Reference:explorer-ii - Revision history

Klaudiusz: Deep correctness, metadata and anti-slop audit: Explorer II hub

2026-09-28T21:35:16Z

Deep correctness, metadata and anti-slop audit: Explorer II hub

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:35, 28 September 2026
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	\|description=Every Rolex Explorer II reference from the 1971 Freccione 1655 through the 16550, 16570, 216570, and current 226570. Production histories, dial variants, Mark taxonomies, movement specs, and collector context.		\|description=Every Rolex Explorer II reference from the 1971 Freccione 1655 through the 16550, 16570, 216570, and current 226570. Production histories, dial variants, Mark taxonomies, movement specs, and collector context.
	\|keywords=Rolex Explorer II, 1655, Freccione, 16550, cream dial, 16570, Polar, 216570, 226570, vintage Rolex, 24-hour GMT		\|keywords=Rolex Explorer II, 1655, Freccione, 16550, cream dial, 16570, Polar, 216570, 226570, vintage Rolex, 24-hour GMT
			\|image=Ref_1655_hero.webp
			\|image_alt=Rolex Explorer II reference 1655
	\|type=Article		\|type=Article
	}}		}}
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	== Current-production successors ==		== Current-production successors ==

	The 42 mm successors continue the line beyond the vintage and neo-vintage generations. ~~Both keep~~ the engraved solid-steel 24-hour bezel used since 1971; Explorer II ~~references have not adopted~~ a Cerachrom ~~insert~~.		The 42 mm successors continue the line beyond the vintage and neo-vintage generations. They retain the engraved solid-steel 24-hour bezel used since 1971; the Explorer II line continues with a steel bezel rather than Cerachrom.

	* [[Reference:216570\|216570]] (2011–2021) — 42mm case, cal. 3187, reintroduced orange 24-hour hand		* [[Reference:216570\|216570]] (2011–2021) — 42mm case, cal. 3187, reintroduced orange 24-hour hand
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	== Dial variant highlights ==		== Dial variant highlights ==

	~~Variant taxonomy across the line, in brief~~:		The main documented variants are:

	* 1655 Mark dials: collector groups commonly called Mk1 through Mk5, plus documented Beyeler service dials. Names and boundaries vary between sources.		* 1655 Mark dials: collector groups commonly called Mk1 through Mk5, plus documented Beyeler service dials. Names and boundaries vary between sources.
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	== Related families ==		== Related families ==

	* [[Reference:explorer\|Explorer]] — the original line~~. Same~~ case ~~lineage, same~~ Mercedes hands, no 24-hour function.		* [[Reference:explorer\|Explorer]] — the original line, with related case design and Mercedes hands but no 24-hour function.
	* [[Reference:gmt-master\|GMT-Master]] — the shared-movement sibling~~. Caliber~~ 1575 GMT in the ~~1655 and~~ caliber 3085 ~~in the 16550 carry over from the GMT-Master family~~.		* [[Reference:gmt-master\|GMT-Master]] — the shared-movement sibling; the 1655 uses a linked-hand 1575 GMT and the 16550 uses caliber 3085.
	* [[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] — ~~the~~ parallel tool line~~. Same case-era cadence, same generation-by-generation~~ movement ~~progression~~.		* [[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] — a parallel tool line whose references moved through successive movement generations.

	== Shared references ==		== Shared references ==
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	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

			* [https://newsroom.rolex.com/watches/oyster-collection/explorer-ii The Rolex Explorer II Models] — Rolex Newsroom
	* [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
	* [https://revolutionwatch.com/tooled-rolex-explorer-ii-reference-1655/ Tooled Up: The Rolex Explorer II Reference 1655] — Ross Povey, Revolution		* [https://revolutionwatch.com/tooled-rolex-explorer-ii-reference-1655/ Tooled Up: The Rolex Explorer II Reference 1655] — Ross Povey, Revolution

Admin: Full hub chronology, movement, and image audit

2026-09-22T00:19:18Z

Full hub chronology, movement, and image audit

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:19, 22 September 2026
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	}}		}}

			<div class="rp-lead">
			[[File:Ref_1655_hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex Explorer II 1655\|Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655, the first Explorer II]]
			</div>

	The Explorer II is the fixed-bezel 24-hour sibling to the Explorer I. Rolex ~~launched~~ it in 1971 for ~~cave~~ and ~~polar~~ use, and every Explorer II ~~since~~ has kept the 24-hour hand and bezel.		The Explorer II is the fixed-bezel 24-hour sibling to the Explorer I. Rolex introduced it in 1971 for low-light and remote-field use, and every Explorer II has kept the 24-hour hand and engraved bezel.

