Rolex Explorer II 216570 Review: 42 mm Buying Guide and 5 Things to Check

The Rolex Explorer II 216570 is one of the best-value steel sports Rolexes you can buy pre-owned. Made from 2011 to 2021, it has a 42 mm Oystersteel case, a fixed 24-hour bezel, a bright orange 24-hour hand and the Calibre 3187 movement, which can show a second time zone. It came with a black dial or the white "Polar" dial. Recent 216570s we've listed at ECI Jewelers were priced between about $9,500 and $10,900, well below the current 226570 at around $13,500 to $13,900. You give up the newer movement's longer power reserve and the latest case refinements, but you get the same size, the same look and the same everyday toughness for thousands less. The key is buying a clean example: check the case for heavy polishing, the bracelet for stretch, the 24-hour hand and date functions, and that the papers match the watch.

Below is our full review of the 216570: what it does well, what to know before buying, how it compares with the 226570, and the five things our specialists check on every pre-owned example.

In this guide

• What is the Rolex Explorer II 216570?
• How did the Explorer II evolve before the 216570?
• Is the Explorer II 216570 a good watch?
• Polar or black dial: which should you choose?
• How does the Explorer II's 24-hour hand work?
• What movement is in the Rolex 216570?
• Explorer II 216570 vs 226570: what changed?
• How much is a Rolex 216570 in 2026?
• 5 things to check before buying a pre-owned 216570
• Who should buy the Explorer II 216570?
• How does it compare with the Explorer and GMT-Master II?
• How should you care for a 216570?
• Frequently asked questions

What is the Rolex Explorer II 216570?

Rolex introduced the 216570 in 2011, the 40th anniversary of the original Explorer II reference 1655. It was a major update: the case grew from 40 mm to 42 mm, the large orange 24-hour hand returned as a nod to the 1655, and the dial gained Rolex's Chromalight luminescence, which glows blue for longer in the dark. It stayed in production for about ten years until Rolex replaced it with the 226570 in 2021.

Specification	Explorer II 216570
Production	2011 to 2021
Case	42 mm Oystersteel, Twinlock screw-down crown
Bezel	Fixed, brushed steel, engraved 24-hour scale
Dials	Black or white "Polar", Chromalight luminescence
Movement	Calibre 3187, automatic, Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex shock absorbers
Power reserve	About 48 hours
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds, date, 24-hour hand, independently adjustable hour hand
Water resistance	100 m (330 ft)
Bracelet	Oyster bracelet with Oysterlock safety clasp

How did the Explorer II evolve before the 216570?

The 216570 is the fourth major chapter of a model that began in 1971. Knowing the lineage helps you understand why collectors care about details like the color of the 24-hour hand.

• Reference 1655 (1971): the original Explorer II, built for cave explorers and scientists who could lose track of day and night. It introduced the fixed 24-hour bezel and a large orange 24-hour hand. Its unusual look made it a slow seller at the time; today it's a sought-after vintage piece.
• Reference 16550 (mid 1980s): a 40 mm update with a sapphire crystal, a smaller red-tipped 24-hour hand and, for the first time, an independently adjustable hour hand, which turned the Explorer II into a true second-time-zone watch. It also introduced the white dial.
• Reference 16570 (late 1980s to 2011): the long-running 40 mm model, available in black and white dials, with a red 24-hour hand. Slim, light and understated, it's still popular with buyers who prefer a smaller case.
• Reference 216570 (2011 to 2021): the 40th anniversary model. A larger 42 mm case, the return of the big orange 24-hour hand from the 1655, Chromalight lume and a new movement.

That return of the orange hand is a big part of the 216570's appeal: it connects a modern, robust watch directly to the original 1971 design.

Is the Explorer II 216570 a good watch?

Yes, and it's one of the most underrated watches Rolex has made. While the Submariner, GMT-Master II and Daytona take the attention, the Explorer II has quietly built a loyal following among collectors who value substance over hype. Here's our honest take after handling many of them.

What we like

• A real tool watch. The Explorer II was designed for explorers working in caves and polar regions, where telling day from night isn't obvious. That purpose shows in the design: maximum legibility, no decoration for its own sake.
• Genuine dual-time use. The 24-hour hand can track a second time zone, making it a practical travel watch, not just a date watch with an extra hand.
• The Polar dial. Few Rolex sports watches offer a white dial, and the Polar's black-outlined hands and markers make it one of the most legible watches Rolex has produced.
• Value. Unlike the Daytona or GMT-Master II, the Explorer II rarely trades at big premiums, so you get a steel Rolex sports watch with a real heritage for considerably less.
• Understated looks. The brushed steel bezel doesn't flash like ceramic. It's a watch that earns attention quietly.

