Explorer II 16570 — the long-run five-digit Explorer II from 1989 to 2011, polar white or black dial, caliber 3185 then 3186, dial generations Mark I through Mark V, and the bridge between the 16550 and the modern 216570.
	\|keywords=Rolex, 16570, Explorer II, polar, black dial, caliber 3185, caliber 3186, Mark dials, reference guide		\|keywords=Rolex, 16570, Explorer II, polar, black dial, caliber 3185, caliber 3186, Mark dials, reference guide

Admin: Text audit: voice, clarity, source links

2026-08-08T22:27:18Z

Text audit: voice, clarity, source links

Show changes

Admin: Style: canonical '== Sources ==' heading spacing per AGENTS.md

2026-08-08T21:31:03Z

Style: canonical '== Sources ==' heading spacing per AGENTS.md

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:31, 8 August 2026
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	See also the [[Reference:explorer-ii\|Explorer II family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].		See also the [[Reference:explorer-ii\|Explorer II family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].

	==Sources==		== Sources ==

	* [https://monochrome-watches.com/history-rolex-explorer-ii-adventure-watch-gmt-1655-16550-16570-216570-226570-in-depth/ "In-Depth: The History of the Rolex Explorer II, The Ultimate Adventure Watch", Monochrome]		* [https://monochrome-watches.com/history-rolex-explorer-ii-adventure-watch-gmt-1655-16550-16570-216570-226570-in-depth/ "In-Depth: The History of the Rolex Explorer II, The Ultimate Adventure Watch", Monochrome]

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:33, 24 September 2026
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	Some collector guides group the 16570 into four versions. Lume text, bracelet fittings, lug holes, rehaut engraving and movement each changed on a different schedule, so the features are more useful as separate dating clues than as a single serial-band formula.		Some collector guides group the 16570 into four versions. Lume text, bracelet fittings, lug holes, rehaut engraving and movement each changed on a different schedule, so the features are more useful as separate dating clues than as a single serial-band formula.

	Monochrome describes the lume change as mid-1990s; ~~Fratello~~ dates LumiNova and the <code>SWISS</code>-only dial to 1998, followed by Super-LumiNova and <code>SWISS MADE</code> in 1999. Read these as approximate bands rather than exact cutoffs. Earlier tritium dials print <code>SWISS – T < 25</code> at six.		Monochrome describes the lume change as mid-1990s; Jorg Weppelink dates LumiNova and the <code>SWISS</code>-only dial to 1998, followed by Super-LumiNova and <code>SWISS MADE</code> in 1999. Read these as approximate bands rather than exact cutoffs. Earlier tritium dials print <code>SWISS – T < 25</code> at six.

	Rolex phased out drilled lugs and folded end links during roughly 2000–2003. Watches can combine solid end links with drilled lugs. Rehaut engraving appeared later, around the mid-2000s. The calibre 3186 also arrived late in the run, with sources placing its 16570 introduction around 2006–2007. These changes overlap: Bonhams catalogued a circa-2006 3185 example with an engraved rehaut, while Time+Tide documented a 3186 example with a plain rehaut.		Rolex phased out drilled lugs and folded end links during roughly 2000–2003. Watches can combine solid end links with drilled lugs. Rehaut engraving appeared later, around the mid-2000s. The calibre 3186 also arrived late in the run, with sources placing its 16570 introduction around 2006–2007. These changes overlap: Bonhams catalogued a circa-2006 3185 example with an engraved rehaut, while Time+Tide documented a 3186 example with a plain rehaut.

	Monochrome ends the run in 2010; ~~Fratello~~ dates it through 2011. Christie's catalogued one case as circa 2011 and says it remained with an authorized retailer until 2019. The circa-2011 date describes that case; 2019 is when the retailer’s stock was sold.		Monochrome ends the run in 2010; Weppelink dates it through 2011. Christie's catalogued one case as circa 2011 and says it remained with an authorized retailer until 2019. The circa-2011 date describes that case; 2019 is when the retailer’s stock was sold.

	[[File:Ref 16570 black-dial-2.webp\|thumb\|right\|220px\|alt=Mid-run black dial on an Explorer II 16570\|Black dial, mid-run.]]		[[File:Ref 16570 black-dial-2.webp\|thumb\|right\|220px\|alt=Mid-run black dial on an Explorer II 16570\|Black dial, mid-run.]]
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	==Case, bezel, crystal and crown==		==Case, bezel, crystal and crown==

	The stainless-steel Oyster case measures 40mm across. ~~Fratello~~ reports roughly 47mm lug-to-lug and 12.2mm thick; those are editorial measurements, not a separate factory cutoff. The screw-down Twinlock crown, crown guards, sapphire crystal and Cyclops date carry over across the run. Rolex rated the watch to 100m.		The stainless-steel Oyster case measures 40mm across. Weppelink reports roughly 47mm lug-to-lug and 12.2mm thick; those are editorial measurements, not a separate factory cutoff. The screw-down Twinlock crown, crown guards, sapphire crystal and Cyclops date carry over across the run. Rolex rated the watch to 100m.