	~~Five references make up the~~ line: the 1655 ~~with linked~~-hand ~~day-night logic~~, the 16550 ~~with the first true GMT function~~, ~~the~~ 16570 ~~across the long middle run~~, ~~the 42mm~~ 216570 ~~from 2011~~, ~~and~~ the 226570 ~~in current production~~.		The line runs from the 1655, whose 24-hour hand is linked to local time, through the independently adjustable 16550, 16570, and 216570, to the current 226570.

	== Common entry points ==		== Common entry points ==
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	! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Case !! Key distinction		! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Case !! Key distinction
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Reference:1655\|1655]] \|\| 1971–1984 \|\| Cal. 1575 GMT \|\| 40mm SS, acrylic \|\| ~~Freccione orange straight/lollipop~~ hand; 5 Mark ~~dials + 2~~ service ~~dials~~; linked-hand 24-hour; fixed engraved steel bezel		\| [[Reference:1655\|1655]] \|\| 1971–1984 \|\| Cal. 1575 GMT \|\| 40mm SS, acrylic \|\| Orange 24-hour hand; documented Mark and service-dial groups; linked-hand 24-hour display; fixed engraved steel bezel
	\|}		\|}

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	! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Case !! Key distinction		! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Case !! Key distinction
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Reference:16550\|16550]] \|\| 1985–1989 \|\| Cal. 3085 \|\| 40mm SS, sapphire \|\| First sapphire; first independent-hour GMT; black or ~~Polar~~ white dial; cream/rail dial ~~paint-defect variant~~		\| [[Reference:16550\|16550]] \|\| 1985–1989 \|\| Cal. 3085 \|\| 40mm SS, sapphire \|\| First sapphire and first independent-hour GMT; black or white dial; documented cream and rail-dial variants
	\|}		\|}

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	! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Case !! Key distinction		! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Case !! Key distinction
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Reference:16570\|16570]] \|\| 1989–2010 \|\| Cal. 3185, then 3186 late \|\| 40mm SS, sapphire \|\| ~~Four internal versions: V1 tritium~~, ~~V2 Swiss-only~~, V3 Super-LumiNova~~, V4 no-holes case plus cal~~ 3186; black or ~~Polar~~ white; ~~SRR~~ military ~~limited edition 2007~~		\| [[Reference:16570\|16570]] \|\| 1989–2010 \|\| Cal. 3185, then 3186 late \|\| 40mm SS, sapphire \|\| Tritium, Luminova, and Super-LumiNova dial eras; late 3186 examples; black or white dial; documented military issue
	\|}		\|}

	== Current-production successors ==		== Current-production successors ==

	The ~~42mm~~ successors continue the line beyond the vintage and neo-vintage generations. Both keep the engraved solid-steel 24-hour bezel ~~the line has carried~~ since 1971; no Explorer II ~~has used~~ a Cerachrom insert.		The 42 mm successors continue the line beyond the vintage and neo-vintage generations. Both keep the engraved solid-steel 24-hour bezel used since 1971; Explorer II references have not adopted a Cerachrom insert.

	* [[Reference:216570\|216570]] (2011–2021) — 42mm case, cal. 3187, reintroduced orange 24-hour hand		* [[Reference:216570\|216570]] (2011–2021) — 42mm case, cal. 3187, reintroduced orange 24-hour hand
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	\| 1575 GMT \|\| 19,800 vph \|\| ~48 hr \|\| linked to hour hand \|\| 1655 \|\| Shared with GMT-Master 1675; 24-hour hand advances with hour hand, works as day-night indicator		\| 1575 GMT \|\| 19,800 vph \|\| ~48 hr \|\| linked to hour hand \|\| 1655 \|\| Shared with GMT-Master 1675; 24-hour hand advances with hour hand, works as day-night indicator
	\|-		\|-
	\| 3085 \|\| 28,800 vph \|\| 48 hr ~~(disputed: some sources say 42 hr)~~ \|\| independent-hour \|\| 16550 \|\| First Explorer II with ~~true~~ GMT; ~~shared with~~ GMT-Master II 16760 ~~"Fat Lady"; 6.3mm thick~~		\| 3085 \|\| 28,800 vph \|\| catalogues vary, about 42–48 hr \|\| independent-hour \|\| 16550 \|\| First Explorer II with independent-hour GMT; also used in GMT-Master II 16760
	\|-		\|-
	\| 3185 \|\| 28,800 vph \|\| ~50 hr \|\| independent-hour \|\| 16570 \|\| Successor to 3085 with minor revisions; ran through most of the 16570		\| 3185 \|\| 28,800 vph \|\| ~50 hr \|\| independent-hour \|\| 16570 \|\| Successor to 3085 with minor revisions; ran through most of the 16570
	\|-		\|-
	\| 3186 \|\| 28,800 vph \|\| ~50 hr \|\| independent-hour \|\| 16570 (late ~~2006+~~) \|\| ~~Added~~ blue Parachrom hairspring~~; fixed the 3185 GMT-hand wobble~~		\| 3186 \|\| 28,800 vph \|\| ~50 hr \|\| independent-hour \|\| 16570 (late run) \|\| Revised gear train and blue Parachrom hairspring
	\|}		\|}