What to know before buying

• It's a 42 mm watch. It has real wrist presence. Most owners find it balanced once on, but if you have a smaller wrist, try one or consider the older 40 mm 16570.
• The older movement. The Calibre 3187 has about 48 hours of power reserve, compared with about 70 on the current 226570. If you rotate watches, you'll reset it more often.
• Two time zones, not three. Because the bezel is fixed, it can't track a third time zone the way a rotating GMT-Master II bezel can.

Polar or black dial: which should you choose?

Both dials share the same case, movement and functions, so the choice is purely about character.

• Polar (white): the most distinctive Explorer II. The orange 24-hour hand pops against the white dial, and the black surrounds on the hands and markers give it a crisp, almost floating look. It's the dial most collectors picture, and it tends to be slightly more sought after.
• Black: more traditional and understated, closer to the look of other Rolex sports watches. The orange hand still adds a flash of color, and it's easy to wear with anything.

Our advice: choose the Polar if you want the Explorer II to stand apart from your other watches, and the black if you want one watch that does everything quietly.

How does the Explorer II's 24-hour hand work?

The orange arrow-tipped hand makes one full rotation every 24 hours and points to the fixed 24-hour scale on the bezel. You can use it in two ways:

• To tell day from night. Set it in sync with the main hour hand and it shows whether 7 o'clock is morning or evening. This was its original purpose for cave and polar explorers.
• To track a second time zone. Set the 24-hour hand to your home time, then pull the crown to the first position and jump the main hour hand forward or back in one-hour steps to local time. The watch keeps running and the date follows the local hour hand.

That independent hour hand is what makes the 216570 genuinely useful for travel: you change local time in seconds when you land, without stopping the watch or losing your home time.

What movement is in the Rolex 216570?

The 216570 uses the Rolex Calibre 3187, a self-winding mechanical movement that made its debut in this watch. It was designed and built by Rolex and certified as a chronometer.

• Parachrom hairspring: made from a paramagnetic alloy, it resists magnetic fields and temperature changes better than a traditional steel hairspring, and is far more resistant to shocks.
• Paraflex shock absorbers: Rolex's own shock protection system, which helps the movement withstand knocks during everyday wear.
• Independent hour hand: the hour hand jumps in one-hour steps without stopping the watch, so you can change local time while the minutes, seconds and 24-hour hand keep running.
• Power reserve: about 48 hours, enough to sit off the wrist over a night or a weekday, but not a full weekend.

The 3187 has a strong reputation for reliability. When we inspect a 216570, we check timekeeping on a timegrapher and confirm that every function, including the hour-hand jump and the date change, works as it should. If a watch is due for service, we tell you before you buy.

Explorer II 216570 vs 226570: what changed?

In 2021 Rolex replaced the 216570 with the 226570. From a few feet away they look almost identical, and both are 42 mm. The differences are mostly inside and in the details.

Feature	216570 (2011 to 2021)	226570 (2021 onward)
Movement	Calibre 3187	Calibre 3285 with Chronergy escapement
Power reserve	About 48 hours	About 70 hours
Case and bracelet	Original 42 mm design	Refined case and lug proportions, updated bracelet
Dial and hands	Black or Polar	Black or Polar, with updated dial and hand details
ECI asking price	About $9,500 to $10,900 (recent listings)	About $13,500 to $13,900 (in stock, Oct 2026)

Which should you buy? Choose the 226570 if you want the latest movement, the longer power reserve and the refined finishing, and the price difference doesn't matter. Choose the 216570 if you want the same size and look for several thousand dollars less, and you're happy with a 48-hour reserve. For most buyers focused on value, a clean 216570 is the smarter purchase.

How much is a Rolex 216570 in 2026?

The 216570s we've listed recently have been priced between about $9,500 and $10,900, depending on year, dial and completeness. Our most recent example, a 2020 black dial with box and papers, was listed at $10,900. Because the 216570 is discontinued, there's no retail price to anchor against; its value depends entirely on the individual watch. These factors move the price most:

• Year: later examples, closer to 2021, generally cost more.
• Dial: the Polar typically commands a small premium over black.
• Box and papers: a complete set with matching serial numbers adds value and makes resale easier.
• Condition: unpolished cases with sharp edges are worth more than heavily polished ones.
• Service history: a recent service adds confidence, especially on earlier watches approaching ten years old.

Prices change with the market, so treat these as a guide and ask us for current availability.

5 things to check before buying a pre-owned 216570

These are the checks our specialists run on every Explorer II before we list it.