	The steel bezel is fixed and radially brushed, with an engraved 24-hour scale. Its markings and font changed from the 16550, but the Explorer II’s bezel remained fixed throughout the 16570 run. Drilled lug holes disappeared in a phased transition around 2000–2003. The engraved rehaut arrived later and should be read as a separate change.		The steel bezel is fixed and radially brushed, with an engraved 24-hour scale. Its markings and font changed from the 16550, but the Explorer II’s bezel remained fixed throughout the 16570 run. Drilled lug holes disappeared in a phased transition around 2000–2003. The engraved rehaut arrived later and should be read as a separate change.
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	==Bracelets, clasp and packaging==		==Bracelets, clasp and packaging==

	Beyond the Dial identifies reference 78360 on earlier examples and 78790 later. ~~Fratello~~ documents the folded-to-solid end-link change during the same broad transition as the lug-hole change. Examples with mixed features occur. The center links remain hollow on these bracelets; solid end links do not mean the whole bracelet is solid.		Beyond the Dial identifies reference 78360 on earlier examples and 78790 later. Weppelink documents the folded-to-solid end-link change during the same broad transition as the lug-hole change. Examples with mixed features occur. The center links remain hollow on these bracelets; solid end links do not mean the whole bracelet is solid.

	~~Fratello~~ notes that pre-1998 examples can lack the later Fliplock extension. Bracelet, end-link and clasp details should be assessed on the bracelet itself. A clasp stamp dates the clasp or bracelet, not the watch head. Boxes and papers document an individual sale or delivery and should be assessed with that watch.		Weppelink notes that pre-1998 examples can lack the later Fliplock extension. Bracelet, end-link and clasp details should be assessed on the bracelet itself. A clasp stamp dates the clasp or bracelet, not the watch head. Boxes and papers document an individual sale or delivery and should be assessed with that watch.

	==Special branches==		==Special branches==
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	===Swiss-only dial===		===Swiss-only dial===

	“Swiss-only” is collector shorthand for the transitional dials marked <code>SWISS</code> without <code>MADE</code>. ~~Fratello~~ associates them with LumiNova around 1998, before <code>SWISS MADE</code> appears with Super-LumiNova in 1999. ~~Fratello~~ places it around 1998, between tritium and <code>SWISS MADE</code> dials. The available examples date the transition approximately; they do not establish a factory serial boundary or production count.		“Swiss-only” is collector shorthand for the transitional dials marked <code>SWISS</code> without <code>MADE</code>. Weppelink associates them with LumiNova around 1998, before <code>SWISS MADE</code> appears with Super-LumiNova in 1999. Weppelink places it around 1998, between tritium and <code>SWISS MADE</code> dials. The available examples date the transition approximately; they do not establish a factory serial boundary or production count.

	===SRR watches===		===SRR watches===
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	* [https://monochrome-watches.com/history-rolex-explorer-ii-adventure-watch-gmt-1655-16550-16570-216570-226570-in-depth/ Erik Slaven, "In-Depth: The History of the Rolex Explorer II, The Ultimate Adventure Watch", Monochrome, 2024-12-17]		* [https://monochrome-watches.com/history-rolex-explorer-ii-adventure-watch-gmt-1655-16550-16570-216570-226570-in-depth/ Erik Slaven, "In-Depth: The History of the Rolex Explorer II, The Ultimate Adventure Watch", Monochrome, 2024-12-17]
	* [https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-explorer-ii-polar-16570-youngtimer-collector-review/ Brice Goulard, "Collector's Corner: Rolex Explorer II Polar 16570 — A Youngtimer Collector Review", Monochrome, 2022-04-29]		* [https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-explorer-ii-polar-16570-youngtimer-collector-review/ Brice Goulard, "Collector's Corner: Rolex Explorer II Polar 16570 — A Youngtimer Collector Review", Monochrome, 2022-04-29]
	* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/buying_guide_different_versions_rolex_explorer_ii_16570/ Jorg Weppelink, "Buyer's Guide: Rolex Explorer II Ref. 16570, All Variations"~~, Fratello~~]		* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/buying_guide_different_versions_rolex_explorer_ii_16570/ Jorg Weppelink, "Buyer's Guide: Rolex Explorer II Ref. 16570, All Variations"]
	* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/exploring-evergreens-the-rolex-explorer-ii-16570-black-dial/ Thomas van Straaten, "Exploring Evergreens: Black-Dial Rolex Explorer II 16570"~~, Fratello~~]		* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/exploring-evergreens-the-rolex-explorer-ii-16570-black-dial/ Thomas van Straaten, "Exploring Evergreens: Black-Dial Rolex Explorer II 16570"]
	* [https://timeandtidewatches.com/depth-future-classic-rolex-explorer-ii-ref-16570/ Bruce Duguay, "In-Depth: The Rolex Explorer II Ref. 16570 is a Future Classic", Time+Tide, 2018-03-19]		* [https://timeandtidewatches.com/depth-future-classic-rolex-explorer-ii-ref-16570/ Bruce Duguay, "In-Depth: The Rolex Explorer II Ref. 16570 is a Future Classic", Time+Tide, 2018-03-19]
	* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/important-watches-part-ii-2/srr-explorer-ii-ref-16570-limited-edition "SRR 16570 Limited Edition (139-piece), Important Watches II, 2021", Sotheby's, 2021-11-01]		* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/important-watches-part-ii-2/srr-explorer-ii-ref-16570-limited-edition "SRR 16570 Limited Edition (139-piece), Important Watches II, 2021", Sotheby's, 2021-11-01]