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	Variant taxonomy across the line, in brief:		Variant taxonomy across the line, in brief:

	* 1655 Mark dials — Mk1 ~~(large crown)~~, ~~Mk2 (Frog Foot), Mk3 (Rail Dial), Mk4 (taller crown, T SWISS <25 T serif), Mk5 (sans-serif). Two~~ Beyeler service dials ~~also exist~~.		* 1655 Mark dials: collector groups commonly called Mk1 through Mk5, plus documented Beyeler service dials. Names and boundaries vary between sources.
	* 16550 cream / rail dial ~~— a subset of~~ Polar ~~white~~ dials aged to cream ~~through a factory paint defect Rolex later corrected. Rail-dial sub-~~variant ~~has~~ the C of CHRONOMETER ~~aligned vertically~~ over the C of CERTIFIED.		* 16550 cream / rail dial: some Polar dials aged to cream; the rail variant aligns the C of CHRONOMETER over the C of CERTIFIED.
	* 16570 Swiss-only ~~— about 5 percent of production, covering the~~ 1998–1999 ~~window when the dial carried Luminova lume but kept the older~~ SWISS ~~(not~~ SWISS MADE) printing.		* 16570 Swiss-only: a short Luminova period around 1998–1999 retained SWISS rather than SWISS MADE printing. Its share of total production is not established.

	== Cross-references ==		== Cross-references ==

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

2026-09-05T01:22:32Z

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

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:22, 5 September 2026
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	== Common entry points ==		== Common entry points ==

	~~{\| style~~="~~width:100%; border~~-~~collapse:separate; border~~-~~spacing:8px 0; margin:1em 0 1.5em 0;~~"		<div class="rp-grid">
	\|-		<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Identifying a vintage orange-hand Explorer II?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:1655\|1655]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">The Freccione. Five Mark dials plus two service dials, caliber 1575 GMT shared with the GMT-Master 1675.</div></div></div>
	~~\| style~~="~~width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border~~-~~left:3px solid #555; vertical~~-~~align:top;~~" ~~\| ''~~Identifying a vintage orange-hand Explorer II?''<br/>~~'''~~[[Reference:1655\|1655]]~~''' — the~~ Freccione. Five Mark dials plus two service dials, caliber 1575 GMT shared with the GMT-Master 1675.		<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Working from a Polar or cream dial?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:16550\|16550]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">First sapphire-crystal Explorer II, first true independent-hour GMT function, the cream / rail dial paint-defect sub-branch.</div></div></div>
	~~\| style~~="~~width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border~~-~~left:3px solid #555; vertical~~-~~align:top;~~" ~~\| ''~~Working from a Polar or cream dial?''<br/>~~'''~~[[Reference:16550\|16550]]~~''' — first~~ sapphire-crystal Explorer II, first true independent-hour GMT function, the cream / rail dial paint-defect sub-branch.		<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Cross-checking a long-run modern?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:16570\|16570]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">Twenty-one-year production run across four internal versions (V1 tritium through V4 caliber 3186), plus the 2007 SRR military limited edition.</div></div></div>
	~~\| style~~="~~width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border~~-~~left:3px solid #555; vertical~~-~~align:top;~~" ~~\| ''~~Cross-checking a long-run modern?''<br/>~~'''~~[[Reference:16570\|16570]]~~''' — twenty~~-one-year production run across four internal versions (V1 tritium through V4 caliber 3186), plus the 2007 SRR military limited edition.		</div>
	\|}