1. Case and bezel finishing. The lugs should have sharp edges and the brushed surfaces should be even. Rounded lugs and blurred brushing mean heavy polishing, which lowers value. The fixed bezel engraving should be crisp, not softened.
2. Bracelet and clasp. Hold the bracelet horizontally: excessive sag means stretched links. The Oysterlock clasp should close with a firm, precise click and the safety latch should engage cleanly.
3. The 24-hour hand, hour hand and date. Jump the hour hand through midnight to confirm the date changes cleanly, check the 24-hour hand tracks correctly, and make sure the crown screws down securely.
4. Papers and serial numbers. The serial on the rehaut at 6 o'clock and the reference between the lugs must match the warranty card exactly. Our Rolex serial number lookup shows where to find them.
5. Dial and hands. Look for even lume and crisp printing. Service-replacement hands or dials are common on older watches and aren't a problem on their own, but they should be disclosed and priced accordingly.

For the full authentication process, read our guide on how to tell if a Rolex is real.

Who should buy the Explorer II 216570?

From our conversations with buyers in the showroom, the 216570 tends to suit three kinds of people best:

• Frequent travelers who want a practical way to keep home time on the wrist without a busy bezel.
• Collectors building a sports watch lineup who already own a Submariner or GMT-Master II and want something less common with its own history.
• Value-focused first-time Rolex buyers who want a 42 mm steel sports Rolex with box and papers for well under the price of a current model.

It's less suited to someone who wants a dress watch, a small and slim watch, or a watch to track three time zones. In those cases, a Datejust, an Explorer 36 or a GMT-Master II may be the better fit, and we're happy to help you compare them.

How does it compare with the Explorer and GMT-Master II?

• Explorer (36 or 40 mm): time only, no date and no 24-hour hand, with the classic 3-6-9 dial. Smaller, simpler and more discreet. See our guide to Explorer I vs Explorer II.
• GMT-Master II (40 mm): a rotating two-color ceramic bezel that can track a third time zone, plus more metal and bracelet options. More colorful and recognizable, and usually more expensive. See GMT-Master II vs Explorer II.
• Explorer II 16570 (40 mm): the 216570's predecessor, slimmer and lighter, with a red 24-hour hand. A good choice if 42 mm is too large.

If you want GMT functionality without the colorful bezel or the premium of a GMT-Master II, the Explorer II 216570 is hard to beat.

How should you care for a 216570?

The Explorer II is built for hard use, but a little care keeps it in the condition that protects its value:

• Screw the crown down every time after setting the time or date. The water resistance depends on it.
• Rinse it in fresh water after swimming in the sea or a pool, and wipe the bracelet to keep dirt out of the links.
• Avoid unnecessary polishing. Light scratches on the brushed case and bezel are part of a tool watch's character. Repeated polishing softens the lines and lowers value.
• Service it when needed. Rolex has extended service intervals for its modern movements to roughly ten years, depending on use. Signs it needs attention sooner include losing or gaining time noticeably, a short power reserve or a crown that feels rough.
• Keep the box, card and booklets together and stored safely. A complete set is easier to sell and worth more.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Rolex 216570 discontinued?

Rolex discontinued the Explorer II 216570 in 2021, when it introduced the 226570. It was in production for about ten years, from 2011.

Is the Explorer II 216570 too big?

It's a 42 mm watch with real presence, but the flat bezel and brushed finish keep it from feeling bulky, and most men with average wrists find it comfortable. If you prefer something smaller, the 40 mm 16570 or the Explorer 36 are worth a look.

What's the power reserve of the 216570?

About 48 hours from its Calibre 3187 movement. The current 226570's Calibre 3285 offers about 70 hours.

Can the Explorer II track three time zones?

No. It shows local time with the main hands and a second time zone with the 24-hour hand. Because the bezel is fixed, it can't track a third zone the way a GMT-Master II with a rotating bezel can.

Does the Explorer II 216570 hold its value?

It has held its value steadily, supported by its discontinued status, the popularity of the Polar dial and its lower price than the GMT-Master II. As with any watch, values move with the market, so buy one because you want to wear it and keep the box and papers.

What's the difference between the 216570 and the 16570?

The 216570 is 42 mm against the 16570's 40 mm, has a larger orange 24-hour hand instead of a red one, Chromalight lume and the newer Calibre 3187 movement. The 16570 is slimmer and lighter, and usually costs less.

Does the Rolex 216570 have a ceramic bezel?

No. The Explorer II has always used a fixed steel bezel with an engraved 24-hour scale, which is part of its understated look and very resistant to everyday wear.

Is the Explorer II a good first Rolex?

Yes. It's durable, practical, versatile and less common than a Submariner, and the 216570 offers that at a more accessible price than the current model.