	== The first Explorer II (1971–1984) ==		== The first Explorer II (1971–1984) ==

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

2026-09-05T00:38:48Z

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

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:38, 5 September 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Explorer II}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Explorer II}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex Explorer II — Complete Reference Guide — ~~BezelBase~~		\|title=Rolex Explorer II — Complete Reference Guide — Rolexopedia
	\|description=Every Rolex Explorer II reference from the 1971 Freccione 1655 through the 16550, 16570, 216570, and current 226570. Production histories, dial variants, Mark taxonomies, movement specs, and collector context.		\|description=Every Rolex Explorer II reference from the 1971 Freccione 1655 through the 16550, 16570, 216570, and current 226570. Production histories, dial variants, Mark taxonomies, movement specs, and collector context.
	\|keywords=Rolex Explorer II, 1655, Freccione, 16550, cream dial, 16570, Polar, 216570, 226570, vintage Rolex, 24-hour GMT		\|keywords=Rolex Explorer II, 1655, Freccione, 16550, cream dial, 16570, Polar, 216570, 226570, vintage Rolex, 24-hour GMT

Admin: Structure: remove body heading duplicating {{DISPLAYTITLE:}} (renders as a second page title)

2026-08-09T23:50:05Z

Structure: remove body heading duplicating {{DISPLAYTITLE:}} (renders as a second page title)

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:50, 9 August 2026
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	}}		}}

	~~== Rolex Explorer II ==~~

	The Explorer II is the fixed-bezel 24-hour sibling to the Explorer I. Rolex launched it in 1971 for cave and polar use, and every Explorer II since has kept the 24-hour hand and bezel.		The Explorer II is the fixed-bezel 24-hour sibling to the Explorer I. Rolex launched it in 1971 for cave and polar use, and every Explorer II since has kept the 24-hour hand and bezel.

Admin: Fact fix: Explorer II successors have engraved steel bezels, not ceramic (Monochrome, Explorer II history 1655-226570)

2026-08-09T21:10:54Z

Fact fix: Explorer II successors have engraved steel bezels, not ceramic (Monochrome, Explorer II history 1655-226570)

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:10, 9 August 2026
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	== Current-production successors ==		== Current-production successors ==

	The 42mm ~~ceramic-era~~ successors continue the line beyond the vintage and neo-vintage generations.		The 42mm successors continue the line beyond the vintage and neo-vintage generations. Both keep the engraved solid-steel 24-hour bezel the line has carried since 1971; no Explorer II has used a Cerachrom insert.

	* [[Reference:216570\|216570]] (2011–2021) — 42mm case, cal. 3187, reintroduced orange 24-hour hand		* [[Reference:216570\|216570]] (2011–2021) — 42mm case, cal. 3187, reintroduced orange 24-hour hand

Admin: Text audit: voice, clarity, source links

2026-08-09T21:10:54Z

Text audit: voice, clarity, source links

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:10, 9 August 2026
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	== Cross-references ==		== Cross-references ==

	The Explorer II is the sibling of the [[Reference:explorer\|Explorer I]] line and shares calibers and case architecture with the [[Reference:gmt-master\|GMT-Master]] line. ~~The caliber~~ 1575 in the 1655 is the same ~~caliber 1575 used in~~ the GMT-Master 1675, configured differently: linked-hand on the Explorer II, independent-hour on the GMT-Master. The caliber 3085 ~~in the 16550~~ is the ~~same caliber 3085~~ that powered the GMT-Master II 16760.		The Explorer II is the sibling of the [[Reference:explorer\|Explorer I]] line and shares calibers and case architecture with the [[Reference:gmt-master\|GMT-Master]] line. Caliber 1575 in the 1655 is the same movement fitted to the GMT-Master 1675, configured differently: linked-hand on the Explorer II, independent-hour on the GMT-Master. The 16550's caliber 3085 is the movement that also powered the GMT-Master II 16760.

	== Related families ==		== Related families ==
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	* [[Reference:gmt-master\|GMT-Master]] — the shared-movement sibling. Caliber 1575 GMT in the 1655 and caliber 3085 in the 16550 carry over from the GMT-Master family.		* [[Reference:gmt-master\|GMT-Master]] — the shared-movement sibling. Caliber 1575 GMT in the 1655 and caliber 3085 in the 16550 carry over from the GMT-Master family.
	* [[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] — the parallel tool line. Same case-era cadence, same generation-by-generation movement progression.		* [[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] — the parallel tool line. Same case-era cadence, same generation-by-generation movement progression.


	== Shared references ==		== Shared references ==

Admin: Strip bold-for-emphasis from successor and dial-variant list labels (CLAUDE.md hard rule #8)

2026-08-08T21:46:02Z

Strip bold-for-emphasis from successor and dial-variant list labels (CLAUDE.md hard rule #8)

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:46, 8 August 2026
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	* [[Reference:216570\|216570]] (2011–2021) — 42mm case, cal. 3187, reintroduced orange 24-hour hand		* [[Reference:216570\|216570]] (2011–2021) — 42mm case, cal. 3187, reintroduced orange 24-hour hand
	* ~~'''~~226570~~'''~~ (2021–present) — cal. 3285, current production		* 226570 (2021–present) — cal. 3285, current production

	== Movement progression ==		== Movement progression ==
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	Variant taxonomy across the line, in brief:		Variant taxonomy across the line, in brief:

	* ~~'''~~1655 Mark dials~~'''~~ — Mk1 (large crown), Mk2 (Frog Foot), Mk3 (Rail Dial), Mk4 (taller crown, T SWISS <25 T serif), Mk5 (sans-serif). Two Beyeler service dials also exist.		* 1655 Mark dials — Mk1 (large crown), Mk2 (Frog Foot), Mk3 (Rail Dial), Mk4 (taller crown, T SWISS <25 T serif), Mk5 (sans-serif). Two Beyeler service dials also exist.
	* ~~'''~~16550 cream / rail dial~~'''~~ — a subset of Polar white dials aged to cream through a factory paint defect Rolex later corrected. Rail-dial sub-variant has the C of CHRONOMETER aligned vertically over the C of CERTIFIED.		* 16550 cream / rail dial — a subset of Polar white dials aged to cream through a factory paint defect Rolex later corrected. Rail-dial sub-variant has the C of CHRONOMETER aligned vertically over the C of CERTIFIED.
	* ~~'''~~16570 Swiss-only~~'''~~ — about 5 percent of production, covering the 1998–1999 window when the dial carried Luminova lume but kept the older SWISS (not SWISS MADE) printing.		* 16570 Swiss-only — about 5 percent of production, covering the 1998–1999 window when the dial carried Luminova lume but kept the older SWISS (not SWISS MADE) printing.

	== Cross-references ==		== Cross-references ==

Klaudiusz: Internal linking: shared-reference component links

2026-07-18T13:00:01Z

Internal linking: shared-reference component links

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:00, 18 July 2026
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	* [[Reference:gmt-master\|GMT-Master]] — the shared-movement sibling. Caliber 1575 GMT in the 1655 and caliber 3085 in the 16550 carry over from the GMT-Master family.		* [[Reference:gmt-master\|GMT-Master]] — the shared-movement sibling. Caliber 1575 GMT in the 1655 and caliber 3085 in the 16550 carry over from the GMT-Master family.
	* [[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] — the parallel tool line. Same case-era cadence, same generation-by-generation movement progression.		* [[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] — the parallel tool line. Same case-era cadence, same generation-by-generation movement progression.


			== Shared references ==

			* [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|Serial numbers by year]] — date any Explorer II from its serial
			* [[Reference:Movements\|Movement reference]] — the calibers used across the Explorer II line
			* [[Reference:Bracelets\|Bracelet & clasp guide]] — bracelet types, end-links, and clasp date codes

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

Admin: SEO: capitalize schema.org @type to "Article" for rich-result eligibility

2026-06-04T04:42:39Z

SEO: capitalize schema.org @type to "Article" for rich-result eligibility

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:42, 4 June 2026
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	\|description=Every Rolex Explorer II reference from the 1971 Freccione 1655 through the 16550, 16570, 216570, and current 226570. Production histories, dial variants, Mark taxonomies, movement specs, and collector context.		\|description=Every Rolex Explorer II reference from the 1971 Freccione 1655 through the 16550, 16570, 216570, and current 226570. Production histories, dial variants, Mark taxonomies, movement specs, and collector context.
	\|keywords=Rolex Explorer II, 1655, Freccione, 16550, cream dial, 16570, Polar, 216570, 226570, vintage Rolex, 24-hour GMT		\|keywords=Rolex Explorer II, 1655, Freccione, 16550, cream dial, 16570, Polar, 216570, 226570, vintage Rolex, 24-hour GMT
	\|type=~~article~~		\|type=Article
	}}		}}